Super Dog Photographer

PAMELA COREY

“Providing tremendous creativity and service to individuals and their furry family members.”

Ten years ago I left the comfort of the corporate world (I was in international marketing at 20th Century Fox) to pursue photography. Up until 2017, my efforts were focused more on live music, events, and portraiture (humans), but in the summer of 2017 I took a position as lead photographer for a company that focused on pets, and I realized that was my true calling. Animals have always been a true love of mine, and once I started working with pets it became very clear to me that this is what I’m meant to be doing! That company closed, so I struck out on my own, and Fur Family Photos was born in the summer of 2018. - Pamela

I met Pamela at my WeWorks office in the Pacific Design Center. She had set up a display of her work in the Sky Lounge. After I poured myself a cappuccino I wandered over and started talking with her. She was enagaging, smart and very down to earth. I asked her if she would do an interview with me and she agreed. A few weeks later she shot photos of my two golden retreivers and they came out fabulous... a real treasure for my wife and me. Over the course of a month I finally got Pamela’s interview completed. I am delighted to present it here and I highly recommend dog lovers to engage her services.

Here’s the result.

When did you first think about photography as something you wanted to do? How did that evolve into Fur Family Photos? Were you encouraged or discouraged by family, friends, teachers, mentors??

Although I wasn’t aware of it at the time, my interest in photography started as a child when I received my first little point and shoot camera, and our family dog Missy had puppies. I was madly in love (and obsessed) with them, and I knew that I didn’t have much time with them since they would be leaving for their forever homes soon. I wanted to capture the distinct personalities of each one before they left, so I took photos of them to remind me of what each one was like… and POOF a documentary photographer was born!

It wasn’t until I left the corporate world of studio film marketing 10 years ago that I decided to focus on photography full time. Fortunately family and friends have supported me with words of encouragement throughout the ups and downs of the process. If not for them, I likely wouldn’t have endured the challenges along the way.

My own insecurities have been my worst enemy by far in my journey of pursuing photography. However, now that my path has lead me to focus on pet photography, I’ve fallen so in love with what I do that I approach it from a place of joy in being able to share something so special with my clients. I no longer come from a mindset of what I can get from my clients, but rather what I can give to my clients; and that passion and love for what I create has changed everything for me. I truly feel like I’ve found my home.

What kind of kid were you? Where did you grow up? What were your influences?

I was very fortunate to have a wonderful family and childhood. I grew up in Tucson, AZ. in a neighborhood where we bounced between different friend’s houses, and had to be home in time for dinner. Kindness and fairness were a few of the biggest lessons my parents instilled in me as I was growing up, and above all else I’d say I was a very sensitive child. I’ve been extremely empathetic as far back as I can remember; and the “do unto others” philosophy has always been my religion. I believe this is part of the foundation of my love and respect for animals.

Your photo style and way of handling your business is very unique. How did you arrive at that way of doing things and why?

Until the last few years, I had focused on (human) portraits, headshots, events, weddings, and live music. I had done some wildlife photography, but hadn’t

ever focused on pets until I got a job as the lead photographer for a studio doing pet photography. I had the good fortune of learning the process from a wonderful photography mentor there. I was also able to see how they did business, and pondered on how I would do it differently. I truly love being able to provide people with images of their furry loved ones, as well as tying charity work into what I do.

Throughout my life there has been a lot of pain and heartbreak seeing how people treat animals as “things.” It’s something I’ve never understood, and I love that I now work with people who celebrate their connection with animals, and treat them with the love and respect they deserve.

I have worked in the commercial world shooting pets for magazines, however I prefer to focus on the one-on-one, very personalized experience with my fur parent clients. It may surprise some people how intimate the experience is in capturing the spirit and personality of their fur family. I often become quite close friends with my clients, and my clients’ reaction to seeing the images we’ve captured is the most gratifying part of what I do

Does living in LA give you a certain tone to your work that living elsewhere wouldn’t?

Angelinos tend to lead the way in many trends, and it’s been wonderful to be received by the community so positively, and have my work be so embraced and appreciated. I love that the community here really loves the fine art nature of what I create.

Do you have other photo interests or series you’re planning on?

Yes! I founded a non-profit organization called AARF (Advocating Animal Rescue through Fine art), which is an umbrella for various themed art projects. The images are in the same style as Fur Family Photos, and will also include the story behind them. Proceeds will be donated to the rescue organizations from which the participants got their animals. I’m very excited to be able to help a variety of organizations doing such wonderful work.

We’re currently looking for contributors, sponsors, and supporters, so if this project sounds interesting, please be in touch with us at aarfproject@gmail.com!

AARF projects include:

What’s does your process entail? Start to finish. Can you give us a short step-by-step?

In all honesty, the process is different for each client. I find the most important part of the process is in taking the time to get to know both the fur client and the human client – both in a pre-consultation meeting, and at the start of the session. Being able to evaluate and embrace how the furry client “shows up” at the session is paramount to capture wonderful images them. The connection I have with each of them dramatically affects the outcome of the session.

We spend about 90 minutes in the studio together, during which the fur parent participates and is part of the process, helping to bring out those elements of their fur family that only they can. I couldn’t do what I do without the fur parents, since no one can bring out their babies’ true personality like they can. It’s a REALLY fun experience, and when they see the images it’s great because they know that they were a big part in making those moments happen.

After the time in the studio, my clients go on a quick potty break walk, while I do an initial edit of the images. Then they come back to the studio, and we have a theater style viewing of the images, so they get to see them right after we took them. Their response is often “are you kidding me?!?! THAT’S what we just did?!” accompanied by tears, because it’s a really personal experience unlike anything they’ve done before with their furry loved one(s) (which absolutely makes my heart smile); and then they choose the images they’d like to have. The entire experience lasts around 3 hours, and is truly some

RED CARPET RESCUE – celebrities and their rescue pets, telling the story behind their pet, and why rescue is important to them.

VETS - Veterans with their rescue pets sharing their stories of how their rescue animal improved/changed their lives.

PURE – images of all purebred dogs that were rescues – encouraging people to get a purebred through a rescue organization instead of a breeder.

SAVED – images of people whose lives were literally or figuratively saved by their rescue animals (e.g. people who were suicidal, went through major trauma that they might not have survived without their rescue animal, etc).

What’s the future hold for Pamela and your furry friends? Any ultimate goal? Will there be a book?

I’d absolutely love to do books for not only Fur Family Photos, but also for AARF as a means of fundraising.

If you could meet any photographer past or present who would it be and why?

Annie Leibovitz. Not only because she’s insanely talented, but she put female photographers on the map, and has been a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry. Rock on A.L.!