Frequently Asked Questions
How does this work?
For some, everything about a professional photography session is unfamiliar. For others, they know enough to see if there’s a good fit. My goal is to make you feel confident and prepared from when you book a session, to the day of your shoot, to product delivery and installation.
Top line, here’s what you can expect from me:
More relational, less transactional ~ I’m not in it to punch a ticket. I’m in it to capture meaningful moments between animals and their humans and make beautiful images that delight those humans.
Accomplished, professional service ~ Simple. With a long career in photography, culture and business, I apply my knowledge and experience across disciplines to meet my clients’ expectations.
Act with integrity, take ownership ~ Being honest, organized and forthright makes being accountable easy. Do it right, and everyone goes home happy.
Personalized service, exceed expectations ~ Never fails. The closer I listen to my clients, the more distinct, hit-the-nail-on-the-head outcomes are delivered.
Okay, FAQs are all about details, so what follows are most often asked Qs & As. Please contact me if you have a question that needs an answer. Cheers!
What do I photograph?
I photograph pet, companion and working animals, with and without the people that love and work with them. My clients are primarily animal owners, or animal professionals such as trainers, groomers, breeders, clubs and retailers. I am comfortable photographing dogs, cats, horses, birds, all species really.
What kind of projects do you do?
Professional Photography for owners of pet, companion & working animals
Formal and casual portraits in family, leisure, working, and sporting settings
Fine art and digital photographic products for traditional print presentation or social media
Art collection, curation and interior design; consult, design, planning, installation
Personal brand identity; personal design services for print and digital formats
Commercial Photography for professionals working with animals
Commercial portrait, event, and editorial photography
Visual brand identity; commercial logo, print and digital design services
Marketing and advertising; photo and graphic design services
Instructional; photo, video and graphic instructional design services
Do you offer traditional studio photography?
Yes, I bring my studio to you, or any other location. I travel with a mobile studio of various lights and backgrounds. I am fully equipped for all situations with the latest digital cameras and lenses. I’m also an expert with editing and retouching software to smooth out any rough edges. You’d be surprised at the amount of equipment that might be used in the course of achieving a natural look. Same goes for the minimal amount of equipment needed for a formal, staged look. It really comes down to our pre-shoot planning.
How long is a typical photography session?
Sessions can last from one to three hours depending on number of locations, themes and styling. Generally, your subjects’ patience is the X factor. We’ll discuss strategies in advance to avert boredom and pique a positive attitude. Familiar toys, treats, different locations, the novelty of the photographer’s attention, and pre-session exercise can all add to our productivity.
Can I or others in my family be included in the photos?
Yes! I look to capture the joy and love we have for our animal companions. I want explore and portray relationships in family, working and sporting environments. We’ll discuss who will be joining us during our initial consultation.
Can we include my other pets in this session?
Yes! Love it. Multiple pets will often add an element of unintended chaos to the proceedings, that may require additional shooting and editing time. We’ll discuss the number and type (species) of subjects and their influence on the theme, location and time requirements during our initial consultation.
My senior pet is ill and time is limited. Can I schedule a session right away?
Yes! I appreciate the urgency of the situation. Please contact me ASAP.
Do you offer multiple session packages to capture my puppies or other young animals growing up?
Yes! It is a marvel to watch your puppy become a dog, or kitten transform into a cat, or any other young animal over time. Contact me to discuss multiple session packages that can cover 12, 24 or 36 months in 3 month, 6 month or annual increments.
Where do the sessions take place?
From active outdoor sessions to formal indoor styled and propped portraits, I’ll consult with you to select locations and activities that resonate and speak to your animal’s best qualities. I’ll make happen, outdoors, indoors, day or night, tight quarters, weather be damned.
What areas do you offer your services in?
I travel to my clients or a location we’ve chosen and regularly work in the greater Coastal Georgia and South Carolina low country region.
Travel fees apply for locations located beyond a 100 mile radius from 31419 (Savannah, GA). In addition, I’m generally ready to travel anywhere for commercial and private clients.
How long does the whole process take?
Scheduling a photo session depends on finding a happy spot on both our calendars. For traditional framed prints or albums, expect between 4-6 weeks from session date to order delivery, with most in the middle at 5 weeks. For digital files or social media products, expect between 1-3 weeks from session date to order delivery, with most in the middle at 2 weeks. I’ll ask you about any expected deadlines early on and make adjustments to accelerate the process.
Take it as a rule of thumb that my schedule gets tight 6-12 weeks out from major gifting holidays (as in Sept/Oct/Nov).
How much does it cost?
$325 - $3,000 per project. Pricing is comprised of two components; a session or project initiation fee, usually $250, and:
Animal Owners - a fee for print and digital presentation packages that can range from $75 to $3,000.
Animal Professionals - a project fee based on my time and media usage for photography, brand and/or graphics deliverables.
What services and products are included?
