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The Many Ways To Enjoy Custom Artwork From Your Pet's Portrait Session

Friday, August 27, 2021 | By: Tracy Allard

I have a secret to admit; I was once one of those people who thought "Why print when I have all my pictures on my computer?" Then two things happened, a couple of years apart, but both significant in their impact. The first was the hard drive on my computer failed; eight hundred dollars later they were able to recover a lot of the data on it, but at least half of my personal pictures were gone forever. Many of these were snapshots, but still, they were the snapshots of my life. My husband, our pets, trips taken, family get togethers; it was agonizing.  

When I got back up and running again, I didn't necessarily start printing then, but I did get a whole lot more serious about regular backups even on my personal computer (my work computer is backed up in 3 places!).

I probably took photography classes for a year before I ever made my first print which was the second significant event. I know it sounds weird, but much of my corporate career was spent on a computer, it was just "natural". Then I took a class on the mechanics of printing; color profiles, black point densities, adjusting for the difference between paper types, adjusting for the difference between a backlit screen and paper (it is involved to do it well). The class ended with us creating a large format print of an image that we worked on in the class. When I held it in my hands, I couldn't stop staring at it. It was gorgeous and I was hooked; photographs are meant to be printed. 

There's even an official effort to get people to print their photographs, it's called The Print Movement and you can read more about it here. There is nothing that can match holding a print of your child or beloved pet in your hands, seeing it hang on the wall of your home, or stand on your desk, to enjoy every day. Print. It's worth it. 

My goal with pet portrait sessions is to create custom, one-of-a-kind artwork of YOUR pet to enjoy in your home or office. Why buy generic art when you can have something more personal and meaningful to decorate your home? Below are some of my most popular options to print images from your pet's photo session. I offer multiple wall art options for every taste and decor, beautiful bespoke albums and various items to enjoy on bookshelves, nightstands and your office desk. 

(click on any image to view full screen)

Decorate Your Home With Custom Wall Art Of Your Pet

Wall art is by far the most popular print product that I offer. Because we have a wide variety of home decors here in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex, I offer everything from modern acrylic and metal prints to the more traditional framed mounted prints and canvas gallery wraps and some truly unique options in between.

During the pre-session consultation we'll discuss if you'd like wall art for a specific place in your home like above the fireplace, or along the stairs. If so, I'll ask that you send me a cell phone picture of the space so I can plan to capture horizontal or vertical images accordingly. We'll also take into account location so the color palette will be complimentary to your home's decor. 

Framed canvas gallery wrap is a perennial favorite

Tell The Story Of Your Dog Or Cat With A Story Print

Sometimes you can't commit to just one image of your pet for the wall, in that case I've got you covered with a custom-designed story print. I call them this because I think they tell the story of your pet, or you and your pet. It's a great way to enjoy those quirky images that you love (like your dog licking your scrunched up face), but don't necessarily want to print two feet high.

I create these myself (you always get the opportunity to approve the proof before it goes to print), using your favorite images from the session and offer them in four sizes and they can be printed with or without your pet's name on them. They are printed on 100% cotton fine art paper and are presented in archival, acid free museum-style mounting and classic, black gallery frame. 

A vertical example of a custom-designed Story Print

Story Prints are a great way to enjoy more than one image on a wall in your home

Turn Your Pet's Photo Into A Painting

Did you always want to have a painting of your pet but didn't think you could afford it? I've got a great solution for you. I offer a digital painting produced from one of the images taken during your session, or if it's high enough quality, an image that you have taken yourself. You'll have the opportunity to approve the electronic painting before it goes to print.

The process uses the Giclée method of applying ink to 100% cotton canvas which yields prints of stunning vibrancy and realism. The canvas is then mounted to a piece of masonite wood to stand the test of time and then in the final step is the application of a lacquer protectant with an actual brush, creating realistic physical brush strokes on your painting. The result is so similar to an actual oil painting, that no one can tell the difference. This is the perfect tribute to your heart dog, that once-in-a-lifetime furry soulmate that you'll never forget. 

The original photograph the digital artist worked from to create the painting

A first draft of the digital painting for client feedback

Why have generic artwork on your walls when you can have a painted portrait of your own pet

One-Of-A-Kind Bespoke Album Of Your Pet's Portrait Session

Albums are the perfect way to enjoy dozens of images from your pet's photo session. Starting at 20-pages, they allow us to include all of your favorites from the viewing appointment into one special book with which you will always remember your pet. Albums are great for multi-pet sessions, including images of each dog or cat by themselves as well as together. I like to include a lot of variety in albums; close up images of everything you love about your pet, epic portraits to span a centerfold, the two of you snuggling and more. Albums are custom designed by me and you'll have the opportunity to approve the layout before anything goes to print. 

