Vibrant Portraiture For Pets & The People Who Love Them
HEARTFELT PET PHOTOGRAPHY TURNED INTO ARTWORK FOR YOUR HOME
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina + beyond
Your bond deserves to be celebrated.
You love your dog fiercely—but how often are you in the photos?
Too often, pet parents stay behind the camera leaving behind thousands of photos and videos that showcase your dog(s), but not the relationship of you and your pup together.
The way they lean into you.
The way they look for you first.
The quiet or silly moments that mean everything.
I believe your bond deserves to be preserved—beautifully, intentionally, and forever—both in digital form and print.
As Featured In
Xena & Honey
Joanne is absolutely wonderful! I booked a session with her for my two dogs and it exceeded every expectation. I was a little hesitant with having two dogs, but Joanne made it super simple. She was able to grab and keep their attention and focus very easily. My girls LOVED her and the treats and squeakers she brought to our session. She was very thorough leading up to our session with location details, time frames, and everything in between. I would highly recommend Joanne to anyone with fur babies! The photos I got back truly made my jaw drop. Dogs have such short lives and I am so grateful that I’ll have these photos to cherish forever. Thanks again Joanne for an irreplaceable experience.
—EMILY D
Raleigh, NC
What Makes These Sessions Different
Every session is designed around your dog being… well, a dog.
Sniffing, wiggling, zooming, cuddling, taking breaks—it’s all part of the process.
I’m expertly trained in dog body language and behavior, which means your session stays relaxed, safe, and fun for everyone involved.
✨ Easy, guided experience for both you and your dog
✨ Natural interaction along with posing direction
✨ Bold, vibrant imagery and variety from your session
✨ Finished heirloom artwork made to last that we design together
The result? Images that feel full of life and love—and artwork you’ll love seeing every single day.
The Process
STEP ONE
Simply fill out an inquiry here to get the process started. Or if you are ready to commit, choose your preferred date here.
STEP TWO
Your complimentary planning call where we discuss your location of choice, wardrobe, artwork options, session preferences, and all about your dogs! This is where your session really starts to come together.
STEP THREE
It’s time for your pup’s session! Expect a ton of laughter, silliness, and gorgeous images being captured.
STEP FOUR
It’s time to select your images and artwork options! During our virtual time together, I will walk you through making your final image selections and help you design custom artwork that will make you smile daily.
STEP FIVE
Your digital and physical artwork has arrived. It’s time to sit back and enjoy the beauty from your session (plus, you can show off your pup across social media with your images, too!)
Perfect artwork featuring your most beloved relationship.
Your dog deserves to be art! Let’s create swoon-worthy art of your pup that will bring you joy every single day.
IMAGE STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA
IMAGE EDITED IN PHOTOSHOP
THE COMPLETED ART PIECE FOR YOUR HOME
Benson & Arlo
Joanne is not only an amazing photographer, but also a wonderful human! She was such a joy to work with, created amazing photos of both our older dog and our puppy, and was cognizant of both their personalities and abilities during our session. The preparation she put in by getting to know us and our dogs ahead of our session made it so easy to get comfortable when we arrived and she came prepared with everything we could have ever needed - tasty treats, water, a long leash, toys, and enough interesting noise-makers to get the attention of any distractible pup! I cannot recommend her enough to anyone looking to capture beautiful, lasting memories with their pups.
—RACHEL B
Durham, NC
Common FAQs
Can you photograph my dog even if they are [INSERT ADJECTIVE HERE]?
Yes and yes! The number one objection we hear from potential clients is: “Oh, I could never have photos of my dog, because they won’t behave/are too high energy/are too anxious/etc.” Listen, if we can photograph high-energy, mannerless, and sassy shelter pups, we can photograph your pups, too! We have worked with hundreds dogs of all sizes, energy levels, breeds, temperaments, disabilities, and levels of training.
We understand that each dog has their own history, preferences, and abilities. No matter what, we think your dog is perfect. So, don’t fret if your pooch might be leash reactive, is a bit excitable, or not listen on the day of the session—you’ll find no judgement from us. We have plenty of tips and tricks up our sleeves to create dynamic, stunning imagery no matter what!
My dog doesn’t have a great recall. Do they need to be off leash during their session?
No problem! In fact, I’ll share a secret with you… 99% of the dogs you see photographed were wearing a leash when we photographed them! Crazy, right? That’s the beauty and magic of a handy-dandy little software called Photoshop. So, for peace of mind and safety, we keep all dogs on leash and just remove it in post-production.
What if my dog isn’t a fan of other dogs. Where can we go?
Having a dog that is dog selective and leash reactive ourselves, we understand those struggles as a pet parent. During our planning call together, we will talk what the best locations and date options to ensure safety and comfort for everyone involved. For your dog, we may have to choose a less popular location, week day, or a morning session to accommodate your pup’s needs, but there are certainly ways where we can make your session happen and create an amazing result in the process.
Your Dog Photographer
Hey, I’m Joanne!
If I see a dog walking by, you better believe I’m going to go say hi.
Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up surrounded by them—Labradors, Rottweilers, Huskies, Mutts, and plenty of big personalities—so it’s no surprise that my love for dogs runs deep.
That lifelong connection, paired with eight years volunteering in dog rescue, led me to become a photographer who specializes in capturing not just dogs, but the people who love them most.
Now, I love to photograph the loving, quiet bond between you and your four-legged family members—whether that looks like throwing a tennis ball together, snuggling in close, or simply existing quietly together in a beautiful locale.
My goal is to create meaningful, custom artwork that celebrates your unique relationship and deserves a place on your walls, not just your phone.
Giving back is at the heart of everything I do. Alongside client sessions, I donate my time to photographing shelter dogs to help them be seen, valued, and loved among the millions of animals available for adoption. Learn more about ‘Our Mission’ here.
These days, you’ll find me happily covered in dog hair, slobber, and peanut butter—honored to document the connection you share with your dog and create memories you’ll treasure for years to come while helping other dogs find home through beautiful imagery!
Why Five Freedoms Photography?
We are named as such for what the Five Freedoms represent to all animals everywhere (also known as the Gold Standard of animal welfare around the world).
We truly believe that an image can save lives. Our name is a reminder each day to help as many homeless dogs as we possibly can through our rescue photography work.
Since 2019, we have donated our time to photographing shelter and rescue dogs, like Layla here, all across North Carolina.
The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are as follows:
FREEDOM FROM HUNGER OR THIRST
by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.
FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT
by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY, OR DISEASE
by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR
by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR OR DISTRESS
by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Our Triple Guarantee
We want you to be 100% in love with your images, your experience, and your custom artwork.
If for some reason you are not, we will either reshoot your session, refund your session fee, or buy back your artwork. It’s that simple.
Our number one priority is an unforgettable experience and gorgeous, custom artwork from your session!
