FAQs

The Dog Studio NM offers several portrait experiences designed around dogs and the people who love them:

• Studio Dog Portrait Session
• Dog & Owner Portrait Session
• Family Portraits With Dogs
• Senior & Legacy Dog Portrait Session

Each experience is professionally guided and tailored around your dog’s personality, comfort level, and the people you would like included.

If you’re not sure which session is right for you, our team will be happy to help.

Dogs are our specialty, but we may photograph cats and other beloved pets upon request.

Contact our studio before booking if you would like to bring an animal other than a dog so we can make sure we can safely and comfortably accommodate them.

Our portrait sessions are approximately one hour unless your booking confirmation states otherwise.

That gives us time to help your dog settle in, create a variety of portraits, change poses or groupings, and take breaks when needed.

We never want your dog to feel rushed.

From time to time, The Dog Studio NM offers special complimentary portrait experiences through advertisements, promotions, partnerships, giveaways, and special projects.

If you qualify for one of these offers, the regular portrait session fee is waived.

Your complimentary experience typically includes:

• An approximately one-hour professional portrait session
• Professional studio lighting and artistic direction
• Professional image preparation
• A separate private Viewing & Ordering Appointment
• One professionally printed portrait in the size stated in your specific offer

Depending on the promotion, your complimentary portrait will typically be either a 10-inch or 14-inch portrait.

Always refer to your advertisement or booking confirmation for the exact complimentary portrait included with your offer.

Yes.

If you have reserved a qualifying complimentary portrait session, there is no charge for the portrait sitting itself.

There is also no required additional artwork purchase.

The complimentary session and the complimentary printed portrait described in your offer are yours whether or not you decide to purchase anything else.

No.

There is absolutely no obligation to purchase additional artwork.

At your Viewing & Ordering Appointment, you will see the portraits created during your session and choose the artwork you would like to own.

Many of our clients fall in love with more than one portrait and choose to commission additional artwork, but that decision is entirely yours.

If you only want the complimentary portrait included with your qualifying promotion, we are happy to honor that.

Your specific advertisement, certificate, invitation, or booking confirmation will tell you the size of the complimentary portrait included with your offer.

Our complimentary promotions typically include either a 10-inch or 14-inch professionally printed portrait.

The complimentary portrait includes one portrait image.

It cannot be exchanged for cash, divided between multiple products, substituted for a digital image, or combined with another promotional offer unless we specifically approve otherwise.

No, unless your individual promotion specifically says that a digital image is included.

Your complimentary gift is a professionally printed portrait.

High-resolution digital images, additional portraits, wall art, albums, collections, frames, and other artwork are available separately for clients who would like them.

No.

Just like a commissioned professional portrait session, we create many images throughout the photography process.

Our artists then select and professionally prepare the strongest portraits that meet The Dog Studio NM’s artistic standards.

RAW files, test images, duplicates, lighting tests, unfinished images, and unretouched images are not included or available for purchase.

You will see a curated collection of professionally prepared portraits at your Viewing & Ordering Appointment.

Yes.

Professionally finished digital portraits are available for purchase.

Digital images are separate from the portrait session unless your specific collection, artwork purchase, or promotional offer expressly states that they are included.

Our team can explain the current digital options and pricing before or during your Viewing & Ordering Appointment.

Absolutely.

We want our clients to feel informed before they visit us.

Artwork pricing varies depending on the portraits, sizes, finishes, collections, albums, wall art, and digital options you choose.

We are happy to provide current pricing information before your appointment so you can understand your options ahead of time.

There is no required additional artwork purchase for a complimentary promotional session.

Your portrait session and your Viewing & Ordering Appointment take place at separate times.

After your photography session, our team will schedule a private Viewing & Ordering Appointment for you.

Depending on availability and your session, your viewing may take place in person or virtually.

This is when you will experience your finished portrait collection for the first time.

We make the process easy and personally guide you through everything.

During your appointment, we will:

• Present the portraits selected from your session
• Help you select your complimentary portrait, when applicable
• Show you artwork sizes and finishes
• Help you design wall portraits or collections
• Explain album and digital options
• Review pricing
• Answer your questions
• Help you place an order if you choose to purchase additional artwork

There is no obligation to make an additional purchase.

Yes.

The Viewing & Ordering Appointment is part of the complimentary portrait experience because this is when you view your eligible portraits and select the image that will become your complimentary printed portrait.

Attending your viewing does not require you to purchase anything.

If another person will be involved in deciding which portraits or artwork your household would like to own, we strongly recommend having them attend.

