Sharon Montrose officially has the Best Job Ever: photographing puppies, baby deer and even little porcupines in Los Angeles. Since Paris is known for its canine obsession (dogs even sit at tables in fancy restaurants!), we thought it fitting (and an awesome excuse) to stop by Sharon’s studio during a shoot.
Ok, are you ready for some serious cuteness?!!
Sharon on her love of animals: I’ve always been an animal person, more than a people person. I notice dogs everywhere; I stare at them on the street. I’m like the really horny guy–”Look at those boobs! Look at those legs!”–except with dogs.
On how to photograph animals: I’ve been photographing them for ten years now. During a shoot, the animals direct me, not the other way around. I just have to hit the shutter at the right time. And like the Dog Whisperer, I think it’s key to have calm, assertive energy.
On animals’ personalities: The hardest animals to photograph are cats. They don’t have as many muscles in their faces, so they don’t express as much. The baby lamb was really sweet; I was cuddling her. The baby deer was skittish. She had just started bottle feeding; she was really little.
On the bigger animals: I like photographing “hoofstock,” like lamb, deer, reindeer. But I let the trainers tell me what to do. I mean, if reindeer gets spooked, he could kill you with his antlers!
On feeling afraid (or not): It’s funny because I should feel scared, but I never do. During one shoot, I got within a foot of an alligator. My husband had his hand on my belt buckle, just in case. One time, a yak charged me. The trainer had told me, “If anything happens, just stay still,” but I screamed and ran.
On animals she’d like to work with: I recently photographed a lion and a tiger. My dream right now is a flamingo!
During the shoot we visited, Sharon photographed golden retriever puppies and a French bulldog named Hamlet. Here were the adorable results!
See more of Sharon’s work on her blog.
(Color photos by Anna Wolf; B&W photos by Sharon Montrose)
