I started out photographing people and it’s similar in the sense that in both your goal is to capture the essence or true personality of the person or animal.

To say Kim Levin loves dogs is an understatement.  Kim Levin really loves dogs.  So much so, that she has built her career around them.  Nearly a decade ago, she began shooting photographs of dogs around Central Park and what began as a hobby transformed into a highly successful career as a pet portrait artist and author.  Her style is raw and is all about bringing out the true personality of the animal.  Not surprisingly, she has recently developed a passion for cats.  Her unbridled passion for what she does and for her subject matter is evident in each of her shots.  Her company, Bark & Smile® Pet Portraits combines her passion for photography and her love of animals.

Kim is available for commissioned portrait sessions with you and your pet.  Her “Bark & Smile” product line currently includes greeting cards, mugs, journals, calendars, e-greetings, postcard books, note cards, and magnetic pads.  Best of all, Bark & Smile® donates a portion of its proceeds to animal humane organizations.  A passionate advocate of animal adoption, Kim has been donating her photography services to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the Monmouth County SPCA and Petfinder.com.  Kim lives in Little Silver with her husband John, their two children, and their adopted border collie/greyhound mix, Charlie.

PrimeWoman went behind the camera with this busy photographer and mom to find out what it is like to be in the constant company of cats and dogs.

P.W.: Describe your start in the world of pet photography.  

Kim:  I was working in the advertising field in Manhattan and after three years, I had sort of a “mid-life crisis”.  I began taking classes at the International Center for Photography because I always loved taking pictures.  I started thinking about photography as a new career.  In 1996, there were not that many people doing pet photography so there was definitely room in the field.  I took my camera everywhere, photographing dogs in New York City.

I created a portfolio while I was still working in advertising and straddled both careers for about two years.  I left my job when I got my first book deal, which was for Why We Love Dogs.  The pictures in that book were of all the dogs I shot in New York.  Eventually, the licensing deals took off and I started working on more books.  Doing my pet portrait work gave me access to all of these great dogs, which made my portfolio more diverse.

P.W.: How is photographing dogs different from photographing people? 

Kim: I started out photographing people and it’s similar in the sense that in both your goal is to capture the essence or true personality of the person or animal.  Of course, with photographing animals, they can’t talk back and you must have an ability to use certain commands, movements, or sounds.  Food is a great motivator in getting their attention and for me one of the key aspects is establishing a trust with them before we even start taking pictures.

P.W.: Do you take different approaches with different dogs? 

Kim: Yes, definitely.  Dogs are so different and their personality will dictate which method I employ.  For example, if a dog is very active I just follow him around and let him do his thing.  For the older, more sedate dogs, I will be more interactive and try to get them going.  In either case, I have found that getting on the ground so that I am on the same level as them makes for a great shot.

P.W.: What about photographing cats?  Are the same methods used? 

Kim: The cat approach is much different.  Generally, they are much more aloof than dogs so there is usually more encouragement used on my part to get them going.  You really need to go to them and see what makes them tick.  Using natural light works beautifully for photographing cats and I take a very slow approach with them.  For me, cats are much more challenging to photograph than dogs.  I started out as a huge dog lover, but over the years, I have progressed to doing more work with cats.  Developing the cat books was really challenging for me because I didn’t know them as well as dogs.  Through working with them, I have come to really appreciate and love them for what they are.

P.W.: What was it like collaborating with your husband John on some of your projects? 

Kim:  Working with my husband has been great.  We collaborated on Erin Go Bark!  and For the Love You Give.  The idea for the book, Erin Go Bark developed on a trip we took to Ireland.  I had my camera with me the whole time and I photographed many of the dogs we came across.  We came up with the idea to pair the pictures with Irish blessings that John’s dad used to say and it turned into a book.  My husband contributes a great deal to the creative process.

P.W.: What do you like best about living in Monmouth County? 

Kim: I am originally from Rhode Island but I absolutely love living here.  My husband grew up in the area.  I don’t think you can beat the quality of life here and having close access to New York City is great for my business.

P.W.: How has motherhood changed your career?

Kim: I have two children, Ian who is 3 and Rachael, 15 months.

Motherhood has definitely changed my career in many positive ways.  For one thing, my kids have inspired me to regain an interest in children’s photography.  However, being a mom has also posed new challenges for me.  It’s hard to maintain my career, devote the time to it, and still have plenty of time for my kids and to be the best mom I can be.  I am very aware of the fact that your children are only young once so it’s important for me to be there for them now.  I look at it as one big challenge.  I also have a great sitter who allows me to devote time to my passion, which is my business.  Because I really like what I do, I know I am a better mother and person when I am able to work.  I also believe that having less time actually makes me more productive.  Although I don’t have as many hours to work on projects as I used to, I find the time I do have is spent more efficiently.

P.W.: Where do you like to photograph your client’s pets?  Do you prefer a specific location? 

Kim: I usually like to leave it up to the client as to where to take the photos.  It really depends on where the dog is most comfortable.  It can be good to go on location or to be near natural elements like the ocean, which always makes a beautiful shot.  It also depends on the time of day, and the mood of the dog.

P.W.: What is your favorite breed to photograph? 

Kim: I grew up with Irish Setters so I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for them.  I love to photograph Bassett Hounds, Border Collies, Boxers, and Greyhounds.  I have also had great experiences with West Highland Terriers, they are full of personality.

P.W.: Tell us about your work with the ASPCA.

Kim: I worked on the ASPCA national calendar for several years and then wanted to get more involved locally so I got involved with the Monmouth County SPCA.  I like being able to use my photography to raise money for the shelter.  I have also done some philanthropic work with Petfinder.com.

P.W.: Are there any tips or tricks you could share for getting the most optimal photo of their pet?  

Kim: The most important thing is to always have your camera handy so you can capture great moments; it’s really all about timing.  I also recommend using a wide-angle lens, which keeps the dog in the forefront of the photograph.  Many dogs have certain words, sounds or squeaky toys that they respond too and many will even tilt their head when they hear these sounds.  My own dog actually sings when I play the harmonica which always makes for a unique shot.

P.W.: What kind of projects are you working on for the future? 

Kim: My next project is a book on tips for taking great dog portraits.  It is due to come out in September 2008 from Watson-Guptill Publishers.

SIDEBAR 

Some of Kim’s books include: Pawfiles, Portraits of Dogs, Why We Love Dogs, Why We Really Love Dogs, Why We Love Cats, Growing Up: The Dog Years, Catrimony: The Feline Guide to Ruling the Relationship, Cattitude: The Feline Guide to Feeling Fabulous, and her latest book, Caternal Instincts: The Feline Guide to Mastering Motherhood.  Her books have sold over 350,000 copies to date and have been published in Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese.