You're most likely here because you adore your pet. Just for that, we like you already. Your dog or cat is your family. We know, we feel the same way. And what better way to honor the importance they have in your life than with a custom photo shoot to remember them always.
Whether you want your session in your home or outdoors, together we can create an unforgettable experience resulting in stunning artwork for your home.
Our regular creation fee is $350, which includes one to two hours photographing two beloved pets and two adults (with additional pets or people $25 each), and your reveal and ordering session.
All products, including wall art, albums, and digital images, are available for a la carte purchase or in selected collections and are not included in the creation fee. Clients typically budget a minimum of $500 for their artwork and all major credit cards are accepted for your convenience.
Storytelling Sessions include the very specific session of your pet from which the artwork will be created; the stock photography, compositing and retouching needed to set the story's scene; a 30x20 wall print in your choice of canvas, metal or fine art print; a digital file, and a package of 25 flat 5x7 cards with envelopes. The end result is more custom than custom and prices start at $1095 for the complete package. There is no charge for the bragging rights you'll have when your friends see your artwork on your wall. Be nice now and don't gloat.
As a full-service photographer, I am here for you from start to finish, from your initial phone call or email to the personal delivery of your wall art.
Give me a call at 818.481.5214 or send an email to diana@dianalundin.com so we can begin plotting your amazing photography experience! You can even just fill out our quickie contact form and we'll get right back to you.
Congratulations on having your pet photographed! We're gonna have fun!
First, let's get your session on the calendar. Your session will be at your choice of amenable locations (your house, a park, a beach that allows dogs, etc.). Keep in mind some locations might require a permit, which must be obtained in advance and at your expense. I can recommend good outdoor locations.
Now isn't that fun? I assure you, it will be!
Oh, wait, you're afraid to have your dog off leash in an outdoor location? About 97 percent of my images of a dog off leash outside are taken with the leash on. The leashes are edited out in the retouching process. Now you see it, now you don't. Your dog's safety is paramount. Oh yes, leash removal is complimentary on any purchased image. Harnesses and sports bras? We don't recommend that your pet wear them on their shoot (hey, great time to buy a beautiful collar!) as they overwhelm your pet. Removal of them will be charged at market retouching rates.
Ready? Email me at diana@dianalundin.com or give me a call, 818.481.5214. Or just fill out our quickie contact form and we'll get right back to you. We're here to get you what you want!
Congratulations on bidding on and winning a pet photography session! Oh, not you? Well, lucky you, you got a nice gift certificate then!
Here's how it works:
First, let's get your session on the calendar! It will be a regular, full session at your choice of amenable locations (your house, a park, a beach that allows dogs, etc.). Keep in mind some locations might require a permit, which must be obtained in advance and at your expense. I can recommend good outdoor locations.
Now isn't that fun? I assure you, it will be!
Q. How should I prepare?
A. Great question! You should plan to groom your dog a few days before the session. Eyes are the window to the soul and you should make sure that there are no clumps of fur covering your dog's eyes unless that's typical of the dog's breed. If your animal is white and has tear or beard stains, consider using a product designed to safely minimize the red or brown discolorations under the eyes.
If your dog is going to be photographed outdoors, you will need a leash or lead and collar. This may be a great time to splurge on something fun or pretty. Leashes generally can be removed from the selected image but harness removal is an extra retouching fee that will be billed at market rates. Safety of your dog is paramount.
Q. Do you use treats?
A. Yes, we do use premium made in the U.S.A. or Canada treats but food is not our first preference in working with your dog for photos. We do carry dog peanut butter and have a selection of duck-pork-beef-and-lamb treats. If your dog has special needs or preferences, please make sure to have your own treats. We never use Chinese-made treats.
Q. Will I be in the photo or just my dog?
A. That’s entirely up to you! Take a look at our Creatures and Their People gallery to see some examples of pets and people together. Be advised, though, we are not a children's photographer, we are primarily a pet photographer. Our sessions are about the pets and the relationship between the pets and their people, not family portraits that happen to include the dog.
Q. OK, I’m thinking about being in the picture. What should I wear?
A. We prefer solid colors that contrast with your animal’s fur. You don’t want to blend in together. And patterns detract from the faces so solid colors are best. If there are two humans, instead of being Matchy McMatcherson, try for complementary colors. But what the heck, why not you be you? Wear what makes you happy. Seriously.