I offer two other album options in addition to the modern display album pictured below. All are printed on photographic silk paper on thick substrate pages, are lay-flat without a gutter (the photograph goes across the centerline without interruption) and have the option to have your favorite photograph on the cover, or custom embossing. 

Modern display album stands up to show a favorite image on the cover, box covering is custom as well

Even the spine covering is custom, chosen from a large array of swatches

The clear acrylic covering protects the album but allows viewing enjoyment of the cover

Pages are a thick substrate, binding is stitched and the album lays flat without a gutter

Albums are a great way to enjoy dozens of images from. your pet's portrait session

Curved Metal Print With Photos Of Your Dog Printed On Both Sides

Metal prints are a popular choice for desktop and shelves, their simplicity and clean lines let the photograph be star and their color and vibrancy look great with outdoor portraits. "Flat" metal prints come with your choice of an easel back or a simple pin back that allow them to stand upright and as such, can only be printed on one side. The metal curve stands up on its own and therefore can be printed on both sides making it a client favorite for the desktop where you can enjoy two different images of you pet depending on your mood. Many clients choose an image of their dog on one side and one of them with their dog on the other. 

The inside of the curved metal print holds one image

The outside curve of the metal prints holds a second image, making it a popular choice for desktops

Pet Portraits Mounted Under Acrylic Glass

A personal favorite of mine is a print under acrylic glass, it's so dreamy and 3D-like, I want to reach into it with my hand. It's beautiful on skin tones and just altogether gorgeous. I offer prints under acrylic glass for wall art as well, but these two tabletop / shelf top options are real crowd pleasers. The traditional print comes with an easel back built in, no frame needed. These are hugely popular as Christmas gifts to friends and family members as they're ready to display out of the box and don't need a frame. Their look is clean and elegant so complements any decor. 

The modern print under acrylic glass comes with a black lacquer base in which the print stands upright at a ninety degree angle. It comes in the smaller size of 6x9 which is my most popular size for these and the metal curve; bigger than a 5x7 but smaller than an 8x10 - it's perfect. 

An 8x10 traditional print under acrylic glass

The traditional print under acrylic glass comes with a built-in easel

The modern print under acrylic glass with simple base in size 6x9

The Album Block Allows You To Select Ten Of Your Favorite Photos For Display

Is one, or two, not enough to enjoy on your shelf or desk? Then the album block is for you. The wood base holds ten of your favorite images to be rotated based on your mood. The base comes in four different colors; black, white, natural and dark stain, so there's something for every taste. Images are mounted on styrene so they won't bend and sprayed to protect against sun fade and finger prints. Select 5x7, 8x8 or 8x10 sized prints. 

NEW: Mounted Prints Displayed In A Hand-Crafted Curved Wood Base

I'm always on the lookout for unique products so when I saw these hand-crafted, curved wood bases, I thought they'd be a charming, organic way to present small 5x7 and 8x10 prints. Available in a natural beeswax-sealed oak, or with a classic ebony stain, these stylish stands gracefully present your pet's photograph without distracting from their beauty. 

Delivery, Care and Feeding Of Your Artwork

I delight in delivering your custom artwork order to your home and watching you open and see everything in print for the first time, it never gets old. Included in your delivery is everything you need to display, clean and hang your artwork. I don't want there to be anything in the way of your immediate enjoyment of your artwork. I'll even install your wall art if you'd like, I always have my install tool box in the car along with hammer, measuring tape, level and white gloves. 

In your bag(s) of goodies will be a few surprises, some sweets and an envelope containing information about the care of your custom artwork and digital files along with a USB card of your complimentary social media sharing files of your photos, and referral cards that can earn you free 8x10 prints and more tidbits. Everything packaged up as a wonderful gift to yourself. 

All tucked in and ready for delivery

Complimentary delivery service includes installation of your wall art

Your delivery will include everything you need to care for and install your custom artwork

Delivery Day Is My Favorite Day Of The Week

All Around The Circle

I can't wait to see what the other pet photographers around the world provide to their clients, I'm hoping to get some good ideas for 2022, first up is Jessica Wasik with Bark & Gold Photography, detailing how to care for your dog photography products and then continue clicking on the bottom of each post until you're right back here and then you will have completed the circle. 

Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Every year Tracy attends multiple photography conferences in order to find unique, quality products to keep her artwork offerings fresh and on-trend. 

Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.

Let's decorate your home with custom art work of your pet!
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