The Dogs of Ann Arbor

This is the most common worry I hear, and please let it be the last thing on your mind! My sessions are designed to be fun, relaxed adventures, not strict obedience tests.

I have plenty of patience and a variety of ways to get your dog's attention (plus a camera with a really fast shutter speed!).

Some of the most beautiful and authentic portraits come from those joyful, in-between moments, not a perfect 'sit-stay.'

We book up to 90 minutes for every session to ensure we have ample time for energetic or shy pets to get comfortable and be themselves.

Not at all. In fact, the safety of your pet is my number one priority. Most of the dogs I photograph remain on a leash for all or part of their session. Thanks to the magic of post-processing, leashes can be removed from any final artwork you choose to purchase.

While the book is focused on your dog, I strongly encourage you to jump in for a few portraits! The heart of this project is the bond between you and your dog, and those connection pieces often become the most cherished images from the session. However, if you prefer to stay behind the scenes, I will focus entirely on capturing beautiful individual portraits of your dog.

Absolutely. If you have a multi-dog household, I invite them all to be part of the experience. They will share a signature double-page spread in the book, celebrating the beautiful life you share together.

Once you are selected for the project, we’ll chat about your dog’s personality and the kind of environment where they feel most at home. Whether it's a favorite local park, a quiet wooded trail, or even your own backyard, I want to choose a place that feels like a natural extension of your life together. I have several go-to spots around the greater Ann Arbor area that offer beautiful light and plenty of room to explore, and I’m always happy to hear your suggestions for a place that is meaningful to you.

I recommend comfortable clothing in neutral or earthy tones that will complement the natural Michigan landscape (think blues, greens, grays, and tans). It's best to avoid busy patterns, large logos, or bright neon colors that can distract from the main subjects—you and your pet! I will send you a session preparation guide to make sure you feel confident and prepared.

If there is heavy rain, storms, or extreme temperatures that would make a session unsafe or uncomfortable, we will absolutely reschedule. Don't worry about clouds, though! An overcast day provides beautiful, soft light that is incredibly flattering for portraits. I always keep a close eye on the forecast and will be in touch with you if it looks like we need to make a change.

The $200 registration fee covers your place in the book, the session adventure, and the design of the book itself. Artwork and digital files are purchased separately during your gallery reveal.

When you commission custom wall art, a folio box, or an album, the corresponding high-resolution digital files are included as my gift to you. This gives you the best of both worlds: stunning tangible art for your home and the digital files to keep forever.

I specialize in dog photography to ensure I can provide the highest quality art and the most comfortable session experience for your pups. However, all pets in your immediate household are more than welcome to be part of our session adventure.

While the limited-edition book The Dogs of Ann Arbor is dedicated specifically to our canine companions, I am happy to capture portraits of your entire pet family for you to commission as custom wall art, folio boxes, or albums for your home.

My process is designed to turn your dog’s story into tangible artwork that becomes a cherished part of your home. I specialize in three main ways to enjoy your portraits:

• Handcrafted Folio Boxes: A modern, versatile way to keep a collection of your favorite portraits right on your coffee table. These allow you to easily swap the top photo for a fresh look whenever you like.

• Signature Fine-Art Albums: A professional book featuring thick, matte velvet pages that tell the full story of your session in seamless spreads.

• Custom-Framed Wall Art: Artisan-quality frames and canvases designed to turn your favorite portrait into the heart of your home.

We will explore all of these samples together during your Private Gallery Reveal. I’ll help you visualize how each piece will look in your space so you can choose the perfect fit for your home and heart.

That's a wonderful question. When you invest in a custom photography session with West Oak Dog Photography, you are investing in a completely personalized, boutique experience from start to finish. The investment covers more than just the photo session itself; it includes my time and expertise in planning the perfect adventure, the professional editing and artistic retouching of every single image to bring out your pet's best, and the one-on-one guidance during the video reveal to design beautiful, handcrafted artwork for your home. My goal is to create timeless family heirlooms that you will cherish for a lifetime, and the quality of the service and final products reflects that commitment.

I completely understand the desire to have digital files for sharing online and for your personal archives.

My studio's primary focus is on creating beautiful, physical artwork that will become a part of your home and your family's legacy.

Because I believe so strongly in the power of a printed portrait, every piece of wall art, memory folio box or handcrafted album you purchase includes its corresponding high-resolution digital file at no extra cost.

This gives you the best of both worlds—stunning art to enjoy every day and the digital version to share and preserve. For those who wish to purchase only digital files, they are also available a la carte.