Q. How long does a session last?
A. Typically, 90 minutes or so, which includes setting up and taking down of the equipment, having your pet become accustomed to our presence, and the shooting itself. But we're not gonna rush you. It takes what it takes and we're happy to be there, camera in hand. And it's not that we're boring... but we'll probably send your dog off into a nap. They get tuckered.
Q. I’m not sure of the sizes I want.
A. As part of the pre-shoot consultation, we will ask about the areas of your home that you want the images for… whether it’s a vertical, horizontal or square space and how large the area is you’ll want your portrait. We'll take pictures of the rooms you're interested in having portraits and we'll design a layout with images of your pets on your walls. And we will also go through some of the color and style options we have if you decide you want to use one of our backgrounds. We have modern backgrounds running the gamut from whimsical to grunge to elegant that can complement both your animal’s coloring and your home’s style.
Q. Are the portraits formal? We’re kind of casual people.
A. We're casual people, too! We do both formal portraits and lifestyle images. We capture your pets in their home environment, being the animal you know and love. If you just wake up on a Saturday morning, put on a pair of jeans, and grab the leash to go for coffee, we can show you and your day. If you are park people, let’s go. If your pet stares out the window with beautiful light streaming in, we’ve got you covered. If you want your dog against a background that would look great as an art piece in your home, we shoot that. We're nothing if not versatile and accommodating.
Q. I like to dress up my dog. Can you shoot that?
A. Yes! If you have a set of tops and tails or pearls and a tutu, let’s go for it. We have a limited supply of props that we can discuss with you but it is best you style your dog yourself. Hey, we can’t wait to see what you’ve got! Any excuse to go shopping, right? It's for the dog! I have a cute selection of cat hats, too. Maybe for tiny dogs, we'll see. We love Etsy and buy many of our props there.
Q. Can you train my dog to sit still for the photo?
A. No, we're not dog trainers, we can only do what you can do with your pet. We prefer your dog knows sit and stay commands but we can work with the unruly as well. If you want your dog to learn a specific trick or just be better behaved for your session, we can provide you with the name of a trainer we work with and admire.
Q. Why don’t you just sell digital images?
A. We do, but we are strong believers in creating a lasting piece of art, the kind you would grab from the wall in case of a disaster (after everyone else is safe, of course). We personally know the value of having a tangible image to hold in our hands, to admire on the walls, to leaf through in a beautiful book, especially after our beloved pets have passed on. We believe there is no safety in having just digital images and it is our experience very few people do anything with those images except maybe create wallpaper on their computer or use them for Facebook or other social media and we can give you that when you order your portraits. We offer quality products that you will cherish. We do realize our clients have a need for digital files and we offer digital images with all of our wall portraits and both high and low resolution collections. We hope you are commissioning us to create a portrait with you and for you that will take your breath away.
Q. Will you shoot my event?
A. We aren't in the event photography business, unfortunately, we will have to take a pass on that. We also do not shoot pets with Santa. Our only group shoots would be the Ice Cream Social for Dogs, which you can contact us to arrange at your store or office.
Q. How do I set up an appointment?
A. Call me! 818.481.5214. Email me! Send a carrier pigeon! Or just fill out my quickie contact form.
Q. I'm excited now! How long does it take to get my portraits?
A. Please allow up to three weeks to receive your portraits and up to six weeks to receive photo albums. The full price of the prints is due in full at the time of ordering and because these are custom products, there are no refunds. There are payment plans available to make our products affordable to anyone who wants unique and cherished memories of their beloved animals.
Q. What's in your contract?
A. Our standard contract is here.
We aren't for everybody and we know it. But we hope you see the value and creativity we can offer you and your pet to create a portrait you will love every day.
Call us at 818.481.5214 if you want to talk about everything we have to offer! Or fill out our contact form.
First of all, thank you Los Angeles for voting Modern Pet Portraiture by Diana Lundin the Best Pet Photographer on the Los Angeles Hot List!
