Where does the name Raindog come from?

3 things, really. First, I have a boxer/pitbull mix who was born in January of 2006,
one of the wettest months I'd ever seen! Her name is Rain.  Also I think all Seattle dogs qualify as "Raindogs". And finally, there's a really great Tom Waits album of the same name. You should check it out. It's brilliant!

What kind of animals will you photograph?

Any kind at all as long as they're big enough to be seen in a photo!  I've shot newts and iguanas and snakes and cats and would love the chance to get to know your chicken or rabbit or horse or whatever!

How do I book a photo shoot?

Just get in touch with me via email (raindogphoto@gmail.com) or telephone (206.351.5355) and we'll set something up that works for us both.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept cash, checks payable to Raindog Photography, money orders and most credit cards (via PayPal). If you want to pay with a credit card I will email you a PayPal invoice and you can go online to pay it. In the case of a credit card order, I will accept the deposit at the time of booking, then send you another invoice for the balance payable just before the photo shoot.

What is the deposit for and when is it paid?

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking in order to confirm our shoot. It insures against no-shows so I can concentrate 100% on taking great pictures for you!  When I receive your deposit I'll contact you and we can consider your photo shoot confirmed and you'll get first priority if we have to reschedule for any reason. Your check or money order can be mailed to: Raindog Photography, 3518 Fremont Ave. N. #283, Seattle, WA 98103 or if you'd like to pay with a credit card I can email you a PayPal invoice for it.  Your balance will be due at the start of your photo shoot.

What is the difference between the two kinds of photo shoots?
Which one should I choose?

Well, that depends on what type of pet you have and what kind of temperament they have!  For most active dogs, I would recommend booking a Full Photo Shoot.  That's a 2-hour session at two of your favorite places such as a neighborhood park and at your home where your dog is most likely to be comfortable and acting himself.  I do not recommend choosing an off-leash dog park for our photo shoot as it's VERY hard to get any one-on-one time there for good results.

For elderly or less active dogs and most cats and small pets, I would go with the Mini Photo Shoot. The Mini is a 1-hour session at one location of your choice, often your home. There's no traveling involved and will be virtually stress-free for shy animals.

Do you shoot in color or black&white?

Yes, both! I use a digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera for all of my photo shoots.  I love the flexibility I have with the digital format, the almost unlimited number of photos I can capture with it, and the ability to switch back and forth between color and black&white. Before our shoot we will discuss what you'd like to aim for aesthetically and what kind of mood you'd like to capture.

Do you have a studio?

I don't do portrait work in a studio for a couple of reasons.  First, I think that animals are most comfortable in familiar surroundings and likely to be acting like their usual goofy and adorable selves.  That's excactly what I want to capture during our photo shoot!  Also, I feel that the flashes and studio lights involved are a source of stress for some pets and I'd rather that this was a fun experience for them and something they'd be happy to do again.  Lastly, I just really like to be outside!

How does the "Puppy Package" work?

Aahhh, puppies ... so much fun and so much work! And they grow up so fast!  The Puppy Package basically a series of three Mini Photo Shoots scheduled about 2-3 months apart. It gives us a chance to capture not only the physical development of your pup, but also the development of her maturity into a "real dog".  In the case of a Puppy Package, a 50% deposit is due before we confirm the shoots, then the remaining balance can either be paid at the first shoot or split between the three shoots, whichever is more convenient for you.  We can schedule all three shoots at once, or do them as we go.  Included in the Puppy Package are three free 8x10 prints, one from each shoot.

What if it's raining on the day of our shoot?

I have no problem shooting in light drizzle but if it's raining cats and dogs, it's best for us to reschedule. My equipment doesn't fare well in water!  If it's forecast to pour on the day of our shoot, I'll give you a call right away and we'll see what we think.

What if I have to cancel or reschedule our shoot?

I require 48 hours notice before our scheduled photo shoot if you want to cancel or reschedule, otherwise your deposit will be forfeit. Outside of that 48 hours, feel free to rearrange as you see fit. I'd be glad to work with you to make sure we're meeting at a time that works well for you!

What is your refund policy?

I want this to be an enjoyable experience for you and your pet and I want you to be 100% satisfied with the results. If you are not satisfied with your photos I will gladly either schedule a reshoot or refund to you the entire amount of the shoot.

What is the contract for?

I have a contract for us both to sign which lays out my terms, protects my rights to the images resultant from the shoot and is basically necessary for me to do business.  The contract is signed just prior to the photo shoot and no shoot can happen without it.  If you would like a copy to view before your shoot, let me know and I will happily email or mail you one.

How do I view my proofs?

When your proofs are ready to view I will email you a link for online perusal.  Feel free to forward your link to friends and family to get their opinions!  If you don't have access to a computer I can have a contact sheet of all of the proofs printed for you and either mail it to you or drop it by for you to look at.  Please be aware that the images on the contact sheet are quite small and may need some magnification to view properly.

How can I order prints?

When you have decided on images you want made into prints you can contact me via telephone or email and let me know which ones you like and what sizes you'd prefer and I'll get them made. Please allow 1-2 weeks for prints to be made and possibly more time for framing and other products. When the prints are complete
I can either mail them to you or drop them by your home or office.

Can I order prints again at a later date?

Yes! I keep each photo shoot on file indefinitely so you can reorder whenever you want!

Can I have my prints framed?

Of course! We can discuss framing options when we meet or after you've decided on the prints you'd like. Prices will vary depending on materials and image sizes.

Can I purchase image files from my shoot?

I do offer high resolution digital files for sale at the same size/price schedule as prints, so if you'd like to purchase files that you could print out at 5x7 or smaller, I'd charge you the 5x7 print price for each. If you're interested in getting low resolution files to share with friends and family or to post on your Facebook, etc.
I can include one CDR free with any print order. Just ask!