Frequently Asked Questions
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We offer expert assistance to help you get great photos of your dog, professional editing of your photos, optional photography of your K9 within Florida (travel fees apply), product design and creation. Our Collectors Card package includes custom design of your cards and prints using your agency’s colors and logos. We personalize the cards for each K9 team.
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form —we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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Our clean designs, featuring your K9 partner on a white background, keep the focus on expression, as well as showcasing your dog’s name and your agency colors and logo.
Our inclusion of a photo on the back of the card lets you share a favorite personal photo or K9/Handler team shot. -
We’ve been doing this a long time! We know that there are so many fun products out there, and we love them all - but we keep it simple and focus our main Collectors Card collection on these core items:
custom photography or editing
a large set of cards (1000!) to last your team through demos and events
11×14 prints - one for the department and one for the handler.
These items make up our core collection because we feel they are essentials. We’ve also created custom logos, custom K9 stickers and more for our clients - more info on these options coming soon!
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Well, I’m a K9 wife of 16+ years and a professional photographer for 25+ years - I know the demands of the job, the schedule, the attitudes of the dog on any given day :D - I’ve been in the trenches doing this work since 2010 and I’ve photographed hundreds of working dogs. I’ll make this as stress free as possible!
If I’m traveling to you and doing your photos, I’ve got it down to a science. I’ll keep the stress and time to a minimum and I’ll get GREAT shots of your partner.If you’re taking the photos, I’ll help you get the right angles and backgrounds. Then I’ll apply editing magic to make your dog look amazing.
I’ve got loads of graphic design experience to make your cards fit your agency’s branding while still showing off the personal details about your dog that matter.I strive to make the whole process as easy as possible!
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Yes! We want to make sure that all information is correct and the design looks great to you. We will send an approval email before your order is sent to production.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
PHOTO GUIDE
Great cards and prints start with great photos.
This guide will help you get fantastic shots of your dog and avoid common pitfalls that make photographs look crappy.
What’s right in these photos?
The position the dogs are in. The low angle shooting straight towards their faces. The bright indirect lighting allowing nice coloration and detail. The minimal collars, arranged so they don’t look sloppy. The alert ear position. The bright eyes with catchlights - those white reflections you see - which shows good lighting. Keep reading to learn how to nail these things and get great shots of your K9!
the basics
If using a cell phone (which is fine), use STANDARD CAMERA MODE
Don’t use portrait mode or any filters or special settings
Put some thought into the collars or harnesses your dog is wearing. We know they need a collar. Keeping it as simple and neat as possible makes a difference! Make sure any badges are laying flat and positioned correctly.
If possible, remove the leash. If you can’t it’s ok - safety and control are more important - but no leash = cleaner editing.
LIGHTING
THE BEST OPTION - photograph your dog outside, during the day, in the shade or on an overcast day.
POSITION DOG CLOSE TO A WALL - preferably a white or light-colored wall - that is NOT being hit by direct sunlight. Bright indirect light is your friend!
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AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT
AVOID SHADY AREAS WITH SUNNY BACKGROUNDS
DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH INSIDE OR AT NIGHT!
DO NOT USE ANY FLASH!
FOR BEST RESULTS - get close to your dog so their body fills the frame. Don’t photograph from a distance.
KNEEL DOWN SO THE CAMERA IS AT YOUR DOG’S EYE LEVEL - do not stand over your dog and point the camera down!
POSITION & ANGLES
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don’t photograph from a distance - fill the frame with your dog
don’t stand over your dog and point the camera down
POSIng & editing
WE WANT A STANDARD PORTRAIT POSE - dog should be sitting, looking at or toward the camera.
KNEEL DOWN AND HOLD A TOY RIGHT NEXT TO THE CAMERA - we want the dog looking as close to the lens as possible. Consider a squeaker toy or treat if that won’t cause too much excitement.
WATCH EAR POSITION! When dogs are stressed they sometimes lay their ears back or twist them outward. We want relaxed, happy ears. Check ear position in each photo you like - it’s an easy thing to overlook but it makes a big difference.
TRY FOR DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS - a squeaky toy or making a new noise can prompt a closed-mouth curious look. A relaxed happy dog often has their mouth open and tongue out - just make sure he’s not too hot with an elongated tongue.
ACTION SHOTS - running, jumping, biting, natural backgrounds - are fine for the back of the card. But please follow these tips to get the best headshot photo for the front of the card.
SEND ORIGINAL IMAGE with standard camera settings- no adjustments or editing.
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