Family photos are a special part of everyone’s year. But there are still some things to figure out once you decide on a photographer (which, let’s face it, is the most important part). You still need to pick out what type of outfits you are going to wear. What colors you want to have as the main focus. And the location is another biggie! But one thing people don’t think of, is how to best enjoy taking your family photos.
I had the distinct pleasure of having professional pictures taken by Nate Dale with New Adventure Productions. It was a phenomenal experience and I highly suggest people work with Nate. He has an amazing eye for photography and took so many stellar pictures. My clients that were included in the photo shoot were impressed with the pictures and were so happy Nate was easy to work with.
I love to be able to collaborate with other local small business owners and I had a thought to reach out to Nate and take the time getting to know him better. Nate and I were talking about how to get the best family photos possible with your dog, and I thought people would love to hear his amazing advice.
Nate, tell us a little about yourself and your company. I’d love for folks to get to know you!
What is it about photography that you love? Well, I love the ability to capture a moment that will be looked upon for potentially generations. What do we have left of our grandparents and great grandparents at this point? Memories and photos. Memories can fade over time but a photograph really helps take us back to that moment when mom made her special Christmas-Hanukkah cookies of 1993 or when grandma and grandpa celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. These are moments that live in our memories but are brought back to life with photographs.
What is the best part of being a photographer?
I think that the best part of being a photographer is the ability to help people realize that what they normally see in local photographs doesn’t have to be their photos as well. I specialize in travel and intimate candid photography. Recently, a local Lafayette, Indiana family flew me to Colorado to have their portraits taken in the mountains. The couple was celebrating 10 years of marriage and had brought their two girls along. The photos that we have in this cool place will be some of my favorites forever because of how epic everything looks. For those that don’t wish to travel for portraits, I try to approach family photography with an active, fun, and loving mindset. I want everyone to have fun and to laugh, run and play with one another. Gone are the days of the stiff studio portrait sessions that no one seemed to really enjoy. Everything is about an authentic look into your life and family story.
What do you suggest for your clients to get the most out of their pictures with their dog and family?
Bringing your dog to family photos is super important because just like your children or your partner, they are a part of the family. Every dog is different and has a unique personality on its own. If you want to bring your dog to the family photo shoot, consider trying a few things in advance of the shoot.
1. Take the dog to the location of the shoot in advance. Our pups will be excited to be in a new place so a familiar place, while still novel, will require less sniffing and exploring.
2. Try to take the dog for a walk or play with he or she before the shoot. A dog with less energy is likely to be a better candidate for sitting still during those more cozy closeup shots. Of course, we will have lots of opportunities to play and run and jump too but a slightly worn out pup is much easier to handle.
3. Take them to the groomer before your shoot. Just like you, your partner, and your children, having a well manicured dog will make your photo look more cohesive and will make your pup shine!
4. Bring toys, treats, and a water bowl for your shoot. All the excitement, running, jumping, and playing will inevitably lead to a thirsty dog. So having a water bowl and water on hand will be very helpful. Also having a few treats or toys that they are motivated by will enhance the session further so you can ensure that your dog is on their best behavior.
What do you suggest when someone wants to include several family members or dogs in their pictures?
If you’re looking for an extended family session and want to include multiple dogs, some of which are not your own, be sure that you’ve acclimated them with one another. Every dog is different and some have been more socialized than others. By socializing your dog with the dogs that they’ll be photographed near, it’ll help you keep a better handle on things and reduce any occurrences of aggression.
For extended family sessions with dogs the same applies. If your dog loves grandma but never gets to see her, take him over to visit and play a few times before the shoot. Also, consider arriving early to the photoshoot (tough, I know with 15 other people) and spend some time playing and spending time with your family and furry friends. This also will calm your dog before our shoot which will make things go much smoother.
What kind of things can folks do leading up to the day of their photoshoot to be best prepared? Socializing your dog with family members and other dogs will be helpful. As I also mentioned above, having your dog groomed and brushed before your session will make everyone look their best. And be sure to visit the spot you’re going to so they can have time to explore and enjoy before your photo session.
What are the different services you offer for folks?
While I do photograph select families, I am primarily a wedding and destination elopement photographer. I really value travel and time spent together. Beyond just photographing destination weddings and elopements, I really enjoy the process of helping my couples build their itinerary.
I love traveling and in 2020 we had the amazing opportunity to visit 8 states to photograph couples. 2021 will see us in places like Rome, Big Sur, Portland, Cannon Beach, Salt Lake City, The Rocky Mountain National Park, and maybe even the caribbean. Helping my couples to plan not only their photography but also their entire trip has proved very rewarding and fulfilling. Because we live in a very beautiful but also very landlocked state, I love challenging the notions of what can be done with photography and weddings. Why limit ourselves to something local if we love the ocean or the mountains?
In between my flights to and fro, I work contractually with different real estate companies photographing homes and businesses. I also enjoy working with small businesses on creating brand-centric images for their websites and social media.
What is the best way for folks to reach you?
You can see all my work at the website. You can also follow our wedding and elopement adventures on Instagram @newadventureproductions. Finally, you can always send me an email at nate@newadventureproductions.com
Click here for Nate's website.
If you have any questions about training your dog for photos click here.
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