Best Pet Photographer in Seattle: Julie Austin Pet Photography

Sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own city. A few months ago, I visited some of the best dog friendly attractions in Seattle with Chester and Gretel.

While I have a gazillion (almost an exact figure. Ha, ha.) photos of my Dachshunds Chester and Gretel, I don’t have many of us together.

I decided to partner with local Seattle pet photographer –  Julie Austin Photography – to follow us around and capture some memories of us.

I think all of the pictures turned out great. However, this one is my favorite.

There are two reasons why.

• The beach is a very special place to me.

I grew up in the northwest all of my life and practically lived at the beach when I was a kid.

This photo captures the quintessential “Puget Sound Beach” – clouds and all… you know… because it’s cloudy and rainy here a lot.

• It’s a photo of me I actually like.

I also love this photo of me with my dogs because I don’t hate it.

That may sound silly but I don’t like pictures of myself. Almost ever. I mean, who does really?

Julie really came through on her promise to “capture your special relationship” with your dog and she made me look good!

Why I Liked Working With Julie Austin Photography (and Would Do It Again)

Julie was really laid back and easy to work with.

She was patient when my dogs Chester and Gretel didn’t want to cooperate (like when they were only interested in the crumbs on the floor of the Pike Place Market).

Although we wanted to get some important “iconic Seattle” photos, Julie gave me direction without making me feel like I had to be the perfect model.

She made suggestions and just kind of let me act natural.

And speaking of iconic Seattle photos – I got to choose the location(s) where we took dog photos.

She didn’t have a standard go-to location list I had to choose from like some pet photographers do. I got to choose places that had meaning to me instead.

I would definitely work with Julie again.

In fact, now that it’s clear Chester is getting old, I feel like my time with him is limited. I want some updated pictures of him as a senior – but still relatively active and healthy – that will bring a smile to my face when I look at them.

About Julie Austin Pet Photography

What makes Julie different than some other Seattle pet photographers?

• She’s as obsessive about her pets as you are

All of her dogs have middle names; She can never sell her car because she’ll never ever get the dog smell out; and her dogs have better health insurance than she does.

• She captures the soul of your special relationship between you and your pet(s).

You’ve got a zillion pictures of your pet on your camera phone, or even your own digital camera, but seldom do any include you, or that capture your special relationship.

Most pet photographers will only take photos of your pets but she will include you as much as you want for no extra charge.

• She takes great care to make sure the photos are perfect.

For every 1 hour of photos she shoots, she does 3 hours of edits to tweak the lighting, exposure, clarity, etc. until the photos of your pet are perfect.

This artisan attention to detail is what makes the windows to you and your pets soul pounce off the image, and avoid over editing disasters most others make.

Julie was voted Evening Magazine’s “The Best of Western Washington” Best Pet Photographer in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017!

A quick search online will reveal many positive experiences with Julie Austin Pet photography, including:

“Julie’s photographs are wonderful, that’s easy to recognize. What you don’t see until you meet her is how wonderful she is to work with.

She takes the time she needs and is able to capture more than a handsome portrait. She was able to get beautiful images of not just our pets but our relationship with them as well.

We have gorgeous photos on our walls now of our wonderful dogs that will always remind us of them and how much they will always mean to us.” – Testimonial from Katie Walker

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed the process of creating memorable photos of my dogs with Julie.

She was really patient, knowledgeable, and focused on natural photos at both iconic Seattle landmarks and locations that reflected our unique personality and lifestyle.

Whether you are looking for celebration of life photo of your beloved pet, or you are traveling to Seattle with your dog (or cat or horse), and want a professional to capture your special bond, contact Julie for one of her Mini Photo Sessions or Private Photo Sessions.

You can also check out her work, and get to know her better, by following her on Instagram.