Dog! Camera! Action!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

dog running in field

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do I book a Dog! Camera! Action! photo shoot?

Complete our sign up form and Moffpix will contact you to schedule a session. If you have questions you'd like to ask prior to filling out the form, please contact us.

What's the basic process from beginning to end?

Contact Moffpix with any questions.
Complete our sign up form.
Moffpix will invoice you for a $50 non-refundable deposit. Once your payment is received, the deposit reserves a time on Jeff's schedule and serves as a down payment for whatever package you select later.
Moffpix will contact you via email to confirm the date, time and location of the shoot. We'll also encourage you to read the "BEFORE THE SHOOT" portion of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
We'll conduct the photo shoot. We typically like to schedule several dogs in a row, 30 minutes apart, so your dog will be in the field for approximately 25 minutes.
After the shoot, Jeff will select and edit 8 images that provide a variety of angles and action. Some non-action shots may also be included.
Upon completion of the editing, Jeff will upload the 8 touched up jpeg files to a web gallery for viewing.
Jeff will send an email with the gallery link and request that you select your package.
Once you notify Moffpix with your package selection, we will invoice you for the package less the $50 deposit.
When we receive your payment, we'll email the 8 low resolution jpeg files. If your package includes a print credit, you'll receive a coupon code as well to order your prints.
You'll order your prints through the online gallery. If you have a coupon code, it works like a gift card and will credit your total when checking out.
Your prints will arrive in the mail in about one week.

Can any dog participate in a Dog! Camera! Action! photo shoot?

Jeff is willing to take pictures of any dog you bring to the shoot, but obviously some dogs are better suited for an action photography session than others. An ideal dog has two primary characteristics:

Lots of energy – if your dog is overweight, lazy, out of shape, or extremely calm, Jeff won't be able to get the quality of action shots you see in our examples. Jeff can still try, but know up front that the majority of shots may be still portraits rather than action.
Controllable off leash – the field where we typically shoot is fenced but very large giving your dog the freedom to run too far away from the camera. If a dog gets out of range from the camera and you are not able to quickly bring him back with voice commands, toys or treats, Jeff won't be able to take any pictures. As a last resort, you can run with your dog on leash.

If I can't make the shoot, can we reschedule? Do I lose my deposit?

Moffpix requires at least 24 hours notice to reschedule. If you can't make a shoot date, please contact us as soon as possible and we'll be happy to reschedule and apply your deposit to another date. If you contact us within 24 hours of the shoot or not at all, you will forfeit your deposit.

BEFORE THE SHOOT

Do I need to bathe and groom my dog prior to the shoot?

We definitely encourage it. For the pictures to look their best, your dog needs to look his best.

What should I bring?

Aside from your dog, you'll also want to have the following:

Leash for entering and exiting the field
Water
Water bowl
Items to get your dog's attention that will keep him coming back to you such as his favorite treats, a ball, squeaky toy, etc.
Optional: Bug spray
Optional: Chair if you plan to arrive early or stay late to watch other dogs
Optional: Long line or flexi-lead if your dog is not responsive off leash

What should I wear?

You'll be in the field working with your dog during the photo shoot, so Jeff recommends long pants and comfortable walking or running shoes.

What should my dog wear?

For the cleanest and most natural looking pictures, Jeff prefers that dogs "run naked" meaning no collars, leashes or clothing items of any kind. However, if you want your dog captured in his favorite collar, bandana or sweater, that's perfectly acceptable.

Where is the shoot?

Most Dog! Camera! Action! photo shoots take place on private property in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, which is about 40 minutes from Overland Park. The property has large open fields, but is also fenced for your dog's safety.

Can we shoot on my property or another location I have in mind?

Jeff is always looking for other locations that would be appropriate for a Dog! Camera! Action! photo shoot. For the best photos, the property should provide clean, natural backgrounds, and safe areas for a dog to run with fairly smooth terrain. Contact Jeff if you'd like to discuss using your property or an alternate location for the shoot.

DURING THE SHOOT

What's the basic photo shoot process?

