You might say animal photography is Stan Wright's pet project. The genial shutterbug has "done it all" during his 31-year career -- weddings, proms, portraits, advertisements, tourist arrivals at the airport, conventions, fishing tournaments -- but he has the most fun photographing animals.
Taking photos of four-legged
Getting a great pet portrait
friends turns out to be quite
a profitable businessBy Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Special to the Star-Bulletin"They've got different personalities, just like humans," says Wright. "Some are calm, others are high-strung. Some are aloof, others are very friendly. Some are gorgeous and have a haughty air, others are homely but sweet. Animals are truly amazing creatures, and what I like about photographing them is the element of surprise; I never know how they're going to react."
Photography has fascinated Wright from the time he was a youngster. "I took my Brownie Hawkeye with me to elementary school. When I joined the Navy, my mom gave me the newest Instamatic camera and said, 'You are going to go to places and see things your father and I will never get to see. I want you to take lots of pictures so we can share those experiences with you.' After my stint in the Navy, I went back to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, and got my bachelor's degree in photography."
About six years ago, Pet's Discount Warehouse called Wright and asked if he'd be interested in taking portraits of people and their pets at the company's one-year anniversary celebration."I told them they were crazy," recalls Wright. "Who in their right mind would want to take a picture with their dog? They told me it was really a big business on the mainland."
Wright was skeptical, but nevertheless took the job. "On Saturday I did 67 sittings, and I did even more the next day," he says. "Boy, was I wrong! I didn't realize how close the relationship is between people and their pets. In some cases, the pet is their 'child,' their companion, their best friend."
Pet photography now accounts for 75 percent of Wright's business, and he often donates his time to the Hawaiian Humane Society, doing publicity shots and taking photos at their major fund-raisers, including the recent "Fantasies in Chocolate" and "Santa Paws" events.
Although Wright primarily works with dogs, he's also photographed cats, birds, rabbits, mice, turtles, lizards, horses and cows. He's found cats to be the most difficult subjects.
"They don't like to travel and are never at ease in the studio," he says. "I have had success going to cats' homes and doing candid photos. Because they're at ease there, I've been able to get some great stuff. But cats and studios just don't seem to mix."
Most of the animals Wright photographs are pets, not show animals, which he describes as "a dream to shoot because they are very well-trained and used to being handled." Family pets, on the other hand, present a range of challenges, which is why Wright says only a very few photographers allow them in their studios.
"I've been bitten twice. Dogs are very protective of their owners, especially kids. Usually, a dog tries to keep itself between you and its owner. One time, a dog was sitting on the right of its owner, and I came close to them to adjust a background light. The little dog bounded across the lady and nicked my finger; I guess he thought I was going to hurt his mommy.
"Another time, I re-positioned a light while shooting two young ladies and their bull mastiffs. The two dogs roared -- or at least it sounded like that to me -- and I was 15 feet away. I commented to the dad that I sure did not envy any young man who dated his daughters. He just smiled."
Having learned from those and other experiences, Wright now approaches animals with caution, trying not to make any quick, sudden movements that could startle them. Instead of getting to work immediately, he takes time to get acquainted with them.
"Did you ever notice when you take your dog to the veterinarian, the doctor and all the workers usually make friends with the dog first by letting it lick their hands and face? This establishes trust, which inevitably makes conducting the exam easier. It's the same with a photo session."
One of the problems, Wright points out, is that the only time most owners take their pets out is to the vet, so most animals think they are at the vet's when he puts them on a table to be photographed.
"I like to use a table because it restricts the movement of the animal; keeps it in one place. It takes awhile for them to settle down and figure out that they won't be poked or prodded. Some dogs freak out and can't relax. In those cases, I start taking pictures of the owner with the dog, and the dog eventually settles down so I can shoot it by itself. A dog's attention span is like a kid's; you essentially have five to seven minutes to get something, and then they lose all interest in being photographed."
Also, accidents do happen. "Some are easier to clean up than others," Wright says wryly. "Once, a big Labrador marked 'his' territory from one end of my backdrop to the other. After washing it, it took five cycles in the dryer to dry that huge piece of material."
The joy that lights up his clients' faces when he shows them photos of their beloved pets makes the occasional inconveniences worthwhile. Kaneohe resident Guy Steele recently brought his two AKC-registered toy poodles, Amy and Riley, to Wright's studio for a photo session.
"I helped raised them from the time they were puppies so there's a strong bond between us," Steele said. "I enjoy watching them play and interact with each other; you don't need a television with Amy and Riley around! Amy is clingy, protective and talented; she can do lots of tricks. Riley is more independent and aggressive. They're both loyal and obedient, and they give me unconditional love. It's just as natural for me to want a picture of them as any other member of my family."
Stan Wright Photography is at 2080 S. King St. Suite 205. Call 944-8514. Rates for pet photo sessions begin at $45 in the studio and $75 outdoors.
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Stan Wright offers the following tips to ensure a pleasant portrait session for your pet. Getting a great pet portrait
>> Make sure your pet is bathed and groomed. "I really believe animals know they are 'more beautiful' when they return from the groomer, and behave accordingly."If you're taking your own pictures, Wright recommends that you position your lens at the level of your pet to get the best composition. Instead of posed photos, go for candids of people interacting with pets. "Some of your best shots will be when they are NOT looking at the camera," he says.>> Train your pet. "They should at least know all the basic commands, especially sit and stay!"
>> If possible, bring your pet to the studio a few times prior to the session to familiarize it with the setting and the photographer. These visits don't have to be long; even five minutes is fine. "They're more apt to relax in an environment they recognize."
>> Supply your own props, including bows, baskets, hats or a pet's favorite toy. "For a Christmas portrait, one lady brought a sleigh, presents, decorations and a tree. Her dog was dressed up like a reindeer. I've photographed families in matching outfits -- including their pet!"
>> Don't forget to pack treats to give to your pet after the session is over as a reward. "Don't feed the dog for several hours beforehand so he'll be hungry and want the treats."
"Set the animal and the people where you want them, then capture what happens. For example, have Grandma hold and cuddle her little dog, and take pictures of the two of them enjoying each other's company."
Serendipity often comes into play. "If the cat or dog suddenly does something funny or cute and you miss it, try and re-create the action," Wright suggests. "Put them back in the same spot and hope they do it again. You always have to be on your toes so you don't miss anything."
Film is cheap, Wright says, and digital images cost little after the initial camera cost. "So take lots of pictures. That truly priceless photo could be the very next frame you shoot!"
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