I’m going to say the thing nobody in my industry wants to say, which is that luxury pet photography is, objectively, a frivolous expense. You do not need it. Your dog will not be harmed if you never book a session. You will survive. The roof over your head is more important. Your retirement account Read More
Posts by Bark & Gold Photography
How to Vet a Pet Photographer (And What Certainty Should Feel Like When You Find the Right One)
Spending thousands of dollars on anything right now feels like a big decision. And it should. Whether it’s a home renovation, a vacation, or fine art pet portraits, people are paying closer attention before they commit—and they’re asking harder questions before they hand over their credit card. I’m choosing to view that not cynicism but Read More
Bark & Gold Photography Takes Home Two LUXlife Awards in 2026: Here’s What That Means for You
OK, I’ll say it: I won some awards. Two of them, actually. And while I’m not exactly the type to rent a billboard or rehearse an acceptance speech, these two feel worth talking about, not because of what they say about me, but because of what they say about what you can expect when you Read More
Four Things Every Pet Guardian Wants From Their Photography Experience
If you’ve ever Googled “pet photographer near me” and then spent the next 45 minutes falling down a rabbit hole of websites, portfolios, and pricing pages, you know that choosing a photographer is a process. There’s a lot to sort through, and a lot of it starts to blur together. So what actually tips the Read More
17 Lessons Hunter Taught Me (On What Would’ve Been His 17th Birthday)
Today, May 1, would’ve been my Hunter’s 17th birthday. Seventeen. For a Siberian retriever—that beautiful, disheveled mashup of Labrador and Husky—this number feels almost mythical. My husband and I got him at 11 weeks old, a fluffy, big-headed tornado with thoughts he hadn’t quite figured out how to express yet. We said goodbye to him Read More
Classy Name, Yoda Ears, Zero Tolerance for Strangers: Meet Alice
Some dogs walk into a session like they own the place. Alice is one of those dogs, but only after she’s decided you’re worthy of her time. Frankly? Respect. She’s a five-year-old fawn and white pitbull mix with Yoda ears, a lap dog complex, and a middle name that tells you everything you need to Read More
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done (Spoiler: It Totally Could)
A Petco Santa photo. Three English bulldogs. None of them looking at the same time. David and Allen walked away with…a memory, let’s say, to put it nicely. So David reached out to me, a little nervous, a little hopeful, and very upfront: “They are sweet, but difficult to photograph as a trio.” I appreciated Read More
How to Actually Compare Pet Photographers (Beyond the Pretty Pictures)
You’ve got a few tabs open right now. Maybe three photographers, maybe five. They all have beautiful galleries. They all say they love dogs. They all promise a stress-free experience and images you’ll “treasure forever.” And you’re sitting there thinking: OK, but how do I actually choose? It’s a fair question—and a harder one than Read More
Your Dog Doesn’t Care About Instagram, You Do
Let me paint you a picture: You’re at the park. Your dog is doing that thing…you know the one. Maybe it’s the way she tilts her head when she hears a weird noise, or the full-body wag that starts at her nose and ends somewhere around her back legs. It’s perfect. You grab your phone, Read More
Before You Book: Signs the Timing Might Not Be Right
Most pet photographers will tell you there’s never a wrong time to book a session, and while that sentiment comes from a good place, it’s not entirely true. Timing matters — for the experience, for the outcome, and for the investment. Sometimes the most helpful thing anyone can tell you is to wait. This is Read More