You may have heard the cliché “fence-sitting gets you splinters.” Well, there I was, straddling that darn fence desperately trying to keep those pesky splinters from invading my you-know-what, fully knowing in my gut that it was time to make a bold decision. I needed to say goodbye to backyard and in-home sessions. Implementing that Read More
Posts by Bark & Gold Photography
What It Means to Tell Your Story Your Way
Professional pet photography goes far deeper than the surface beauty of the matte paper on which an image is presented. Within each portrait lies a whispered promise: the chance to weave a visual tapestry of joy and love unlike any other. That’s why at Bark & Gold Photography, capturing spectacular portraits is only the first Read More
Eyes to the Sky: Harmonizing Light and Life in Dog Portraits
As a pet photographer, I’m often asked, “What’s the secret to capturing the expression and spirit of a dog in a portrait?” The answer, while encompassing far more than just one element, often begins with a focus on their eyes, those “windows to the soul,” and capturing the sparkle and vibrancy that holds the key Read More
Rain, Rain, Go Away: What If It Rains on My Session Day?
Maybe Willie Nelson said it best when he sang, “Well, it’s cloudy in the morning, gonna be raining in the afternoon… If you don’t like this rainy weather you better pack your bags and move.” I recently learned that Pittsburgh averages a total of 203 cloudy days each year and that western Pennsylvania is significantly Read More
The Psychology of Pet Bloopers: Why They Happen, What They Reveal, and Why I’m Down With ‘Em
Ah, the internet: the treasure trove of impeccably curated pet portraits. Think dogs standing perfectly balanced on a fallen log, bathed in the warm glow of golden hour light, their fur wonderfully windblown in the allure of effortless adventure; cats felines contemplating the existential meaning of catnip as they perch regally on chaise lounges with Read More
From Paw Prints to Portraits: A Peek at the Week of a Luxury Pet Photographer in Pittsburgh
Toss those briefcases out the window and forget the fluorescent-lit drudgery of boardrooms because my nine-to-five is anything but beige! (If you know, you know.) As a luxury pet photographer in Pittsburgh, my workweek is far from ordinary. Routine? Sure, but only in the sense that I call the shots. No day is ever the Read More
The Transformative Impact of Seeing Your Pet as Art (and Not Just Another Instagram Post)
If your idea of a pet photography experience culminates in swiping through endless folders on your phone, if you’re a member of the like-hungry mass, or among those who think their pet’s legacy is best measured in megapixels, I’m going to give you an out to just move along now, no hard feelings. Now, before Read More
Why Artwork of Your Pet is the Ultimate Expression of Love
Love for a dog transcends mere affection. It’s a lifetime of wet noses, wagging tails, and quiet memories (or potty breaks) shared at 3 a.m. It’s a language spoken in playful nips, soulful gazes, and the warm weight of a furry blockhead on your lap. But sometimes, love yearns for a tangible expression, a way Read More
Beyond Picture-Perfect: Celebrating the Imperfectly Perfect Pup in Portraits
Ah, dogs: those bundles of fur-shedding joy, slobbery kisses, endless entertainment, and far from perfect (and thank goodness for that). We adore them for their unconditional love, their boundless enthusiasm, and their…well, let’s just call it like we see it, slightly oddball tendencies. It’s precisely what makes them so darn lovable and, dare I say, Read More
Frankie the Snow-Pup: A Blizzard of Buffalo Plaid
We humans can be such grumps about winter. The cold, the endless shoveling, my resolve (like my driveway) is slowly becoming a white flag—it’s enough to make you want to hibernate until spring. But dogs? They see magic where we see misery. They roll in the slush with the glee of a kid in a rainbow Read More