How will I receive my photos?
Your purchased photos can be received via the Pivotal Paws Photography website using a special download link and code.
How you wish to receive your photos is entirely up to you, though. I am happy to accommodate whatever method is easiest for you.
How Long will it take for me to receive my photos?
For Mini Shoot Sessions, the post-processing timeframe is typically 5 to 21 business days. The exact turnaround depends on:
- The number of images you have selected.
- The volume of editing currently in my queue.
- My full time work schedule.
For general event photos, post-processing is usually completed within 10 business days.
These timeframes can vary based on several external factors, including the demands of my full time job and the number of orders already awaiting editing. I will always aim to deliver your images as efficiently as possible, and if any unexpected delays arise, I will notify you.
How do i pay for my photos?
Once you have selected your photos, I will send an invoice through my HNRY system. This invoice will include all payment details, including the total amount due and your available payment options.
You can choose to pay by direct bank transfer or card. Please note that any card payments will include a small surcharge. For direct bank transfers, please remember to use your invoice number in the reference.
All required information will be clearly outlined on the invoice for your convenience.
How Many Photos will I receive from my mini-shoot?
The number of photos you receive will depend on which package you choose:
- The Bite Sized Package includes 3 fully edited images.
- The Pivotal Paws Event Package includes 6 fully edited images.
You also have the option to purchase “add on” images. These can be added in any quantity and you may choose between full edits and the event style edits. There is no limit to the number of add on images.
How do I go about Booking a "Standard on location" Photoshoot for Auckland/Upper Waikato?
Booking a standard “On Location” photoshoot in Auckland or upper Waikato photoshoot is pretty easy. Simply send me a message via social media or email, and we can arrange a time that works for both of us.
These on location sessions are generally available when I have a weekend or two “off” (i.e. no agility events) or when I have a day off from my full time job. If you have specific dates in mind, feel free to reach out; I will always do my best to accommodate you.
Do I need to pay a deposit for a mini-shoot?
Whether a deposit is required depends on the type of photo shoot you are booking:
Event Mini Shoots:
No deposit is required. These sessions take place at event grounds during any down time, so they are not fully scheduled in advance and are dependent on the weekend/day, and I will not be travelling specifically for the mini shoot.
Standard On Location Photoshoots:
A deposit is required. The deposit amount is equal to the smallest package: The Playful Paws Package ($80.00).
This deposit does not lock you into the Playful Paws package. If you decide to upgrade after viewing your proof gallery, you will simply just need to pay the remaining balance for your chosen package.
What if my dog doesn't have a good sit and/or wait?
Great news! That’s absolutely okay. Your dog does not need a perfect sit or stay to have beautiful photos taken.
If your dog is more comfortable staying on leash, that’s no problem at all. For fully edited images, I can remove the leash during the editing process so the final result looks clean and natural.
Many dogs who struggle to sit still still photograph wonderfully. It may mean we get a little creative, think outside the box, or skip the traditional portrait pose altogether. With a bit of patience, most dogs settle into the session, and we often capture their best expressions once they relax.
In some situations, keeping your dog on leash is the safest option, and you should never feel hesitant to choose what keeps them comfortable and secure.
I have more than one dog, will I be able to bring both/all dogs to the mini-shoot?
Absolutely! As a multi-dog owner myself, I’m more than happy to photograph your whole furry family in a single mini shoot. I know how important it is to capture all of your pets without needing to book multiple sessions or pay extra fees. And yes, you, the humans can also get involved! Often candid interactions with our dogs make for the most heart-felt loving photos!
There is no additional charge for bringing extra dogs (or other pets or humans). The only thing that remains the same is the number of final images included in your mini shoot/photoshoot package that you choose.
If you’d like to include multiple dogs in your session, just let me know when booking so I can plan the shoot accordingly.
What do "Fully edited" and "event style edited" mean?
These terms describe the different levels of post processing your photos can receive.
Fully Edited Images:
Fully edited images go through two stages of editing:
- A foundational edit in Adobe Lightroom to adjust lighting, colour, and overall visual balance.
