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 Since age 11, when I made my first short movie using my pops VHS camcorder, I have pursued visual media. Years later, while finishing my post-grad film school degree, I traveled Europe for a month during the winter break. I brought along a small digital video camera and a small digital still camera. After roaming Paris, Berlin and Prague, I returned back home. After reviewing the video and the still images, I quickly made a realization; the pictures told the story better than the video.
You hear it hundreds of times in your life, "a picture is worth a thousand words". It may not always be worth a thousand words, but a single image can convey a moment in time in a way that video cannot. I had just finished my third post-secondary diploma in a row, and was now in the midst of my post-graduate film degree... and now photography was always on my mind. Upon graduation I purchased an entry level Nikon DSLR camera and began assisting professionals, from fine art to high-end fashion photographers.
During this time I began taking photography at Mohawk College in Hamilton, while working as a full-time video editor and assisting photographers for 'FREE' on weekends. Then, after 2 years, I decided that film and video making would be my hobby and photography would be my career. Since then, I have had the pleasure of shooting for fashion and food magazines, automotive photography, weddings, architecture, and of course pets! There are so many subjects that are fun to capture, but pets seem to have taken most of my interest.
Of course, I still love to shoot weddings, food, automobiles and other subjects. However, I find my self at my happiest when engaged photographing pets. Most notably, capturing images of my 17-year 'young' golden retriever cross Heidi, and my 14-year 'young' cockatiel Freddy Jr. They are so cute and always keep me interested in what they are up to. In 2002, Heidi and I went to local photographer John Michael to get our portrait taken. It was a fun experience, and I love seeing the pictures on the wall every time I pass by them. Since then, I kept wondering what it would be like to be a pet photographer... and now I know.
For me, being a pet photographer is exhilarating. One morning I may be inches from a 12-foot python's mouth. Then later that afternoon, I am rolling around in the mud chasing a prize-winning peacock across a field. It takes patience, quick reflexes and a love for animals to be a pet photographer. When in the studio, I may not get as dirty capturing pets; but it is not easy. Getting and keeping the attention of a 3-pound ferret, a 200-pound dog, or an over-hyper Parrot can be challenging. I feel like a gymnast at times.
Of course, I am not able to leave with out saying a few thanks to individuals that have helped me in my journey over the past few years. To my parents, mom and pops, thank you for letting me move back home for 4 years and live rent free while I finished college and paid off all my bills. I hope you never again have to endure my crazy, and at times, chaotic lifestyle. And thank you for buying me my first professional camera and lens—what a difference they make! To my lead assistant photographer Andrea, thank you for assisting me over these past 4 years; you are a jewel. And to my boosum buddy Mr. B, my newest best friend and Webmaster. Thank you for spending countless hours and days creating my custom website and blog while I peer over your shoulder with ideas.
In ending, I would also like to thank all of the pet owners who have asked me to capture their pet’s portraits over the past few years. I know you will enjoy seeing your pet portraits hanging on the wall, in a book and on the Internet for the rest of your life and beyond.
Johnathan Garfield
Family Pet Photographer
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