Excited about our Have You Met series where I showcase YOU, the photographers of our community. We had over 400 photographers apply for the series in less than a week. I can’t wait to showcase the talented photographers. There is a mix of hobbyist and business owners as well as full-frame and crop sensor users. This may be my new favorite part of the site.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance for supporting Click it Up a Notch. I am not longer accepting applications for this series.
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No.01Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.
I’ve always enjoyed photography as a hobby, and am animal obsessed; I’ve worked in veterinary medicine for 16 years, and am also a certified dog training instructor at a local positive reinforcement facility. The human-animal bond is such a vital part of my job in veterinary medicine, as it is with helping people train their dogs. I’m also involved in animal rescue, and I quickly discovered that a quality photograph of an animal in rescue is key to getting them on the road to adoption. I began photographing rescue animals in 2012 and the business blossomed from there.
50mm | f/1.4 | 1/800 | ISO 500 -
No.02What is the best advice you received so far on your photography journey?
Never compare yourself to others.
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No.03What is your favorite thing to photograph?
Animals, for sure, though I do like to photograph animals with their people to show the bond they share.
50mm | f/1.4 | 1/320 | ISO 200 -
No.04Where do you find your inspiration?
In the stories my clients tell me about their relationship with their pets. In the light that we find for our shoots.
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No.05What type of background do you have? Self taught? Formal training? Mentor?
I’m self-taught. My background consists of lots of trial and error, many mistakes, hours upon hours of watching online tutorials, and reading forums, blogs and books relating to photography and digital editing.
50mm | f/1.4 | 1/1250 | ISO 400 -
No.06Are you currently doing any photography projects? If so, what?
I am not, but I keep meaning to start a 52 Weeks project.
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No.07If you could only use one lens for a year, which would you choose?
Ooof, that’s a tough one. It’d either be my 50mm f/1.4 or my 105mm f/2.8. Don’t make me choose!
105mm | f/5.0 | 1/800 | ISO 400 -
No.08Share links to 3 of your favorite photography tutorials and tell us why.
1. www.phlearn.com is a great resource
2. I looooooove www.creativeLive.com
3. Digital Photography School is another site that is on my list of favorites. -
No.09What is your favorite image right now?
This is my own dog, Kaia, a foster dog that I adopted (also known as a foster fail). She likes to come along and help me find new locations!
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No.10What type of camera and lenses do you shoot with?
My current body is a Nikon D7100 (crop sensor), and my trusty D90 is my backup. My lenses include a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4, a Nikon 105mm f/2.8 and a Nikon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6. I am saving up for a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8!
50mm | f/4.0 | 1/200 | ISO 400 -
No.11Let’s light someone else’s candle, who is a photographer you think we should check out?
Kaylee Greer of Dog Breath Photography in Boston, MA for pet photography, or Kathryn Arvanitis of Kathryn Arvanitis Photography in Charleston, SC.
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No.12What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?
That’s a toss-up between getting and keeping the animal’s attention, and getting them over their fear of my gear. The big black box makes funny noises and there’s a bright flashy light, too! EEEK RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
50mm | f/1.4 | 1/500 | ISO 100 -
No.13How do you display your photos?
This is two of the walls in my living room. They are a constant work in progress.
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No.14What's the strangest thing you carry in your camera bag, and why is it in there?
A duck call. It works nicely to get a dog’s attention.
105mm | f/2.8 | 1/125 | ISO 100 -
No.15What is next on your list of things to learn this year in photography?
I’d like to learn more about lighting, both indoor and outdoor.
105mm | f/5.0 | 1/250 | ISO 200 -
No.16If people want to follow more of your work where should they go?
www.MonkeySeePhotography.com
www.facebook.com/MonkeySeePhotography
50mm | f/2.2 | 1/1000 | ISO 200
Such lovely images. You really capture the dogs personality beautifully. I’ve photographed dogs also & it’s not easy. Lots of funny noises! :)
Hi Monica, thanks for sharing your work. In reading your interview, I just had a light bulb moment in that I should find a niche that I love. Yours is animals. It seems its your passion. Your photography reflects that. Your subjects looked loved. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your kind words, Tricia! You hit the nail right on the head; I am ridiculously passionate about animals and I’m glad that it’s conveyed in my photographs. :)
What lovely photos. I love the light in some of them.
Kaia is gorgeous.
Rubi | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com
Thanks, Rubi! :)
Where do you get your canvases made? Love the large and seamless look.
The ones on my wall are from… {drumroll}
Canvas on Demand.
I couldn’t help it. They were running a great special! :D
Thank you! My dogs are 12 and 14, and I must get canvases of them soon. Does a Groupon for two 16x20s for $49.99 sound like “a great special” to you?
That’s the great special I purchased, so yes… it absolutely sounds great to me. ;)