DO PETS BELONG IN FAMILY PORTRAITS? 
Richie Schwartz Pet Photographer
In the modern American culture, pets are increasingly treated as family members. Pets have always been an important part of the family. As American culture evolved in the last twenty years, pets have taken on an even more important role.
More young couples are not just getting married later in life; they are delaying having children until older. As a result, pets seem to have taken the place of children in the lives of young couples and as such, they are treated much the same way that children are. Indeed, many people refer to their pets as their kids and they are themselves referred to as pet parents by the pet industry.
For middle aged American couples, pets are a welcome relief to empty houses as their children grow up and move out. These pets help make the transition easier. For older Americans, a pet often helps one get through the death of a spouse or loss of a job.
Whole industries have been created to service these pet families. These include dog walkers, pet sitters, doggie daycare, pet insurance, and of course, the pet photography specialist.
It makes sense that this unique member of the family is included in the annual family portrait and at other family functions. Pets are even showing up at weddings as part of the wedding party and are included in the wedding portraits as well. More often we are seeing portraits of pets on a coworkers desk along with their other family members. Some proud pet owners even carry small sized photos of their pet in their wallet.
Unlike twenty or thirty years ago, a pet in a family portrait is no longer considered an oddity, but just another loved family member. Is your pet included in your family portraits?
About the Author; Pet Photographer Richie Schwartz
Richie Schwartz, a former Veterinary Technician, Dog Groomer, and Dog Trainer, has over 30 years experience as a professional photographer. He is known as the "dog whisperer" of pet photographers. Richie has a special bond with animals and it has been said that he seems to hypnotize animals into posing for him. Richie is one of the country's most prolific and sought after Pet Photographers. He has photographed over 60,000 pets in 30 states. Over the last ten years, he and his affiliated companies, including Pets Photography Studio, has provided Pet Photography services at hundreds of pet supply store locations for companies such as PETCO, PetSmart and Pet Supplies "Plus". He has trained more than one hundred pet photographers in this time.
Richie is a member of Long Island Pet Professionals, former President of the Professional Pet Photographers of America association and founded the Pet Photography School of New York. Richie is the NY Pet Photography writer for Examiner.com. Richie Schwartz is a regular speaker and educator at area photography clubs, pet expos and other events, where he offers pet photography seminars and workshops. In addition, he regularly volunteers his services to raise funds for rescue shelters.
Web site www.PetsPhotography.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PetsPhotography
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/PetsPhotograph
