Pictured above is Hupie in one of the first pictures I officially took as Impurrfect PawPrints
If we go back to the beginning, it all started as a late-night conversation with my coworkers. I had just lost my cat, Mia, and I was struggling deeply with the idea of her not being around anymore. I needed a healthy way to distract myself. Tucked away in my closet was a camera I’d only used here and there, and one day I decided to pull it out.
I remember scrolling through my camera roll, searching for photos of Mia, and realizing how few clear, crisp images I had. I only a few that I loved enough to have etched into the necklace I now wear with her ashes. That moment hit hard. I also remember the fear of losing another pet and how much I wanted to preserve every little memory moving forward.
So, I started learning. I watched hundreds of hours of photography courses, soaking up advice from some of the best photographers across the country. Along the way, I discovered a teacher from Germany whose style and knowledge really resonated with me. In the winter of 2025, I will be officially enrolled in her online courses, and one day I hope to travel and study under her in person.
But let’s get back to the experience of it all. My first leap was creating a Facebook page. Looking back, I probably could have waited, but at the time I figured the best way to learn was by jumping in. I booked my first few sessions with friends, offering them for free just to see how well I could handle photographing other people’s pets. And honestly? I had so much fun. I may be a little awkward with people, but with pets that’s where I truly connect.
Not every pet loves the sound of my camera, and that’s something I’m always working on and finding new ways to help animals feel safe and comfortable. I practiced constantly, photographing my own pets, my friends’ pets, and really anyone who would let me. Things quieted down in the winter, but I used that time to grow, upgrading my computer, software, lenses, and learning new editing skills.
Then spring arrived, and with it, new opportunities. I photographed more pets, offered a few additional free sessions, and slowly started to grow my page. Before I knew it, I had 80 followers.
Through all of this, I’ve been so lucky to have an amazing group of friends and family supporting me every step of the way. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They believed in me when others laughed at the idea of a pet photographer. But here’s the truth: our pets are family, and they deserve to be remembered and cherished forever. That’s what I want my work to stand for.