Reveal
The session or project initiation fee covers my time and expertise after the initial free project and scope consultation.
During the initial consultation we’ll discuss the photo model, session theme, image style, location, timing and any special requests such as multiple locations or adding additional critters or people.
We’ll also talk about display and installation approaches to best present your final art work. Presentation options include any combination of digital social media formats, fine art prints, frame and mounting styles, custom album formats, and seasonal cards.
I’ll confirm a session fee estimate during our call, and provide cost parameters for final art work. If you like what you hear, we’ll book your project. Confirm your reservation with a little paperwork and your session fee.
Capture
The rubber hits the road in the second stage of the process. There will likely be some back-and-forth by phone or email to confirm final details such as animal preferences and behavior, location planning, props and styling.
During this time we’ll also cover what to expect and how to prepare for the photo session. Sessions usually last one to three hours depending on location, theme and styling. My goal is to make this a worry-free experience for you.
The day of the session arrives and we’ll be prepared. We’ll spend a little time letting all participants get familiar and comfortable. Then we’ll work our way through our list of ‘must have’ images, and look for additional images inspired by the location and setting.
With the session complete, I’ll begin editing everything down to a manageable set of lightly retouched images. Two weeks after our session you’ll receive a link to a private online gallery of proof images.
Celebrate
The final stage is a little like getting a treat after a job well done. Your online gallery is where you can review, download and share proof images. We’ll schedule a session review after you’ve spent some time with the images.
During the session review we’ll discuss the proofs, select final images and finalize product selection for presentation. I’ll take notes for image refinements and product decisions, and prepare final production files.
Your online gallery is where products can be viewed and prototyped with your chosen images. I’ll provide phone or email support throughout the process.
For traditional framed prints or albums, expect between 4-6 weeks from session date to order delivery, with most in the middle at 5 weeks. For digital files or social media products, expect between 1-3 weeks from session date to order delivery, with most in the middle at 2 weeks. I’ll ask you about any expected deadlines early on and make adjustments to accelerate the process.
Sounds good? How do I book?
The first step begins with scheduling a phone call to talk about your vision and goals. If you fill out the Contact Form here I’ll be better prepared when we speak. If it is easier, call (646-320-0777) or email (info@fidufoto.com). You can expect me to respond within a day.
Can I purchase a gift certificate?
Yes! I will create special, personalized images of loved ones that will be treasured and shared for years. Capturing the ties that bind, or the unique sparks that form a relationship is what I do best. Gift certificates can be used any time of year and start at $250. Use my Contact Form here with the basic details.
What if I'm not ready right now?
No problem. Just sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page, so you can read about our latest news, promotions, and see new sample images. When you’re ready to book, I’d love to have the opportunity to be your photographer. You can sign up for the newsletter near the bottom of every page on this website.
What if I need to reschedule my booking?
Contact me ASAP if you need to reschedule a booking. I do not charge for rescheduled sessions if you give me more than 3 days notice on a standing booking. There is a 20% charge (of the initial session fee) for rescheduling sessions within 3 days of a standing booking; and a 50% charge for a rescheduled session within 24 hours.
What if I need to cancel my booking?
Unexpected things happen. Cancellations made prior to 7 days of a session booking are 100% refundable. Cancellations made less than 1 week prior to a session booking are non-refundable. In the unfortunate event that your animal passes away before the session your money will be fully refunded.
Who is Fidus Foto?
My name is Jay Rabinowitz and I’ve been involved with animals since I soon after I started to walk at 5 years’ old with my Collie, Schatzie (see photo below). Since then there have been other dogs and, certainly, cats, a weekend with several hamsters, a few snakes, assorted amphibians, and a brief spell with a chicken. I’ve ridden a few horses too.
Today, I’m bound to three critters; my pound-found, adopted Terrier mix, 🐶 Babka, and two cats, shy 🙀 Shrimpy and the simply indefatigable 😼 Mrs. Hudson.
I received my first camera at age 11 (from the same photographer who took the photo below) and have been an imagemaker since. My love of photography took me to create fine art portfolios, start a commercial studio, earn a MFA in fine arts, and on to work as a museum curator. If an image came out of a camera I can likely tell you who made it, where they made it, how made it, and, maybe even, discuss what it may mean.
Along the way I also worked as an executive and business consultant in the brand, design and technology industries for start-ups to major agencies. Finally, I created an eLearning startup with work readiness and financial literacy curriculum for youth and adults.
I started Fidus Foto to capture the joy and love we have for our animal companions. Fidus means trustworthy, loyal, steadfast, and certain. That seems to describe our relationship with our animals …most of the time.
My photo work has generally gravitated towards investigations of relationship and environmental dynamics. I want explore and portray relationships between animal and people in family, working and sporting environments. For me, the connection with our animal companions is powerful and revealing. I’m motivated by the never-ending surprises what can occur in front of my camera.
Jay & Schatzie