Two weeks ago, a friend called me, clearly upset…
"I got my photos back," she moaned.
She'd had family photos taken and had included their senior pup. I automatically assumed they'd turned out badly…
"I love them," she said. "But… the photographer made my dog's gray muzzle disappear."
She wasn't upset exactly—just surprised. Her senior pup had been by her side for over a decade, and that salt-and-pepper muzzle was a badge of honor, a sign of all the adventures and cuddles they'd shared.
I get it. As a photographer, I have powerful tools at my fingertips, and yes, I can retouch fur, brighten eyes, and remove that bit of drool from the perfect shot.
But here's the thing: just because I CAN doesn't mean I WILL. Some things are meant to stay.
- That gray muzzle? It tells a story.
- That missing whisker? Part of their charm.
- That slightly wonky ear? Pure personality.
I want my clients to see their pet in their photos—not an over-polished version that erases the quirks they love most.
What about you? When it comes to your pet's portraits, do you prefer a little touch-up, or are you all about capturing them just as they are?
