FAQs

Frequently asked

Where abouts are you located?

I have my modest little studio set up in my home, with plenty of room to let kids be kids and, of course, dogs be dogs.

What should my kids wear?

If you have seen the vintage style of portraiture I do, anything old school. Keep the T-shirts with bold prints and vivid colours for another time. Think plain and nothing that is too modern or considered too trendy. We can go over wardrobe options in a pre-shoot consultation. And don’t forget – I have collected a few vintage-styled clothing over the years, so we’re bound to come up with something that looks amazing in the photos.

I don’t have to be in the photos too, do I?

Well, not if you are absolutely opposed to the idea – But – how many times have you been photographed by anyone, let alone a professional photographer? How are you going to be remembered by your kids? Besides the selfies on your phone, do you actually exist in photos? I know, I am guilty of feeling yuck in front of a camera too, but I look back at photos of me I previously thought were pretty ordinary at the time, but I am glad I have them now.

We can discuss how you can prepare for the possibility of being in a few shots with your kids or dog (or both) during our pre-shoot consultation. You’ll thank me.

Why kids & Dogs?

Yes, I know. It’s an age-old saying, “Never work with kids and animals.” The simple answer is that from the time I started earning some money for my photos, back in the late 2000’s, and photographing nearly every genre you can imagine, kids and dogs gave me the most joy. And if you get joy from your craft, it doesn’t seem like work, and you keep doing it, and keep learning about it, and you become a master at it. I love what I do and I get a shot of excitement when I think about creating timeless artwork of dogs and kids.

Why are your portraits priced higher than regular family photos?

Hound & Heir portraits aren’t just snapshots — they’re heirlooms.
Each image is carefully designed, styled, and hand-finished to become a lasting piece of art that tells your family’s story. Every session includes:

Personal styling and creative direction
Professional retouching with a natural fine art finish
Museum-grade printing and archival materials
Optional hair styling and light makeup (for age-appropriate polish)

Your portraits will only grow more meaningful as time passes — and that’s something you can’t put a cheap price tag on.

What does “Age appropriate makeup” mean?

Basically, mascara and lipgloss for all girls, and possibly a bit more when we get into the teen years. It is totally optional, but just those two products help make the eyes pop. I don’t believe in doing a full face of makeup, especially on the younger kids, but it is part of making the girls feel special on the day.

My dog is a bit of a crazy pooch. is that going to be a problem?

It’s a great idea to introduce me to your dog ahead of the photo shoot. But rest assured, we block out the whole day for the shoot, so it might just be an exercise in patience. It is a good idea to try and get some of the zoomies out of their system prior to the session start. You can arrive here a little earlier than scheduled, have a quick re-introduction, and then you might go for a quick walk while finalize the setting up. You know your dog and his ways, so I’m happy to work in with you. If, by any chance, he’s just not diggin’ it that day, I’ll be happy to re-schedule – at no cost to you.

I’m a cat person & I would love some beautiful shots of her. Is that possible?

Although I specialize in dogs, I would be thrilled to photograph your feline. We can discuss your cat’s personality and her possible level of comfort, being in a strange location, with dog smells in the vicinity, during our pre-shoot consultation. For a small fee, I may be able to set up a mobile studio in your home, if your cat is being cat-like, and wants to dictate the terms of the shoot. I’m happy to work in with you.

Your portraits are beautiful, but what if I can’t afford them all right now?

You’re definitely not alone in feeling that way — most of our clients fall in love with more portraits than they planned to (it happens every time!). That’s exactly why we offer flexible, interest-free payment plans through our secure Stripe system.

You can start with as little as a 30% deposit and pay the rest off monthly over 3–6 months — no fees, no stress, and no waiting to place your order. We’ll design your artwork, get everything ready, and deliver it as soon as your final payment clears.

The best part? You still get the full, luxurious Hound & Heir experience — styling, pampering, portraits, and all — right from day one.