- A more detailed artistic edit in Adobe Photoshop, where additional enhancements, colour and light gradients, etc, are made to create a polished, fine-art style finish.
This process takes longer and results in a more refined, stylised image. Full edits are typically used for portrait style photos where the goal is to create something a little more artistic and visually striking.
Event Style Edits:
Basic or event style edits are completed entirely in Adobe Lightroom. These images are still adjusted and cleaned up, but the editing is less intensive and maintains a more natural, true-to-life look.
All event photos are delivered with this style of editing.
Can I adjust the images further after receiving them?
Once your photos have been delivered and paid for, they are technically your property. However, I kindly ask that you follow a simple “photographer-client code of conduct” by not altering the images further on your own.
If you would like something adjusted, whether it’s colour, lighting, leash removal, or a small retouch, please reach out! I’m always happy to discuss your concerns and will do my best to make edits that align with your expectations.
A Note About AI Editing:
With AI tools becoming increasingly popular, I ask for your consideration when using them on your final images. While fun, creative filters (such as generating cartoon characters) are absolutely fine, I do request that you avoid using AI to create “realistic” alterations, for example: adding dogs into a scene, changing backgrounds to mimic realism, or modifying the image in a way that misrepresents the original work.
This request is made out of respect for the artistic process and the integrity of the final images that you receive.
Do I get to choose which photos I get in a mini-shoot package?
Absolutely! You have two options when it comes to the final photos.
If you prefer a bit more mystery and look forward to being surprised at the final photos, I am able to select some of my personal favourites from the collection of photos taken and edit those up according to the number of photos received in a package. After that has been done, I will upload them to a collection gallery on the website (alongside the unedited photos that did not exactly make my "top picks") and you will receive a link to view the folder. If you decide that you would have preferred a different photo, I will happily go back and edit that one instead of what I have selected.
If you would like to choose your own photos straight off the bat and aren't too concerned with any surprises, I will upload all of the unedited raw photos to a collection gallery where you will be able to choose the ones that you would like to be a) highly edited and b) lightly edited, and we will go from there.
Either way, you will be a part of the process!
In What format do I receive my images?
All images will be provided as the default .jpg files; however, if you are printing the photos to frame or add to a canvas, please let me know and I will send through the larger, high quality .png files too.
The .png files are what I would recommend be used for any printing.
And just an FYI, all going well, I am hoping to add the option to get a photo printed straight from the website in the future. So, watch this space!
Are the prices per image on top of a sitting fee?
You may notice in our Prices section that there is a "single edited photo" for $15.00. This is completely different to the mini-shoot. The mini-shoot is dedicated to you and your dogs, whereas the single edited photo is generally if you have found in an agility album a portrait shot of your dog that you'd like to have edited further than the basic light-touch editing used for agility shots, then this editing will cost you a bit extra as opposed to the "single photo" option.
I hope that is a bit clearer?
Event Mini Shoot vs Standard "on location" auckland mini shoot?
Which mini shoot package do you opt for here? Well, first off, you need to ask yourself - Am I going to an Dog Spots Event? If the answer is "YES", then the Event mini shoot packages will apply to you. This is because the event mini shoot packages are based on the premise that I will be on location at the event myself, so there's no extra travel needing to be arranged. We simply find a time when we're both not running our dogs where we can find a nice area of the event to do some pretty photographs.
The "On Location" Auckland mini shoots are basically for those weekends when I am free and available in Auckland. They will have some travelling involved as we'll aim to meet up at a mutual location for photos so we also need to consider things like petrol costs and time etc. Hence the price differences!
How Long are the mini shoot sessions?
I have no time limit put aside for mini shoot sessions; I am happy to shoot as long as is needed to ensure that you have a sufficient amount of photos to choose from to meet the minimum amount of photos for a package.
If this is an event mini shoot, it may require us to have multiple smaller sessions throughout the day as I understand it can be quite time sensitive when we're all out there running our dogs; or we can opt for a longer session at the end of the day. The choice is up to you. But, I never want you or your dogs to feel rushed. Sometimes, we have to be patient to capture those beautiful moments!