Proudly featured in:
LA Photo Curator "No Happy Accidents" competition, Best Series, Dog Noir
Los Angeles Magazine, "Dog Noir Combines Moody Vintage Cinema and Extremely Cute Pets"
VO Magazine, Diana Lundin "Creates UnFURgetable Moments"
Pet Lifestyles Magazine, "Dogs Vs. Ice Cream: This Summer Every Pup's a Winner!"
Peerspace, "The 8 Best Pet Photographers in Los Angeles"
TAILS & toys, "15 Works of Art from Secret World of Pets."
VoyageLA, "Meet Diana Lundin of Modern Pet Portraiture."
Los Angeles Magazine, "Dog Days of Summer."
Bored Panda, "The Strange World of Dogs and Cats"
Inside Edition, "Pup Squeals Excitedly While Reuniting With Owner After Being Lost and Trapped Under Car for Days."
Golden Retriever Club of Great Los Angeles Rescue, 2017 Cover Calendar Art "Dexter"
Brit+Co, "How to Quit Your Job and be a Pet Photographer."
Fox Sports, "LA Kings Photo Shoot with Dogs."
Fido Friendly, "Alvin is Up for Adoption."
Los Angeles Times, "How to Pamper Your Pooch with Massages, Parties, Photo Sessions and More."
Saved in America, The Road to Shelter Hope
L.A. Kings, "We Are All K9s" calendar
Sophos, Cat Calendar
Perfect Exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, Day of the Dog Exhibition,
Pawtrait Perfect, "I Love L.A.: Today's Feature by Photographer Diana Lundin."
The Huffington Post, "From Scared Stiff to Slobbery Kisses."
Refinery 29, "These 18 Adorable Pups Eating Ice Cream Will Make Your Day."
Refinery 29, "17 Reasons L.A.'s Wealthiest Dogs are Winning at Life."
LeLe Pets, "What the Art Wednesday."
Dog Sniffer, Modern Pet Portraiture
Bring Fido, Modern Pet Portraiture
Best Friends I, "I Saved My Best Friend"
Best Friends II, "I Saved My Best Friend"
Best Friends III, "I Saved My Best Friend"
Call us at 818.481.5214 if you want to talk about everything we have to offer! Or fill out our contact form.
My Own Introduction to Professional Pet Photography
Psst, see that guy and that girl to the left? Yeah, that's me and my 6-month-old boy Typo in 1991. I know, I know, a really long time ago. My beloved guy is gone many years and suffice it to say I don't look like that anymore. But here's the thing. How old is that photo? Do the math. (I'll wait while you subtract). Yeah. Old! Ouch! It was taken by professional photographer Lori Valesko back before pet photography was a thing.
This photo is the dearest one I have of him. It makes me happy every time I see it. It's a real photo, it doesn't just live on a computer. It's lasted. Our photo shoot was way back before digital, back before point-and-shoots, back before your handy iPhone. This was a film shoot in a studio with real lighting equipment. It was special.
These days, you can take easy photos, you really can. And some will be good, some will be blurry, some you just love because you know your pet so well.
But professional photography still is special. Of course you want all the ones on your phone, I take them, too. But I love a really well crafted photo that comes from a sharp lens, fast camera and a good eye. I have that equipment and I think I have that eye.
You have many choices when it comes to pet photography. I have not only invested a lot in state-of-the-art equipment, I have worked and studied hard to present you with my take on pet photography and I hope you can see the results of that. If you can see the difference in what I'm offering you, in the lighting, in the composition, in the color, in the posing and in the creativity, I hope you will entrust me with the honor of photographing your dog or cat.
Yes, you will find photographers across a wide pricing spectrum but before you hire one, make sure your money will get you what you want.
Before I was a photographer (although, come on, I started in the high school darkroom when I was 16 -- don't do the math), I was a newspaper reporter. Storytelling is in my DNA. I want to tell your pet's story. I want you to have a cherished photo like I have a cherished photo, a photo that will make you happy every time you see it.
And that striking black and white guy? That's Kiwi, one of my new boys. Funny, that one. He's very amenable to a camera and I love photographing him, with my professional equipment and my cell phone. He and his brother Mango take up a lot of wall space around here. I'll find more space. That painting over there just might have to go... .
Give me a call at 818.481.5214 or send an email to diana@dianalundin.com so we can begin plotting your amazing photography experience! You can even just fill out our quickie contact form and we'll get right back to you.