As you may remember, last month I attended a fantastic workshop by Seth Casteel, the founder of Second Chance Photos. Second Chance Photos is a non-profit that is dedicated to helping shelter pets find homes through photography. A good photograph can make the difference in the life of a homeless animal – better photos help animals find homes.
After the workshop, I emailed Seth to see if he’d be willing to do an interview for my blog. He graciously agreed.
Below, you’ll find Part I of our email interview, which included a few questions from me as well as some from you. Today, learn about how Seth got started as a photographer, how he started working with shelter pets, and some practical tips. I’ll be sharing Part II of the interview next week.
How did you get started as a pet photographer?
I’ve always loved animals and photography, but two things in my life launched this new career path. I adopted a dog from the local shelter and started taking snapshots of her for fun. I really enjoyed the unique challenge of working with dogs as well as the rewards of capturing a special moment – a glimpse of her personality. About the same time, I heard about some kittens that were found on the movie studio lot where I worked. The kittens needed to find forever homes so I volunteered to photograph them to help catch the attention of potential adopters. All of the kittens found homes. From there, I began volunteering at the local shelter. Then landed a private client. Landed a magazine cover from that first private client shoot. And then wheeeeeeeeeeeee.
How did that work lead you to taking photos of shelter pets?
Shelter pets started it all. When I first started volunteering, I didn’t realize pet photography would become my career though. It was a nice surprise!
What is the biggest difference you find between shooting rescue and non-rescue dogs? Have you found that certain types of dogs are easier to photograph?
Zero difference. I’ve worked with thousands of dogs – a wide range of breeds, ages, backgrounds and personality-types. Some of the most photogenic and cooperative dogs have been shelter dogs and some of the most challenging “models” have been pets with homes. You just never know. 🙂
What do you think makes a dog more photogenic?
There is a great picture for every dog – you just have to find a way to figure out what that picture is.
Do you have any tips for taking photos of “ugly” dogs or dogs that may not be quite as cute on the surface? (I admit, this one’s not from me – I have puppy blindness and think all dogs are cute.)
Both photography and the appearance of dogs are subjective – so it really depends on who is viewing the photos. The key to any good dog photograph is emotion. If you can capture emotion in a photo, no matter what the subject looks like, you’ve got a winning shot that people can relate to.
Do you have any tips for handling a photo shoot with a fearful dog?
Patience. If you try to force a photo shoot on a fearful dog, the photos are going to be negative. Try to understand what the fear is – the camera? you? the world? At some point, you may just have to put on a long lens and hide in the bushes. 🙂
It’s both refreshing and inspiring to talk to Seth… I can’t wait to share Part II of the interview with you next week! Stay tuned (and if you have any additional questions for Seth, please feel free to share them in the comments).
Oh, and don’t mind Bella… she thinks she’s some sort of hotshot reporter now that we’ve scored this interview.
Great interview. Love that picture of Bella! LOL!
Ok, confession time. While I agree wholeheartedly that good photos make adoptions more likely, I don't get too excited by photography tips posts.
I'm a bad photographer and I expect I'll always be a bad photographer and I don't want to learn one more new skill.
But Seth Casteel said something in his reply to the question about "ugly dogs" that really hit me between the eyes. It's about capturing emotion. And when I take pictures of Honey, I should be thinking about the emotion and consider how photographing her strengthens (or weakens) our bond.
It isn't really about the camera or the image at all. It's about communicating something about our relationship. And if she's frightened in the posed pictures I take of her, I'm really doing something wrong.
And when Seth takes a picture of a shelter animal, he's trying to convey something about a potential relationship. Fabulous idea and much more interesting to me than F-stops and lens styles.
Great interview so far. One that I'll be thinking about for a while. Look forward to reading the rest of it.
Really nice piece AJ! I have to agree that capturing a dog's emotion is so key to a good picture, but sometimes capturing just the right moment can be good too. (I'm thinking of one I took of Lady standing in the sun looking off in the distance.)
Thanks also for including some links to your previous post. I had been looking for that. I have offered to take pictures of the dogs in my rescue and wanted to review the information again. That truly was such an awesome piece.
I love Seth's advice on working with fearful dogs. I think Daisy would prefer the long lens and hide in the bushes photographer to any other.
Can';t wait for part two!
Bassetmomma – Thank you!
Pamela – Conveying something about a potential relationship is a brilliant way to look at it. A great photo of an adoptable animal has that hook – the potential adopter looks at that dog and sees the possibility for a bond, rather than just an animal in need of a home. That was another thing I really liked about Seth's workshop – when he was teaching us, he didn't spent too much time focusing on equipment and technical points, but showed us how to develop a rapport and capture that emotion.
Mel – Thanks! I think you're right about capturing that perfect moment. Sometimes I think I just get lucky when I manage to get that perfect shot of Bella. (And I can totally see you hiding in the bushes to photograph Daisy!)
That's awesome that you're going to take some photos of the dogs in your rescue… I can't wait to hear how it goes!
Those are some great questions (even the "ugly" one). To echo Pamela (and Seth), the emotion captured in a pet photo is what really makes them special. It's so hard to get that, though, when one is focused on getting that perfectly posed shot (with perfect lighting, etc.). It is also why my outtakes of the boys are largely more endearing than my contrived shots.
Great stuff here. Looking forward to part 2!
One of my former editors does these kinds of photos now, and I'm always amazed at how awesome the pix are … dogs, cats, etc. What a rewarding way to spend the day. My biggest photo issue with the dogs is that my camera has SUCH a shutter delay between me pressing the button and the picture actually being taken. So frustrating.
