Small Animal Photography in Tucson
I photograph rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and other small companions with the same care and attention I bring to dog and cat portraits. These animals require specialized understanding—recognizing when they're comfortable versus stressed, respecting handling limitations, and working closely with you to ensure we never miss signals that your pet needs a break.
Understanding Small Animal Behavior
Small animal photography demands different expertise than working with dogs or cats. Rabbits and guinea pigs communicate stress differently than dogs. Birds have unique body language that shows comfort or anxiety. Reptiles require specific temperature and handling considerations. My nearly 20 years photographing adoptable animals at Pima Animal Care Center and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona taught me to recognize these behavioral signals across multiple species.
I've photographed bearded dragons, hamsters, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, various bird species, gerbils, and other small companions. Each species requires different handling awareness, lighting considerations, and environmental setups. You know your animal best—I work closely with you throughout the session so if you notice stress signals I might miss, we adjust immediately.
Mobile Studio Adapted to Your Pet
I bring professional studio lighting to your home, creating museum-quality portraits in familiar environments where your small animals feel secure. This approach is particularly important for animals that experience significant stress during transport or in unfamiliar locations.
If your rabbit can be handled comfortably, we can photograph them on neutral surfaces with professional lighting. If your bird is nervous about strangers, we can work with them in or near their cage. If your bearded dragon can't safely leave their enclosure, I adapt my lighting and approach to create compelling portraits within their habitat. Your understanding of your pet's comfort level guides our approach.
Capturing Small Animal Personality
The best small animal portraits happen when I'm patient enough to let each animal show me who they are. Some rabbits are curious and engaged. Others are more reserved. Guinea pigs often work in pairs, showing their bond with cage mates. Birds might display personality through posture, feather position, or vocal behavior. Reptiles reveal character through more subtle expressions—head position, eye engagement, body language.
I'm not trying to force animals into uncomfortable situations or handle them in ways that create stress. I work within each species' natural behavior patterns, respecting their boundaries while capturing images that show their unique character. Throughout the session, you're my partner—if you see something I don't, we pause and reassess.
Multi-Pet Households
Many small animal families include multiple rabbits, pairs of guinea pigs, or mixed-species households. I photograph each animal individually and together in combinations that reflect their actual relationships and social structures. If your guinea pigs are bonded, we photograph them together. If your rabbit and bird coexist but don't interact, we respect that dynamic.
Investment
Sessions start at $275 for focused portrait work with one or two small animals, with longer sessions available for multi-pet households or more extensive coverage. Each session includes professional studio lighting setup, pre-session consultation about your animals' handling comfort and behavioral signals, and print credits toward your final images.
All sessions include my mobile studio service throughout the greater Tucson area including Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills, and Vail.
Published Work & Experience
My work is featured in the TMC Foundation's permanent Healing Arts collection, and I've been photographing animals professionally since 2006. As a Certified Professional Photographer through the Professional Photographers of America and member of the American Society of Media Photographers, I bring both fine art training and professional standards to every session.
My volunteer work at Pima Animal Care Center and HSSA provides ongoing experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and other small animals in shelter environments—often working with animals who are nervous, unsocialized, or require specialized handling. This experience translates directly to patient, knowledgeable work with companion small animals.
Why Professional Small Animal Photography
Small animal companions are often underrepresented in professional pet photography. They're beloved family members who deserve the same quality of portraiture as dogs and cats. Whether you're celebrating your rabbit's personality, documenting your bird's unique character, or creating legacy portraits of an aging guinea pig, professional photography captures these relationships in ways that honor the bond you share.
Ready to create portraits of your small companion?
Contact me to discuss your animals' species, temperament, handling comfort level, and vision for their portraits. We'll plan an approach that respects their needs while creating images you'll treasure.