Jesse Freidin - Dog Photographer

Photography Career Advice

jesse — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:35:01 +0000

After a long weekend in New Orleans following the trustworthy creative and emotional guide I seem to always fall back on, I feel like 2012 has finally, finally, begun. In the moments when I feel slightly less grounded as an artist, and the path in front of me is a bit clouded, I know that on the other end there will always be the truest thing that I want. One of the first lessons I learned as a business owner was that the majority of businesses fail within the first 3 years. Because it’s hard. And I’m positive that the same can be said about artists. If you don’t have a true sense of confidence and consuming passion for the work you are creating, the inevitable roadblocks, personal challenges, and exhaustion you will face will be too much for you to handle. Originality will be sacrificed. You’ll give up.

This is why I love challenges, and constantly push myself as an artist. I will be a photographer for the rest of my life, and with every challenge I get through I am simply taking one step deeper into that life long commitment. 2012 will offer so much opportunity, collaboration, and creative growth. I can’t wait to see it all unfold.

Photography Podcasts- “Behind the Image” #3

jesse — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:33:49 +0000

I love doing these new photography podcasts. It reminds me of my old days of college radio, combined with darkroom photography nerdiness, and dogs. What more could you ask for, really? Each podcast discusses elements of black and white photography, fine art dog portraiture, natural lighting, the beauty of the dog/human bond, etc. It’s a lot of fun to do, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Here’s the newest installment, discussing one of my favorite dogs- Pitbulls.

Upcoming Exhibit at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

jesse — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:15:59 +0000

Although I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, I can’t wait to install my 25 piece photography exhibit at the Best Friends Animal Society‘s Utah sanctuary. This exhibit has been a long time in the making, and will showcase a hand-selected collection of some of my favorite black and white dog portraits, animal photography, and Polaroid dog portraits.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is one of the world’s most celebrated animal sanctuaries, and has been the star of many a television series. Did you ever watch National Geographic’s “DOGTOWN” series, featuring Best Friend’s dog sanctuary (one of the largest no-kill sanctuaries in the country)? Here’s a great clip from DOGTOWN: www.youtube.com/watch

Bay Area’s Best Dog Photographer

jesse — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:03:08 +0000

It’s truly an honor to be nominated for Bay Area’s Best Dog Photographer in 2012- my third year in a row! It’s because of my amazing clients, friends, and fans that awards like these happen. So really- this is a big THANK YOU to everyone out there who follows my work, reads my blog, and supports my studio through things like voicing their opinions.

Let’s make it a three-peat! Please vote for me as ‘Best Dog Photographer’ in the BayWoof’s 2012 “Beast of the Bay” competition. It’s free, easy, fun, and you don’t even have to sign in. Just click on as many or few items as you want, and tell the world who your favorite Bay Area dog businesses are personalities are.

BEST DOG PHOTOGRAPHER is question #34

Voting ends February 10, 2012 !!

Thank you so much for your continued support. If I win again this year, we’re definately going to throw a party…

Analog Thoughts on Studio Lighting

jesse — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:02:48 +0000

The typical expectation of a ‘pet photographer’ these days is that all your work is done in the studio, on a bright paper seamless background, with a digital camera on auto-expose/multi-shot, and a lot of squeaky toys. Clearly, this method works for a lot of people. But I don’t call myself a ‘pet photographer,’ so I get to do things differently. Part of being an artist for me is truly using my tools, truly taking full advantage of the magic of my medium, and building each image, each frame, from the ground up. Which is why I prefer working with natural light at all times, and working in my client’s homes. Because there is endless possibility for error, there are things out of place, there is realness and texture and cushions askew and that is where creation really happens- when you can turn that mess into something beautiful, you have truly embraced the role of photographer.

That being said, one time I photographed a very famous dog in the studio for a very special friend.

This dog, named Balthazar, has starred in movies, in Ralph Lauren print ads around the world, been featured in photoshoots since he was a baby, and worked the ring at Westminster under one of the world’s most respected Fox Terrier handlers, Bill McFadden. In order to make this studio shoot meet my client’s needs (he requested the studio set up) yet also have my signature style, I placed Balthazar on a perfectly clean bright white background and had his dad wipe his paws before he stepped onto the paper. I wanted to exaggerate the sterile feeling of a perfect studio, exaggerate the lack of context that comes with studio work, and purposely push these portraits into a hi-key setting. Hi-key lighting is a technique where you over-use your hi-end tones, and create almost a white-on-white image. When done correctly, it has a post-modern feel to me. And when done correctly, you can create a balance of blown-out highlights on your background while retainging full tonal range and detail in your subject. Here are a few favorite images from this session:

