Pets and Pet Owners

Here is another area where you can make money with your digital camera.

Most proud pet owners would love to have professional photos taken of their pets at special events and out to public places.

You should contact the organizers of special events like dog and cat shows and make a deal to provide a digital photography service. Promote your services in such a way that the event organizers understand how your presence enhances the event. You could offer to provide event photographs in exchange for setting up a photography booth from which you will take orders, or you could arrange to pay them a set fee or a percentage of your profits.

Here are some possibilities for a digital photography service to pet owners?

• Pet Shows

Just about all cities hold pet shows such as cat shows, dog shows and horse shows. You should find out when the next pet show is happening in the city nearest you, and contact the organizers with your offer to be on site taking photographs. It is sometimes advisable to pay for a booth at the show so you will have a 'Home Base' from which to promote your service.

Pet owners who show their animals in competitions are fiercely proud of their animals. They groom these pets to within an inch of their live, and fuss over them like a new grandmother with her first grandbaby.

These people will pay good money to have their pet photographed - especially while the judging is happening and most definitely if a prize is awarded. This is an opportunity that begs for an enterprising digital photographer like yourself to show up and start taking orders.

Run a Google search for cat shows, dog shows, etc., to learn the dates and locations. Alternatively, search for cat, dog and horse associations and inquire about shows.

• Take Your Pet to Church Day.

Some churches offer a special blessing day, inviting members of the congregation to bring their pet to an Animal Blessing service. Contact the pastor and see what kind of deal you can work out. These pets will be dogs for the most part, since cats are less keen on accompanying owners in public.

• Swim with Your Dog Day

In many communities the recreation centers publicize a Swim with Your Dog Day on the day before they drain the pool for its annual cleaning. If your local recreation center doesn't do this then maybe you could suggest it to them.

• Work a Deal With Your Local Pet Shop

Have a local pet shop advertises your presence on a certain day or time. Pet owners can bring their animals in for digital photographs on that day and you show up, take orders, photograph the pets, and arrange a delivery method. The pet shop benefits, the pet owners benefit and you benefit. The animals probably get plenty of treats for posing, so they're happy too!

The best way to do this is if you can set up a private area somewhere in the shop when you take the photographs. Nervous, excitable animals are best photographed in quiet surroundings. Lighting is also a consideration. Avoid using a flash if possible, or if you must, do not point the flash in the animals' eyes.

When photographing young animals, it?s a good idea to provide some props and toys. You might have to engage the animal in an activity before he rewards you with a good pose.

• Work With Animal Breeders

People who breed pedigreed animals such as cats, dogs, horses, birds and other species have contact with new and potential pet owners. These pet owners spend big money on a pedigreed animal. They won't hesitate for a moment about paying for good photographs of their young pup or kitty. You can provide the breeder with coupons promoting your service. Pay the breeder with some free photographs or a finders fee as an enticement if you receive an order from one of their customers.

Many animal breeders ship their animals to owners located all over the world. You should try to negotiate a deal with the breeder to include a few photographs as part of the package the breeder sells to a new owner.

In exchange for marketing your service as part of this overall package, you might offer to take some photographs of the breeder's environment and the animals for sale. She can use these photos on her web site or on other promotional materials.

The pet industry is thriving, and photographing these beloved pets is an excellent way to make money from digital photography.