Chicago's North Shore
Pet Portraits
by a local photographer
Beautiful captures of your beloved pet created where they are happiest.
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Professional photographer Tiara Ariel will meet you and your pet where they feel most safe and comfortable to be themselves and show their true personality: in your yard, a well-lit room in your home, or their favorite outdoor space - like a park or walking trail.
Photoshoot in the location of your choice
Full access to an online album where you can download and save all the raw image files from the shoot
Your favorites retouched to perfection as print-ready final image files
Authentic captures of your pet in natural or homey settings, not a stuffy studio where they're more likely to feel confused, scared, or shy
Natural lighting - which means no flashing lights in their face (the camera shutter noise and Tiara's presence is enough for them to warm up to)
No watermarks - you get unbranded images of your pet (which is what you're paying for)
Meet your Photographer, Tiara Ariel:
Tiara has a Bachelor's degree in Photography, and over 18 years of experience behind the camera and editing photos. She is a Chicagoland native, and moved back after finishing her degree. Prior to starting her pet portrait business, Tiara worked as a professional product photographer and retoucher for a large home goods company, where she frequently photographed dog and cat models in a professional photo studio setting showcasing the pet products.
Ever since Tiara was a kid, she has always had either a dog, a cat, or both. She loves being in nature, and spending time with her fur-kiddos. She currently has a 14-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat, and a 7-year-old Native American Indian Dog. She is an introverted sensitive soul that animals seem to gravitate towards, feeling safe enough in her presence to come out of their shell.
Tiara has gained a great deal of experience working with animals and knows how to speak their language. Any professional photographer will tell you that what makes a photoshoot yield great results is when the photographer knows how to make their subject feel comfortable enough to be themselves.
Tiara's pets have been with her through thick and thin, and they mean the world to her. She has rehabbed both of her pets from multiple injuries and illnesses, feeds them the best of the best diets, and takes them both exclusively to an internationally-renowned integrative vet for their healthcare. Tiara understands that your pets are full-fledged members of your family, and deserve to be treated and represented as such.
Some Great Portraits from Previous Photoshoots
Some Great Portraits from Previous Photoshoots
Answers to Your Photo-Session Questions:
Answers to Your Photo-Session Questions:
If you have a question about booking your own individual pet portrait photoshoot session that you don't see listed, you can email Tiara @ tiara.ariel.photos@gmail.com
When is the photoshoot fee due?
The pet portrait session fee is due at the end of the photoshoot. Payment must be processed in order for you to receive your digital image files after Tiara finishes the photos and puts your online album together.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payments can be made through Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle.
Paypal: @tiaralavitt or click here
Venmo: @tiarariel or click here
Zelle: email look-up → tiara.ariel.photos@gmail.com
What is the turn-around time for my finished photos?
Typical turn-around times for your finished image files is 1 week post-photoshoot. Heavier session seasons may be up to 2 weeks. You can confirm turn-around time with Tiara once your shoot has been scheduled.
Do I need to be present the whole time?
Yes! For safety reasons, your pet should never be left in Tiara's hands to direct or care for in your absence. You must be present at all times to give your pet commands, hold your pet's leash if in a public space, and make sure your pet is comfortable, and feeling and acting normally.
Can I appear in the photo with my pet?
Of course!
If you'd like, you can use part of your booked portrait photoshoot time to devote to posing beside your pet for a portrait together. Just let Tiara know how much of your shoot you'd like to use for photos of your pet, and photos together with your pet.
What happens if my pet isn't feeling well the night before or day of the shoot?
Contact Tiara as soon as you've concluded that your pet is feeling under the weather, and the shoot can be rescheduled.
We want your pet to have a good experience, as well as to capture images of them at their best.
Why only outdoors or rooms with a lot of natural lighting?
Most animals do not appreciate flashing photography lights. Photographing your pet outdoors or in rooms with a lot of natural light from windows means a better photoshoot experience for your pet, more authentic and natural photos, and less equipment for Tiara to manage to complete the photoshoot - freeing her up to stay focused on catching moments of your pet's personality shining through.
Can we photograph more than one pet in the same shoot?
Yep! One photoshoot can be scheduled for multiple pets, 3 max per shoot. The 1 hour photoshoot time can be split up into time blocks for each pet. Your pets can also be photographed together. Let Tiara know what portraits you'd like to capture / how you'd like to divide up the session time.
I have a pet besides a cat or a dog, is that okay?
Got a beloved pet rabbit, reptile, bird, or hamster? As long as they are able to comfortably and safely be in a good photographing location, like your yard, front porch, well-lit living room, or in your hands or lap, they can be photographed.
However, if your pet must stay in an enclosure for safety reasons, this is not ideal for photoshoots. Glass aquariums and wire cages are challenging to get good photos through.
With that said, if you are aware that you will likely have glass glare or wires in your photos, but really want to try and get photos of your unique pet anyway, let Tiara know - and she can still give it a go!
