Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Fields.
Jamie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Here is my personal story about why I started Shutter Pup Photography.
In April of 2015, I found out that my older dachshund Sweet Pea had cancer. I can’t even tell you for sure how old she was, She was a foster failure that I’d adopted and the rescue said she was 15.
Sweet Pea was mostly blind and deaf yet she was the sweetest soul I’d ever met. It seemed like the only thing she needed to be happy was to be in my presence. And food. The first thing in the morning she would bark for food until I got out of bed to feed her. She was a happy, silly dog who would chase her tail in circles, sunbathe with my other 2 dachshunds, and run to the kitchen whenever she (somehow) heard me chopping anything. I worked from home at the time and she was stationed either in my lap or on her dog bed next to me all day every day.
While we only ended up spending about 2 happy years together, it seemed like we’d been together forever. One day she started limping so off to the vet we went. It turned out after a scan, she had a tumor on her right front shoulder. The oncologist said I had 1-2 more months with her. I was devastated.
Two days later, I took her to the Rose Garden at Balboa Park for a photoshoot. I wanted to get her out while she could still walk and I could get as many photos as possible. Before then, most of the photography I had done was for my food blog with some occasional photos of my pets as a hobby. On this day I realized how important it was for me to have bright and beautiful photos of her while she was running through the park because we didn’t have very much time left. Her joyful spirit shines through in these photos. This is the reason I became passionate about pet photography.
I’ve been perfecting my pet photography for the last 3 years. During that time, I’ve learned the best spots around San Diego to take pet photos, as well as how to handle pets that may be anxious or don’t particularly love having their photos taken. I’ve developed a style that produces light, bright, and sharp photos that my clients can cherish for a lifetime. I especially love the candid moments that I capture on camera in between posed shots.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Following your passion can be a challenge, especially with giving up the security of having a steady full-time job when you first start out and decide to go for it. I struggled a lot with making that decision. There have also been times where I’ve struggled to find my voice on social media and feel like I’m presenting myself and my style authentically.
Please tell us about Shutter Pup Photography.
I am a San Diego-based Pet Photographer who provides the animal lover with beautiful and soulful photos by capturing the bond between humans and their furry best friends.
My photos are vibrant, sharp, and playful. I love capturing each pet’s personality on camera whether it’s chasing a ball, wearing matching PJs with their owner, or running around the dog beach. This includes snapping photos of just the pet, photos with the whole family, maternity photos, holiday photos, or even promotional photos that business owners can use for their Instagram or website if they run a pet-related business.
I am the proudest of the meaningful moments I’ve been able to capture between pets and their owners. Recently, I was the photographer at a Pet Blessing at a local church where the minister blesses each pet with their own right there with them. You can literally feel the love beaming through the photos between them. I am so grateful to be able to provide people with tangible memories with their fur children.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Anything related to summertime. Playing softball with my friends, swimming every day, going to camp, sleepovers. The New Kids on the Block concert definitely stands out! I grew up being a cat lady, so I always had a cat or kitten around, too!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shutterpup.net
- Phone: 480-262-5406
- Email: jamie@shutterpup.net
- Instagram: shutter_pup_photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutterpupphotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shutter-pup-photography-san-diego
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