So, what you can expect from an end-of-life pet portrait session? Well, it’s whatever you want it to be really. It can be at your home, inside or out, or at a local park that your pet loved to frequent, anything. 

However, the first step is to look for a pet photographer that has experience with end-of-life sessions and prioritizes their schedule to accommodate the sometimes-urgent nature of such sessions. And while I'm still getting my feet wet, my promise to you is that I will prioritize your schedule and even cancel personal plans, if necessary, and reschedule standard portrait sessions in order to be there for an animal that will soon be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. 

Because time is of the essence, I want to help capture your final moments together as quickly as possible. During our session, I will do everything possible to keep your pet happy and comfortable. If your pet has any limitations, let's talk about it and find what's going to work for them (and you). Your pet's comfort is priority.   

You don’t need a professional studio or backdrop to have beautiful pictures of your pet. End-of-life pet portrait sessions are about creating images of everything you love about your dog or cat (or rabbit, or hamster, or rat, or ferret, or bird, etc.), what they love to do, where they love to sleep, what they like to eat, etc. For instance, Zinger loved the cream inside zinger snack cakes (which is where his name comes from), but we never captured him eating any. So, tell me about your pet and the most important things. What was it like when you brought them home? What about them makes you smile? Do they have any quicks? Any special or unique markings? What's their favorite snack? Do they only like to sleep on their back with their feet in the air? Tell me anything and everything that makes them special and I'll do everything I can to capture them during the session.  

Just remember: No matter where the session takes place, it's going to be pet-led. Whatever THEY want to do, we'll do. You may really want to have them walk in the park or do tricks like they used to but, if they're not themselves, we don't want to force them to do something they just don't have the energy to do anymore. We want them as happy and as comfortable as possible. They don't have a lot of time left, so we don't want to spend it forcing them to go on a hike because it "used to be their favorite thing" when all THEY really want is to cuddle with you on the couch. It's all about them. 

During the session, you may start a story with laughs and end it in full-blown tears. That's okay. Honestly, I'll probably join you. Our pets leave such an impact on our lives, it's hard not to cry thinking about what used to be or what's to come. I just hope that, by the end, I'll leave you feeling even just a little bit better about saying goodbye. 

And don't worry, I'll NEVER charge for an end-of-life session. That should be the last thing you're thinking about right now, so you'll never have to. 

If you're in need of an end-of-life session, contact me. Let's cry together.