The 7 Best Pet Photographers in Reno

The Littlest Big City in the World is a great place to be if you have active, outdoorsy pets. The mountains provide a playground of unlimited potential. Nearby Lake Tahoe is also just the thing to cool you down after all that sun! And if you’re looking to have the full story of your furry family members told through heirloom photography, you’re even more in luck. Because the work of the top 7 Reno pet photographers ranks with the very best in the country. So take a look at their portfolio and see if a session or two isn’t in your near future!

1. Susan Koppel

Susan Koppel’s love for photography began when she held a Kodak Instamatic at age 5! Even as her schooling and career in the aerospace industry took up her time, Susan’s love for photography remained a passion of hers. She now has much more time to pursue her twin passions of photography and animals, often volunteering at local shelters and working as a photographer for the Animal Ark wildlife sanctuary!

As a Reno pet photographer, Susan favors both classic outdoor compositions under the bold natural light of Nevada as well as studio sessions using controlled flash. Her studio photography is available for pets with homes and homeless pets for shelter websites. Professional pet portraits are one of the best ways to speed up adoptions for animals in need, after all!

2. Furever USA

Looking for a top-quality professional Reno pet photographer that provides heirloom portraiture? Furever USA is the creative partner of choice here, operating through a network of partner studios in Nevada, California, New Jersey, and other parts of the United States. Since they create heirloom portraits, it’s ideal for displaying in family photo albums, wall hangings, and other prominent places for years to come.

Their approach can be tailored to include just your four-legged kids or inclusive of you as well. And when each session comes to a close you have the option of purchasing fine art-worthy holders for your images, from portrait boxes to framed wall art. Just the sort of elegance we’d expect from a top nationwide pet photography brand!

3. Johnstone Studios

Modern lifestyle photography is what Johnstone Studios offers us today! From pet photography to children’s and senior portraiture, they are masters of finding authentic, expressive ways to tell stories through the visual arts. Their pet photography is especially impressive given how uncooperative dogs can often be as subjects. Yet they manage to coax out the quirky head tilts, calm watchfulness, and other aspects to our pets that we will remember even after they’ve departed onto a new journey.

And as studio-oriented pet photographers, we appreciate their mastery of lighting just as much as the classic backgrounds used by Johnstone Studios. It gives their work a polish that’s ideal for fine art heirloom pet images.

4. Tracy Christenson

Rodents, dogs, and all other things animal are what Tracy Christenson has always loved. So small wonder she’s become one of our favorite Reno pet photographers! Each bond shared between person and pet is unique, and it’s telling the story of that bond that calls to her. As she shares with us: “Every pet is unique, and no one better understands yours better than you do. You share a bond with your pet that is just as unique as they are and you likely know the personality and all of the quirks that make them so special, better than anyone.”

Another reason why Tracy loves working with animals as subjects are due to their inherent authenticity. There is nothing scripted about their actions and second chances may not always be possible. It takes attentiveness to light, timing, and the possibilities of the moment to capture what nature, domesticated or otherwise, has to offer. This sense of how to best feature animals in their surroundings also makes her a top wildlife photographer, as you will see while browsing her portfolio!

5. Jamie Lee Bartlett

Love in all its many forms is what Jamie Lee Bartlett focuses on. Love that families have for newborns, pets, children, couples, and more. And unlike many family photographers, she is entirely okay with bringing the furriest members of the group along for scenic outdoor photoshoots!

Dogs often sit excitedly along with couples on maternity sessions and children straddle their equine companions with glee. Jamie’s choices in environment and timing are spot-on, offering a nostalgic element thanks to her love for the gently diffused lighting that comes with the early morning and late afternoon natural light.

6. Studio La Di Da

Kim of Studio La Di Da is a family, children, and Reno pet photographer who loves blurring the boundaries between fine art and family bonds. It allows her to find those moments of natural artistry that spontaneously reveal themselves as animals and people engage with their environment and one another.

Kim’s approach is bold and distinctive, making excellent use of dramatic lighting for lens flare and rich colors and contrast. She even includes delightful background blur for a dreamy, ethereal feel in her children’s portraits! Pets often sit side by side with children and families in the studio and outdoor portrait sessions that result in heirloom images that will stand the test of time.

7. L’arte Photography

Operating out of nearby Lake Tahoe, Southern California, and as far afield as Kentucky, L’arte Photography is the creation of Laura Z. Her love for vibrant color and exposure breathes life into her pet portraits, often including abundant natural light and a bit of retouching for a cheerful take on the genre.

We also adore the outdoor surroundings she chooses for pet portraiture. Laura recognizes the playful contrast inherent to placing a bulldog amongst flowers. And she offers her service as a volunteer for Reno pet shelters and rescue organizations in order to help them find homes for homeless pups!

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