Before the shoot:
What is your photography experience?
I started shooting at an early age when my parents got me a polaroid camera for
Christmas. I attended a college in Ohio where I received a degree in Commercial
Art/fine art. One of the classes I had to take was photography. After
developing my first print (my 1964 VW) that was it! I then went to the Ohio Institute
of Photography and received my second degree in commercial photography. I moved
to Los Angeles where I worked for many outstanding photographers. The bug bit me
to become a set decorator and photo stylist. I did this for many years but then
decided my true passion was to be a photographer and work with animals. I am a
fine artist as well. I really love to create both fine art work and commercial work.
Where are you located? Do you do studio or location work?
Home base is in Redondo Beach, California. We do both location and studio shoots.
We come to the house, a park, or any other appropriate location. I do not own a
studio but find/rent studios depending on the situation. We will be scheduling
shoots in different cities. This information would be found on the blog.
Do you require a deposit? What forms of payment do you accept?
Yes, we require a deposit to hold your session. Your deposit goes towards your photo
session. The remainder of the payment is due at your session. If you cancel before
48 hours we will refund your money or reschedule your shoot. We accept cash,
check, money order, and paypal online.
What do you charge?
The investment for your particular shoot depends on many variables. It is best to go
to our contact page and e-mail us the information. Tell us who you would like to have
photographed, how many, where, what kind of photos you are looking for and when you
would like to have your photo session completed. We will call you, e-mail you a quote,
or send you an information packet, which ever you prefer. We will have promotions
going on as well. Please check our blog for the most current “specials.”
Do you offer gift certificates?
yes!
During the shoot:
How long does a photo session take?
Most location photo sessions take around 1.5 hours; some more, some less. Studio
sessions vary depending on each particular shoot. We will send you a packet of
information once you book a session. The packet will go over all that you need to know
to have a successful shoot.
After the Shoot:
What are the procedures for seeing our images? What do we receive?
We will shoot as many images as needed to give you a good variety of images to
choose from. You will be given a time frame to see your “proof” images online.
You may also receive contact sheets or a Cd of the images (just for viewing) for an
extra fee. What you receive will be discussed when you ask for a quote.
Can we use one of the images you take of our pet(s) for our business literature?
If your shoot was set up as a “commercial shoot” the price for using the image will
be included in our quote. If we photographed your pet(s) as a private commissioned
shoot for personal use, we would need to charge an additional fee for the usage in the
advertising market. All images are copyrighted. It is illegal to scan, copy, or
reproduce an artists images in any way.
What is Pound Pets?
Pound Pets is a brand that I created to showcase what wonderful animals can be found
from rescue groups or adopted from animal shelters. These images are used on a
variety of products. 10% of all profits are donated to animal welfare groups.
What is Masters of the Throne?
Masters of the Throne is an ongoing series I am shooting of chairs that I find very
interesting or unique with animals that I feel seem to be appropriate for that
particular chair. If you have a really “cool” chair, feel free to send us a snapshot of it
We will keep it on file and may just create a shoot for it someday!
How can our pet(s) be in one of your greeting cards or other items?
I usually plan in great detail all of my greeting cards and pick an animal that is
appropriate for the shot. I sometimes do “castings” to find a pet or you may send a
snapshot of your pet with your info on it. We will keep it on file. If we did a photo shoot
of your pet already we may be able to use something we shot for the line. I ask that
every client sign a release as a lot of my work does get published, but, we can’t
guarantee anything. We are putting some images on various products through
www.cafepress.com/poundpets. You will also see a variety of products available
to you in our “Ebay store” Click on the links under Shop below.
Thank you for your interest in Marie Dolphin Studios. If you still have a question that
we haven’t covered, please e-mail us or call and we’ll be glad to answer!
