There’s no doubt that your pet is a part of the family. The American Pet Products Association confirms that about 62% of all U.S. households have pets. When the holidays come around each season, it’s only natural for pet owners to want to their furry friends included in the holiday photos. Whether they take the photos themselves or have them done professionally, pet owners love capturing endearing  photos of their pets in holiday decor and enjoying the memories for years to come. Pet photography can be a thriving part of any photography business, and a main business for many photographers.

  As Halloween rounds the corner, we thought it was only fitting to share some of the cutest, funniest photos of our beloved pets wearing their best Halloween costumes.  If you’ve been procrastinating on making the perfect outfit for your pooch this year, use this list as some inspiration!  Leave us a comment and tell us which of these dogs in costumes made you laugh the most!

There aren’t many other photography subjects that elicit more gasps, sighs and general doting than those of sweet and lovable puppies. Puppy photos bring out the softy in some of the most seasoned curmudgeons. Like babies and kittens, photos of puppies reach a vulnerable spot in most people. The same qualities that make us love looking at photos of puppies are the same qualities that often make it difficult to take puppy photos that make viewers swoon. Whether it is running and bounding, rampant licking, attempting to get to your camera to give it a nibble, or general puppy attention deficit disorder (PADD), capturing your canine subject may prove more challenging than you thought possible.

So you’ve decided to parlay your love of animals into a pet photography business… congratulations! There’s definitely a market for it; according to the Humane Society, pet ownership in the U.S. has tripled since the 1970s. In 2012, there were an estimated 164 million pet owners; that’s 62 percent of American households with at least one pet in the family. Dog photography in particular is enjoying a surge in popularity, but cats are also frequent subjects as well as more exotic animals like parrots, iguanas and pot-bellied pigs. You’ve honed your photography skills and creative abilities; you’re equipped with a variety of awesome pet photography backdrops and props as well as the perfect lighting equipment. You’ve chosen a business name and perhaps have already created a logo and business card. However, without a marketing strategy, no one will know about you. Use the following tips to market your pet or dog photography business successfully in your area:

Ahh, our pets! Where would we be without them? They bring us joy, make us laugh and comfort us when we’re under the weather. They give us unconditional love like no one else. What better way to pay homage to that special friend than with a pet photography session?

Unfortunately, the perceived difficulties of undertaking pet portraits cause many not to attempt it. However, with a little planning, preparation and patience, you can capture amazing pet portraits of your (or your client’s) best furry friend right in your studio. Consider these key tips for conveying the true personality of an animal in pet portraits:

Taking pictures of pets can be a challenge, even with a patient dog and the best lighting. At times, working outdoors offers a perfect environment, and then there are moments when a controlled indoor space suits you better. There are several factors to recognize when deciding on the right location for photographing pets.

Taking photographs of pets can really be fun and exciting, although this type of photography does at times produce a challenge. Yet, it can be financially rewarding for the photographer who takes the time to understand what is needed in order to actually capture the true personality of a client’s pet and make them extremely happy. The first thing that the photographer must realize is that each animal has a different personality. Not all of them will play well with the photographer when trying to direct a shooting session.