The Photographer’s Cloak of Invisibility

jesse — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:29:11 +0000

To start the New Year off right, I took a little time away to relax and revive my brain. Sometimes the inner business-man in me forgets to slow down, take a break, and let the inner artist breathe a little. Creating unique, one-of-a-kind photographic series for each new client that walks in my door is incredibly exciting, but takes a lot of creative energy. I push myself to make every new image different from the last. I do not want to repeat myself. I want my clients to own artwork that is truly theirs and no one else’s. When I look around at other photographers in my field, I wonder if they sometimes forget to be unique. For me, repetition is simply not an option. My clients entrust me with their most intimate emotions, and in turn I work hard to create photographs that honor the deeply moving bond they share with their canine companions. In the end, we both win. My clients and I walk away from our project feeling a sense of calm and accomplishment, with a new body of artwork that will remain crisp and perfect for hundreds of years. The fast pace and quick printing of digital photography simply cannot carry that same weight.

To prepare for an exciting 2012, I’ve begun reading a wonderful book on the common patterns and instincts of our contemporary American photographers: The Ongoing Moment, by Geoff Dyer. His discussion about the photographer’s ‘desire for invisibility’ is a theory I strongly connect with. When I am photographing, I feel as though no one can see me, that I have entered into a secret moment in time with my subject. It’s as if the moment of picking up the camera (when the artist is truly focussed) signals the dropping of a heavy curtain between the creative moment and the rest of the world. And this intimacy and secrecy is what allows for true creativity.

When I am photographing, I am experiencing a truthful moment. And I think this is what my clients are drawn to: a photographer who can show them a truly honest, pure, and inspiring portrait of their bonded companion.

Vogue’s Choice for Pet Photography

jesse — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:25:32 +0000

It’s always a wonderful surprise when big media features your work and you don’t even know about it. Or, when you see all that time spent on Twitter really pay off. A few weeks ago I saw that Vogue’s “Social Shopper” was gearing up for a very fabulous, over-the-top pet holiday guide. And, of course, I decided I needed to be in it. So I used my special Twitter skillz, sent them a link to my work, and promptly forgot about the whole thing amidst the busy end of the year production crunch.

Turns out they liked what they saw. Out of all the hundreds of links and dog products people pitched the Social Shopper, they made me one of their 25 “Presents for Pets (And Those Who Love Them).” Great timing too, because I’ll be heading to New York in February 2012 and have opened up a few more available Photography Sessions during the week of Feb 6-15th. If you’d like to grab one of those New York Winter Sessions, I’d suggest calling now.

Behind The Image photography podcasts

jesse — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:01:52 +0000

I’m so excited about my new photography podcasts. I’ll be showcasing favorite images from my dog portraiture catalog and discussing a new photographic element that I find intriguing. Things like: composition, tonal range, decisive moment, emotional connection, natural lighting, etc. If you’re an up-and-coming pet photographer, photography enthusiast, or are just curious about my analog and creative processes- this is a really fun way to step ‘behind the image’ and learn a little more about my dog portraiture. Below are our two newest dog photography podcasts:

Silver Gelatin Print Details

jesse — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:29:57 +0000

It’s production season over here at the studio. What does that look like? Well, it kind of looks like this:

New York Dog Photography Sessions

jesse — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:40:20 +0000

I’m currently scheduling fine art dog photography sessions in New York, and have a few spaces available. The New England winter light is always so enticing and magical in New York, and I love putting on my long-johns and gloves and creating beautiful dog portraits in and around the city.

SCHEDULE YOUR NEW YORK SESSION: Feb 6-15, 2012 – follow this link to our Contact page

This time of year is all about giving- to yourself, to loved ones, to your beloved dogs, etc. I offer a great Gift Package that fits perfectly under the Christmas Tree (or beside the Menorah for us Jewish folk), but also doubles as a really special end-of-year present to yourself. This Gift Package includes my Creative Fee and a hand-selected collection of two 20x24inch prints- the perfect beginning to your art collection, or compliment to your current collection.

To schedule a New York photography session (Feb 6-15 2012) or discuss our Gift Packages, just give us a shout: studio@jessefreidin.com. We’re always here to help guide you through the process, answer questions, and begin your custom collaboration. Oh, and gossip about why your dog is the best dog in the world. Because it is.