Dallas Pet Photographer Celebrates 10 Years of Personality-Packed Pet Portraits

I was always the kid with the Polaroid camera on family vacations, which of course progressed to my first film camera (and double prints of all the blurry photos…IYKYK). I had always planned to be a veterinarian, but when my plans took a left turn to obtaining my Masters in Forensic Science, I found myself behind the camera again in crime scene photography class. It was here that I learned the technical aspects and rules of photography – then naturally, how to break those rules in the name of creativity. I began photographing my own dog in an effort to make a piece of him live forever, followed by volunteering with shelter dogs, and eventually private clients. Today marks our 10 year anniversary, and I couldn’t be more proud of how our small business has grown to an international pet photography brand serving private and commercial clients around the globe. Check out our 10 year recap that led to building the most sought-after pet portrait service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

2014: Haute Dog Pet Photography began as RDP PhoDOGraphy in San Diego, CA photographing dogs at The Barking Lot rescue and Frosted Faces Foundation, followed by our first private client – Victoria and Shadow – then dozens more around Southern California.

2015: Inspired by the runways of London and Paris, we rebranded to Haute Dog Pet Photography in October 2015 with an emphasis on creating fashion-forward photos using bold colors, dynamic angles, and avant-garde lighting to capture each dog’s larger-than-life personality.

2016: We moved to Dallas, Texas and met our first client here – Mary continues to be a close friend! Then we launched our Runway Sessions photographing dogs around the country in Milwaukee, Chicago, Livermore, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Miami. That year I also earned my Certified Professional Photographer credentials.

2017: From sea to shining sea and all the way across the pond, we embraced the opportunity to photograph dogs across the continental United States and internationally in London, Paris, and Rome. We released our innovative line of Light-Stitched Pet Portraits, and revealed our Embark luxury international pet photography holidays. That year I also took home the silver medal at the International Photographic Competition, and Haute Dog Pet Photography was voted Best Pet Photographer in Dallas for the second time. 2017 also marked the beginning of our partnership supporting Doodle Rock Rescue. We continue to photograph fosters and assist with fundraising efforts to this day.

2018: We opened our 7-acre dog photography studio and have been adding new sets ever since. We launched our Vanity Fur sessions, and we traveled to London to celebrate winning The Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year award.

2019: We launched our pop-up studio offering luxe pet portrait events at locations around Dallas-Fort Worth.

2020: The year the world came to a halt resulted in making some of the deepest connections with our fur-families, and we were grateful to document them. It was also the year we brought our first horse home and Haute Dog Pet Photography expanded to include equestrian portraits. [Fun fact: before RDP PhoDOGraphy/Haute Dog Pet Photography ever existed, I photographed hunter/jumpers on the East Coast in Maryland and Virginia. My ex-husband told me it was a silly hobby that would never go anywhere.] Loren also joined the team as animal handler, session wrangler, photography assistant extraordinaire.

2021: We lost our Saint Bernard, Hannah. It was the first time in my adult life that I had to make the dreaded decision to help a pet over the Rainbow Bridge. It is a gut-wrenching decision and pain I wouldn’t wish upon enemies, but it reshaped our end-of-life pet portraits by helping me focus on the images and memories I knew were most important.

2022: The year I lost my heart dog, Jake. Life after that moment felt forever-changed, but it also led to a renewed sense of purpose in my work. He took a huge piece of me with him, but left behind a legacy that inspires every pet portrait I create. I firmly believe he also sent his successor, Puzzle. 2022 marked the end of a 14 year career with the FBI so I could focus solely on my heart’s mission, making pets live forever. It was a profound year filled with love, sadness, and most importantly, identity.

2023: We introduced our party photoshoots with The Barkday Planner and flying dress photoshoots inspired by Santorini. We launched our mini sessions this Fall with our own private pumpkin patch and had so much fun we decided to create our own Christmas tree farm for Christmas minis, as well.

2024: It’s only spring, and we’re thrilled with how 2024 is going! This year we surpassed $50,000 in donations to charities and organizations closest to our hearts. Haute Dog Pet Photography was featured in Southlake Style Magazine with our business buddy The Barkday Planner. We were hired to work with Lionsgate Entertainment in promotion of their new movie, Arthur the King. And today we announce our epic client appreciation gala – The Dog Mom Prom™! A celebration filled with champagne bubbles and puppy snuggles commemorating the incredible clients we have met throughout our journey.

With heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played a part in allowing me to pursue my dreams of making dogs and horses live forever for the ones who love them, thank you!