When you arrive at the shoot location, Jeff and/or his assistant will greet you and your dog.
We'll ask you to sign a canine model release form and a liability release form.
You'll keep your dog on leash and bring him into the shoot area as directed by Jeff or his assistant.
Jeff will greet your dog, let him sniff the camera, and point out the ideal area for your dog to run.
When Jeff is in position and ready to shoot, he'll ask you to take off the leash.
We'll work together to get your dog to run in different directions to capture various angles.
Jeff may ask you to hold your dog temporarily when camera adjustments are needed.
We'll take water breaks as necessary.
At the end of the shoot, you'll put the leash back on your dog and escort him out of the shoot area. NOTE: For safety, only one dog is allowed to be off leash at a time unless they are from the same home or well acquainted with one another.
After the shoot, Jeff or his assistant will show you sample prints to help you understand what's available when you're ready to order print products.

What if my dog won't run?

Jeff will do his best to capture some action photos, but if your dog wears out quickly or doesn't want to run, many of the photos will be non-action portraits. TIP: Don't exercise your dog on the day of the shoot! The more energy he has stored up, the better.

What if my dog runs off and I can't get him to come back towards the camera?

If your dog continually stays outside of the camera range, Jeff won't get many photos. As a last resort, we can attempt to get some action shots of your dog running on leash.

How well does my dog need to be trained?

When your dog is off leash, you need to be able to keep him in a general area for the camera. Some dogs don't like to get too far away from their owners. Others respond to voice commands, toys or treats. If your dog retrieves a ball and brings it back to you, that works well for running him through the camera area. If none of this describes your dog, you should probably keep him on a long leash and run with him.

Does my dog have to be off leash?

Preferably, yes. The best action photos depict your dog running free in a natural setting. However, if you feel pretty certain that your dog will run off with little hope of luring him back into the camera zone, then please leave the leash on. Just be prepared to run with your dog using a long leash.

Can I be in the pictures with my dog? What about my kids or other family members?

These images are meant to be action photos of your dog, not family portraits. Some shots may include all or part of the handler, but Jeff generally tries to avoid including people in the shots.

What if I or my dog gets hurt during the shoot?

You and your dog may encounter a wild animal or rough terrain during the shoot. You are responsible for the health and safety of you and your dog. If at any time you feel that you or your dog is not safe, we will stop and take corrective action if possible such as moving to a different part of the shoot location. You will be asked to sign a release form prior to entering the field which basically states that you and your dog run at your own risk.

AFTER THE SHOOT

How long until I get to see the edited shots?

Jeff tries to review, edit and post images from the photo shoot within a week. This timeframe may vary based on his schedule.

Do I get to select the shots I want edited from the shoot?

No, Jeff makes the selections and tries to provide a variety of action from various angles.

Can I get more than 8 shots from the shoot?

Tell Jeff you're interested in more than 8 images and he'll advise you on any additional variety that may be available. Additional low resolution jpeg files may be purchased for $25 each.

Will all of the edited shots be action?

No. Jeff does his best to provide as much action as possible, but generally 2 or 3 of the 8 images are non-action.

What if my dog doesn't cooperate and I don't like the pictures? Do I still have to buy a package?

No, you are under no obligation to buy a package, but you do forfeit your $50 deposit to cover Jeff's time and won't receive any jpeg files or prints from the shoot.

Can I make my own prints with the jpeg files you send me?

No, the low resolution jpeg files provided are perfect for email and Facebook, but they won't print very well. Print releases are not included as part of any package. To maintain Moffpix quality, all prints must be ordered through the online web gallery.

Can I order prints even if I don't select a package that includes prints?

Absolutely. You can always order prints; you just won't benefit from the discount that the packages provide.

What if I don't use all of my print credits? Can I get a refund on the remaining balance?

No, the print credits work like a gift card and are not partially refundable.

What if my prints arrive damaged? Can I get free reprints?

Yes, we want you to be completely satisfied. If your prints arrive damaged, replacement prints are on the house.

Can I get my images without the Moffpix logo?

The low resolution jpeg files you receive for use on Facebook and other websites must retain the Moffpix logo and we request that you not crop the images or attempt to remove the logo. Images in the web gallery won't have the logo, but it will print in the lower right-hand corner. If you want prints without the logo, let Jeff know prior to placing your print order and he will remove the logo in the web gallery.

If you have other questions that are not addressed in this FAQ, please let us know!