Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamandra Michaels.
Tamandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember, I have been doing art. I come from a background in oil painting, and then my journey as a photographer began when I got a camera to take reference photo. I fell head over heels in love. I had a wonderful, highly photogenic dog, and I began doing pet photography, and many of my clients were pets that had a terminal illness. When I lost my own heart dog to cancer, having so many images of him was wonderful to have, and I love that I have been able to give the last images of beloved companions to people.
My work has been on book covers, and in magazines. I particularly enjoy photographing working dogs, and dog sports. Currently, my style has developed into blending photography, and painting- ‘paintography!’ I incorporate real painted backgrounds and textures into my work, and create unique works of art I call “heartworks”. I can also elevate an existing favorite image into something truly special, and often a tribute to a pet that has passed.
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?
My whole life has been challenges! I don’t allow my disability to be an obstacle, and with photography, it’s even an asset, as I have a unique perspective from where I sit. I found it could be a struggle to make a living with pet photography, the market became quite saturated, and standing out from the pack can be daunting. When I lost my heart dog, my business got sidelined, it took an emotional toll when photographing an animal that was terminally ill. Cancer is far too prevalent!
Heart Dog Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Heart Dog Studio is known for capturing the relationship between people and their animals, and our unique “heartworks”, elevating a photograph to stunning artwork for the walls. The only time I like to make someone cry…when they see their images and beloved companion turned into a work of heart! I’m also very proud to donate my time and talent to photographing homeless pets, to help them find forever homes. We are also supporting animal charities through my logo design on apparel with our “work of heart” shirts.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It made me beyond ecstatic when one of my images of a local celebradog, Surf Dog Ricochet, was chosen to be on an internationally printed book cover bio of her! That, and my nephew with a family dog on the cover of a book, Animals and the Children Who Love Them.
Pricing:
- Heart’s Joy Session for terminally ill pets starting at $250
- “Heartworks” digitally painted ‘paintography’ commissions on canvas/metal/acrylic starting at $300
- Artwork for show or working dog kennels/owners for advertising starting at $200
- Work of Heart t-shirts $24
Contact Info:
- Phone: 619-218-4668
- Email: k9justicetrue@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heartdogstudio
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/HeartK9
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