Your Viewing & Ordering Appointment is designed so you can see the complete portrait collection together, select your favorites, and make any artwork decisions at that time.

We recommend making your portrait selections during your Viewing & Ordering Appointment.

The Dog Studio NM is a working portrait studio and we cannot guarantee that unpurchased portrait files will be stored indefinitely.

If a portrait is especially meaningful to you, selecting it during your viewing ensures that it is preserved as part of your order.

Unpurchased portraits may not be photographed, screen-recorded, screen-captured, scanned, copied, or otherwise reproduced from your portrait presentation.

The images remain copyrighted by The Dog Studio NM unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.

If you love a portrait, our team will be happy to show you the available ways to own it.

Yes.

We understand that plans change.

Please provide at least 72 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule.

For a standard paid session, your session fee may ordinarily be transferred one time to another available appointment when at least 72 hours’ notice is provided.

For a complimentary promotional session, your qualifying offer may ordinarily be transferred one time to another available appointment, subject to availability and any expiration period associated with your promotion.

Late cancellations, repeated rescheduling, or missed appointments may result in forfeiture of a session fee or complimentary promotional offer.

If you are dealing with a sudden illness, pet medical emergency, severe weather, or another unusual circumstance, please contact us as soon as possible.

Our photographers and studio team reserve time specifically for every client.

If you miss your appointment without contacting us, your complimentary session and promotional portrait may be forfeited.

You are always welcome to contact us about scheduling another portrait session, but a future appointment may be subject to our regular session fee.

Please contact us as soon as possible.

Late arrival does not extend the scheduled ending time of your session because we may have other clients scheduled after you.

If enough time remains, we will do everything we reasonably can to create a beautiful session within the remaining appointment time.

If you arrive so late that we can no longer safely or professionally complete the experience, we may need to reschedule the appointment.

Absolutely.

Please tell us how many dogs you would like photographed when you reserve your appointment so we can prepare accordingly.

Depending on the session, we may photograph dogs individually, together, and in different combinations with their people.

Large groups or especially complex combinations may require additional planning or session time.

If you have several dogs, contact us before booking and we will recommend the best experience for your family.

Yes — and we encourage it!

Our Dog & Owner Portrait Session and Family Portraits With Dogs experiences are specifically designed to celebrate the connection between pets and their people.

We can create portraits of your dog individually as well as portraits with you, your partner, children, or family.

Please tell us who will be participating when you book so we can plan your session appropriately.

Absolutely.

Our Senior & Legacy Dog Portrait Sessions are created specifically for older, aging, medically fragile, or deeply cherished dogs whose families want to preserve their legacy.

We work patiently and adapt the photography around your dog's needs.

Your dog does not need to sit perfectly, stand for long periods, or perform for the camera.

We can modify poses, photograph your dog lying down, provide additional breaks, and work at a pace that keeps them comfortable.

Your dog's wellbeing always comes before getting a particular photograph.

Not at all.

Your dog does not need professional training to have professional portraits created.

We photograph real dogs with real personalities.

Our photographers use professional posing techniques, patience, treats, toys, sounds, lighting, and plenty of creativity to capture beautiful expressions and moments.

You may be surprised by what we can create.

Potentially, yes.

Please tell us before your appointment if your dog has anxiety, fear of strangers, reactivity toward other dogs or people, a bite history, escape tendencies, or other behavioral concerns.

That information helps us prepare the environment and approach the session safely.

Depending on your dog's needs, we may modify the session, use additional safety precautions, or recommend a different setup.

Our goal is never to force a dog into a situation that makes them uncomfortable.

Please arrive with your dog securely leashed or appropriately restrained.

For many portraits we can safely remove or reposition a leash when appropriate.

If keeping a leash on your dog is the safest option, we can often work around it photographically.

Our photographer will determine what is appropriate based on your dog and the circumstances of the session.

Yes, treats can be extremely helpful for getting attention and rewarding your dog during the session.

Please tell us about any food allergies or dietary restrictions before we give your dog anything.

You're also welcome to bring your dog's favorite small, high-value treats.

A few simple things can make a big difference.

If appropriate for your dog, consider grooming and trimming their nails shortly before the session.

A walk before your appointment can also help some dogs release extra energy and become more comfortable in the studio.

Please bring:

• A secure leash
• Small favorite treats
• Any favorite toy that gets your dog's attention
• Any special item you would like us to consider incorporating
• Water or medication your dog may need
• Information about allergies, health limitations, or behavioral concerns

Most importantly, don't worry about getting your dog to behave perfectly.

