As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we’ve had here at Paw Print Studio. This was the year I took this from a pet photography hobby to a Pet Photography business. Learning how to run a business has been so much more rewarding than I even imagined - and the opportunity to meet amazing pet parents and work with their dogs and cats is the job of my dreams!

Capturing Moments, One Paw at a Time 📸

This year, with the help of my incredibly patient and supportive husband, we photographed 51 dogs, 2 cats, and 10 rescue dogs! Each session brought its own unique charm and challenges, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to capture the personalities and quirks of these wonderful pets.

Cover Stars 🌟

This year, my images were featured on the cover of 2 magazines; Connecticut Dog Magazine and Modern Dog Magazine.

Modern Dog Magazine was simply a dream come true when I was contacted to use my image. I have always dreamed of seeing my work on the magazine shelves of Barnes and Noble - and this year that dream came true. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t continually go in just to look at it :). I hope this is just the first of many!

In addition, I was presented with the opportunity to photograph a rescue dog for the cover of Connecticut Dog Magazine. I recommended a dog named Maple that I knew was down on it’s luck and struggling going from foster to foster for over a year. Maple is a wonderful dog but needs a very particular type of owner able to dedicate time towards training. Once Maple was featured on the cover, it gave her just the right amount of exposure to find that perfect person and she is now living her best life on a farm in Vermont.

Recognition and Features

Dog on yellow background with Pet Photographer of the Year Silver badge — I was honored to receive a silver and bronze award in the International Pet Photography Awards! This is such an honor to be recognized alongside some of our industry greats. The most exciting part of the process was the feedback from the judges on my images which I can use to keep improving my craft.

My images are also on display at The Talcott Collective in Simsbury! While introducing a new line of various hot dog varieties, my images of dogs catching treats with hilarious expressions accompany each creatively named type of hotdog. Go check it out and enjoy some delicious food!

Vegas Bound for Pet Photography Awesomeness ✈️

One of the highlights of the year was jetting off to Las Vegas for an incredible Pet Photography conference. Connecting with and drawing inspiration from the best in the business was an experience like no other. It's amazing how sharing ideas and techniques can elevate our craft to new heights. I also connected with 3 other Connecticut Pet Photographers and we became fast friends - collaboration not competition!

Elevating the Client Experience 🌈

Every decision I make in my business is to improve my clients’ experience and make sure they walk away with something truly invaluable to them. I've tweaked and adjusted every step of the process to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey from the initial consultation to the final delivery of pet portrait artwork. The most important part of the process for me is the questionnaire my clients fill out to provide me with input on areas where I can improve. My aim is to not only provide top-notch portraits, but to also make sure my clients feel supported and guided throughout the whole experience so they receive with what is most important to them. It’s a big decision to sign up for a portrait session and I want my clients to feel confident and excited throughout the whole process.

Studio Makeover: More Comfortable, More Safe 🏡

The studio got a makeover too! With a focus on comfort and safety for our furry friends, I revamped the space to create an environment where pets can relax and shine in front of the camera. Your pet's comfort is at the heart of every session. We installed new garage doors that are much quieter and keep the warmth inside during these colder months. We also upgrade the floors to provide a smooth, easy to clean surface. I’ve upgraded my equipment to cordless lights to prevent any accidental tripping and I’ve upgraded my backdrops to reduce waste and to be much simpler, faster and quieter when switching between colors. For now, my home garage studio is absolutely perfect - but at some point I will expand to a studio space in West Hartford town center where my pet-focused small business can be a part of the fabric of our town. That’s the dream anyway!

Looking Forward to More Tail-Wagging Adventures 🐕

As we wrap up this year, I'm filled with gratitude for each and every dog and cat that walked through our studio doors. I have so many fun ideas planned for 2024 - some are already in the works such as a day of photographing rescues in Rhode Island or a day of treat catching mini-sessions in partnership with Paul’s Custom Dog Food. There are many more ideas that are currently in the works and I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings! 🎉🐾

Sara Huber, owner and photographer at Paw Print Studio

Sara Huber, photographer and Jeremy Edney, Dog Wrangler/Whisperer

If you’re interested in a portrait session for your pet, head over to our booking page to start with a free consultation. SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

2023 Year in Review