Fantastic interview. I think this is a brilliant idea. A shelter dog may be passed over if the photograph has a cluttered background and barely shows the dog in any light, much less conveys the pup's personality. Through Seth's great photos, a potential adopter is more likely to see something in the eyes or expression that makes a connection, and hopefully in the end, an adoption. Love it!
I love that there are talented people out there like Seth Casteel who donate their talent to such a worthy cause. He hits the nail on the head when he speaks of emotion. It oozes out of every dog — and thankfully, he's talented enough to capture that emotion on film. It's an amazing thing, photographs, how they can almost speak…
Thanks for writing this series and for sharing what you're learning from Seth with the rest of us. Very much looking forward to part 2.
And thanks as well for motivating me to go do photo sessions at my local shelters and rescues. I have another shoot scheduled for tomorrow in fact, so your question about working with fearful dogs is timely. (There is a dog at this shelter that no one has been able to get a picture of. I was planning to hide behind a sheet since last I tried to get her picture and Seth just confirmed that may be the only option for this particular dog.)
While I actually do want to get better as a photographer (a passion my father instilled in me as a kid), I also agree that some of the best photos are those that capture the spirit of the subject more than just perfect lighting and focus.
Bella ELLE Cool J…that's what you gots there…PS HAppy NEW YEaR EVERYONE!!
What a great post! Thanks for sharing! George and George huh? That is sooo funny!!!!
Licks,
Ruthie
What the woof?! There's no such thing as an ugly dog? (I must have beer doggles on eh?) I definitely love the idea of capturing the emotion rather than the image. Koly is not always a ham for the camera, but when he is the pictures are brilliant (even when they're taken by me on my snapshot camera!). When he's not feeling it, all the pictures look like he's pissed off. Because he is.
Elizabeth – That's true. Sometimes those outtakes are really the best ones. Thank goodness for digital cameras and being able to take so many more shots than back when I was using film!
Roxanne – That would definitely be frustrating. I wonder why there's such a delay. I do use a continuous shot on mine to take several photos for every button push, which might help a little?
Peggy – So true. I think it's so important to let that personality shine through.
Laurie – I agree. I think that's why I'm such a photo nerd sometimes. I love the stories they tell and the emotion that can come through. Thank goodness for people like Seth putting their talent to good use!
Leslie – It makes me so happy to hear that you've started to do shelter photo sessions locally! That's really fantastic. I hope that using the long lens and hiding helps you capture a shot of that fearful pup.
Sophie – Thanks for stopping by. Bella does think she's pretty cool now. 😉
K9 Katastrophie – You'd think I would have been more creative, right? 🙂
Kolchak Puggle – I think I have beer doggles (LOL) too.
So much to learn there. Over all the years of fostering and photographing I have found that certain of my subjects are easier than others; I'm still trying to get some more perfect shots of the current ones! I admire people who have it down to a science.
Kirsten – Me too. I wish I was that skilled!
PS – That award post I was telling you about is up. Happy to pass it on to such a wonderful blog. It's been a treasure discovering 'you' this year and we wish you lots of love and happiness in the next. 🙂 ♥
I can't take a good picture of Delilah if my life depended on it. Had I based our decision on the photo on petfinder, well let's just say she wouldn't be living with us. 🙂
Leslie – Thank you so much. You're such a sweetheart and I'm glad we connected this year as well. 🙂
jodistone – LOL. Good point – thank goodness not everyone judges a dog by the photo! 🙂
That is such a terrific interview. It is so true, that good pictures do help find the animals a home a lot easier.I know when I look at pictures of kitties or doggies in the shelters, I will look for the good pictures to post about on my blog. This guy sounds really terrific. I am going to take look at his site for sure. Thanks for the info.
Marg – It's true. I do the same thing when looking for adoptables to post on my blog. Seth's site is great and packed full of info – I hope it's helpful to you!
Great interview and so wonderful to read about Seth – what a great way to get Shelter pets noticed! Love that picture of Bella, so cute she'll be making a wonderful reporter in the future :))
I'm always taking photos of Ty and Buster as we travel around the country and I think the "recovering accountant" in me wants to set up the perfect shot. The problem is, few posed shots ever turn out perfect with the dogs … I find the ones where they're running, playing, hiking or sleeping are much more interesting. This interview will be a good reminder to go with the spontaneous shots and let go of my desire to "arrange" the dogs.
Bella, you're already a star!
I love the answers! I must have missed the post about the questions, and I'm sorry for that.
I'd like to know what he thinks are ideal conditions for photographing dogs, both as pets and as shelter dogs.
Bella IS a great reporter. She should write for the CU Condor 😉 Great interview!!!
This is such a great interview, I really enjoyed reading the answers to the questions, especially about capturing the emotions!
Most shelter pet photos are pretty bad. Poor lighting, cheap cameras etc.. A good photo will make a potential adopter stop and look. Seth is very kind to donate his talent and time to help these pups get a new home 😀
cate – She has a nose for news. 😉
Amy – Good point. It's hard to let go of that control sometimes.
houndstooth – Great question!
Wes – Perhaps she'll get her start at the West Beverly Blaze first…
jen – Thank you!
Karen – I agree. Seth rocks.
What a great photo!! I always admire photographers who can so engage dogs, but especially when those dogs are in the highly stressful situation of shelter life. Some move so quickly and won't settle – it takes experience and I think a kind heart to keep their attention long enough to get a good shot.
Mary – I agree. It definitely requires a kind and patient person who is willing to give the dog a chance to get comfortable.
How did I miss this post? Great interview!! I LOVE photographing animals (much more than humans!) They have no self consciousness – sometimes all it takes is a squeaker and a few treats to make them happy! I've photographer pets, kids and families .. . hands down PETS win!!! He had some excellent tips!
Thanks, Julie! 🙂