That's our job.

We recommend timeless clothing that keeps the focus on you and your dog.

Dark solid colors, black, neutrals, and earth tones photograph beautifully in our studio.

We generally recommend avoiding large logos, neon colors, extremely busy patterns, and clothing that competes visually with your dog.

If you're unsure what to wear, send us a few options before your appointment and we're happy to help.

We adjust.

Dogs aren't props, and every dog has a different attention span and comfort level.

We can take breaks, change poses, simplify what we're asking your dog to do, or move on to another setup.

If we believe continuing the session is unsafe or unfair to your dog, we may pause or end the photography.

Their wellbeing comes first.

Please contact us.

If your dog has a contagious illness, is medically unstable, or is experiencing something that could make the photography stressful or unsafe, we would rather discuss rescheduling than put your dog at risk.

The same applies if a human participant is experiencing a contagious illness.

Occasionally, photographer illness, emergencies, severe weather, equipment problems, or other unexpected circumstances may require us to reschedule.

If we have to move a complimentary appointment, you will not lose the promotional benefits that were confirmed with your qualifying reservation.

If we are unable to provide a paid session or a mutually acceptable replacement appointment, the session fee paid for the unperformed session will be refunded.

Our physical artwork is custom created specifically for each client.

Before your order is submitted for production, you will have an opportunity to review your image selections, products, sizes, finishes, quantities, and other important order details.

Once you approve a custom artwork order and it enters production, it ordinarily cannot be canceled, exchanged, changed, or refunded because of a change of mind or preference.

If we make an error, or your artwork arrives with a verified manufacturing defect or production damage, please contact us promptly.

We stand behind our workmanship and will work to correct, repair, reprint, or replace eligible defective artwork.

Nothing in our policies limits any rights or remedies that cannot legally be waived.

Because a digital image cannot meaningfully be returned after it has been delivered or made accessible, final digital portrait purchases are generally non-returnable.

If you receive a corrupted file, an incomplete file, or the wrong purchased image, please contact us and we will correct the problem.

The Dog Studio NM retains the copyright to the photographs we create unless we specifically transfer copyright through a separate written agreement.

When you purchase digital portraits, you receive the personal-use rights associated with your order.

That allows you to enjoy and share your portraits for personal purposes, but it does not transfer the underlying copyright or automatically permit commercial use.

We love sharing the beautiful work we create, but copyright ownership and permission to use an identifiable person's likeness for advertising are separate matters.

For our ordinary portrait sessions and complimentary promotional sessions, identifiable photographs of you or your children may be used for Studio marketing when the appropriate image-use or model-release authorization has been provided.

A parent or legal guardian must provide any required authorization involving an identifiable minor.

Certain clearly identified modeling, publication, magazine, charity, or artistic projects may require permission to publish photographs as part of participating in that specific project. If so, we will explain that requirement before your appointment is reserved.

We cannot guarantee permanent storage of every image created during a session.

Unpurchased portraits may eventually be permanently removed from our active systems after the ordering process has been completed.

If you purchase digital files, we strongly recommend downloading them promptly and keeping your own backups.

The Dog Studio NM does not guarantee indefinite archival storage or future replacement of purchased digital files.

Your complimentary portrait is ordered after you select the image during your Viewing & Ordering Appointment.

Because each portrait is professionally produced and finished, production times can vary.

We will contact you when your artwork is ready for pickup or when another delivery arrangement applies.

Generally, no.

Complimentary offers are typically limited to one qualifying promotional offer per household per campaign and cannot be combined with other promotional certificates or complimentary artwork offers unless The Dog Studio NM specifically approves otherwise.

Your booking confirmation will identify the promotion associated with your reservation.

Different advertising campaigns may include different complimentary portrait sizes or promotional benefits.

For example, one campaign may include a 10-inch portrait while another may include a 14-inch portrait.

The offer associated with your qualifying reservation determines what is included with your experience.

Once your qualifying appointment is confirmed, we will honor the complimentary benefits associated with that reservation.

The Dog Studio NM was created as a specialized portrait experience focused on dogs and the people who love them.

We are part of the Kim Jew Photography family, bringing decades of professional portrait experience and artistry to a studio built specifically around pets and their people.

We want you to arrive feeling excited, informed, and completely comfortable with your portrait experience.

If you have questions about your session, complimentary offer, included portrait, artwork pricing, digital images, multiple dogs, family portraits, senior dogs, or your Viewing & Ordering Appointment, please contact us.