What kinds of things can be edited out of photos?
Generally speaking and within reason, scars or injury marks, eye crusties, small areas of dirt or brush from being outside, etc. (and depending on your pet's fur texture/pattern and photo setting, things like collars, tags, and leashes) can be removed from your pet's portrait.
Tiara will also customarily adjust lighting, framing, and increase the color vibrancy on your pet's photos.
Things like fur color, eye color, and birthmarks that are signature to your pet, will not be changed.
If there is anything in particular you feel you want removed or do not want removed, please specify the details of your preferences to Tiara.
Does the photoshoot package include physical prints or framed photos?
The photoshoot package does not include printed images or framed photos.
However, Tiara would be happy to advise you on how to best to have your images printed. The package does include all of your digital image files which can easily be uploaded or given to a professional print shop online or in-person.
If you would like to have Tiara arrange to have your photos printed for you, that can be discussed with her for an additional fee.
What is the refund policy?
There is a strict no refund policy. The photoshoot fee is a service fee for Tiara's labor and expertise photographing your pet, and the travel costs to your desired location. Once the photoshoot has been completed, the service has been rendered.
If for some reason you are unhappy with your photoshoot results, please considerately discuss this with Tiara, and she can work with you to resolve any issues. The goal is for you to have a handful of beautiful images that authentically reflect your pet's personality.
What's the difference between the raw images straight out of the camera, and final retouched images?
The image taken by the camera is just the raw data of what the camera lens sees. Final retouched images have been adjusted in Adobe Photoshop for crop and rotation, white balance and color correction, vibrancy and saturation, exposure and contrast, sharpness and clarity, and removal of any unwanted details. See comparisons below:
4 Tips for How We Can Get the Best Photos of Your Pet:
4 Tips for How We Can Get the Best Photos of Your Pet:
Choose a setting for the photoshoot that has a moderate level of contrast with the color of your pet's fur (this will help your pet stand out). For example, a black cat won't show up well sitting on a dark couch, but throw a white blanket over the couch, and she'll look stunning! A beige dog won't photograph well against beach sand, but in front of an evergreen tree, he will look great!
If possible, let's plan to photograph your pet during the time that it is most likely to be awake, upbeat, and social. (If there is a time of the day that your pet typically hides, or sleeps deeply, let's choose a different time.)
Having your pet's favorite treats and/or toys on hand to incentivize them to engage with us and listen more intently to positioning commands will greatly assist the photographing process!
And, let Tiara know if there is anything she can do to help make your pet most comfortable upon meeting her.
Portraits from Pop-Up Photo Studio Events at Local Pet-Related Businesses
Portraits from Pop-Up Photo Studio Events at Local Pet-Related Businesses
To discuss the possibility of setting up a Pop-Up Pet Portrait Studio Event at your doggy daycare, grooming or training business, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, pet shop, or other pet-related business, please email Tiara at:
Tiara.Ariel.Photos@gmail.com
What People Are Saying:
What People Are Saying:
Tiara has an innate connection with animals and it shows brilliantly in her photography! She is compassionate, empathic and understands that our animal companions are an important part of our families. She whole-heartedly loves animals and they feel it! I highly recommend her talents. ~T.G.
Tiara, this is the most incredible photo taken of Nelly! My family is so impressed with your skill to capture her essence. Thanks for the awesome photo. ~J.K.
Tiara is not only a fantastic pet photographer, but she is incredible at working with animals. She skillfully worked with our high energy and rambunctious puppy! Her patience and direction during the shoot made it such a fun experience that resulted in great photos that we are sure to cherish for a long time! ~G.S.
2 Packages to Choose From
2 Packages to Choose From
30 minute photoshoot or 1 hour photoshoot (details below)
Package A (30 mins)
30 min photoshoot with your pet(s)
Full access to an online album where you can download and save all the raw image files from the shoot (yields around 150 - 200 photos)
3 of your favorites retouched to perfection, in the form of print-ready final images
No watermarks on any image
Local travel to your desired location
$175 Sale! Only $150
Package B (1 hour)
1 hour photoshoot with your pet(s)
Full access to an online album where you can download and save all the raw image files from the shoot (yields about 300 - 400 photos)
5 of your favorites retouched to perfection, in the form of print-ready final images
No watermarks on any image
Local travel to your desired location(s)
$275 Sale! Only $250
Photoshoot sessions are currently available to be booked only during daylight hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
(Booking Form)
Payment Portal
Payment Portal
Payment is due at the end of the photoshoot. Payment does not need to be submitted in order to book a photoshoot. However, payment must be received before images will be released to the client.
Stripe
Stripe
Pay for 30 min photo session with a credit card in a secure checkout on this site.
Stripe
Stripe
Pay for 1 hour photo session with a credit card in a secure checkout on this site.
Credit Card
Credit Card
To pay for individual pet portraits from a local pop-up photo studio event by credit card, click the image or the button below.
(Testimonial Form)
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