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Where photo sessions feel like play dates!
















"They captured your heart...let me capture their soul"

 

                                                                                                               ~ Jennifer Whaley

                                                                                                                          Owner/Photographer

WHY PHOTOGRAPHY & WHY DOGS?


"I come from a long line of photographers & I grew up around the craft. My Grandfather (Vern Whaley) was the picture editor of the Chicago Herald-American and he started a PR Photo Biz back in the 50's. My Dad took it over and my brother has a successful wedding photography biz (Timothy Whaley & Associates). So, that's why photography. Dogs? I absolutely love them and can't think of better 'people' to spend my days around.

     

Jennifer Whaley of Fetch Portraits as a child with cat
HEY- WHERE DID THESE PICS OF YOU WITH THE CAT COME FROM?

"My Dad had a brilliant idea to start a Pet Portrait business. This was truly unconventional and ahead of its time back then?nobody else was doing it. I remember being summoned to the studio in my Sunday best to have my Uncle Chuck photograph me with my dad?s cat, Focus. He was going to put my picture in the brochure! I fell in love with the experience. It was incredible to me that such a great photographer was a slave to the wiles of a cat. I saw Chuck think (which was something he didn?t have to do often with his photography tenure). He had to wait for his subject, there was no way to direct him?he just had to wait. When I saw the brochures and realized my dad was starting this business, I was elated at the thought that someday I could be a pet photographer. I was 8 years old and felt as though I?d found what I?d been searching for my whole life. Sadly, for some reason my father never followed throuhg on the idea. Now almost 30 years later, I'm finally doing it."
Jennifer Whaley of Fetch Portraits Chicago as a child in studio


WHAT'S A SITTING LIKE?

Fun! I don't just want you to love the pics, I want you to enjoy the entire experience and even be a part of the shoot if you so choose. The pics to the right were taken by Greta's Daddy, Jim, during a shoot at his home.  Below is one of the shots from the session.
Jennifer Whaley of Fetch Portraits

JUST DOGS? WHY NOT CATS?

"I really love cats. My Dad had 3 of them when I was a kid. I barely remember visiting him on the weekends though, as a result of all the Benadryl I had to take to stay there. I'm exaggerating a bit, of course, but sadly I am still allergic and can't hold the camera steady while sneezing.

I also think it's important to be an expert. Cats, Birds, Snakes, even Rats...there's no end to the kinds of creatures people love and consider part of their family. I know Dogs best and that's why I photograph them best. If you want your Rat photographed then you should go to the best Rat photographer. If you want a portrait of your Dog, you should come to me."
Jennifer Whaley of Fetch Portraits Chicago as a child with photographer

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?

"See for yourself. Pictured to the left is me with my first dog, Sam. Apparently this particular weekend I decided it would be fun to photograph her as an old lady. I was very lucky to have such a willing subject; she allowed me to learn a lot at a very young age. I don't dress up dogs anymore. Sam was such a beautiful dog and I learned from this picture that she looked the most beautiful when she was the most happy...right there in my own back yard where she was absolutely free to be herself."

 

 

 

 

 
Lots of breaks & bonding helps me get in close & get those shots you'll cherish for years to come.