Cheryl L. Heidel likes to shoot pets (with a camera).
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By Winnie McCroy
Friday, August 08, 2003
It started as sort of a hobby. Cheryl L. Heidel always had a soft spot in her
heart for dogs, and, while living in Washington, DC, spent her off time snapping
candid photos of people’s pets. After moving to New York three years ago
to work for the Lighthouse International, an organization that provides services
for the visually impaired, 29-year-old Heidel decided what she needed in her
life was some more puppy love.
“I wish I could have a dog, but my apartment was too small,” said
Heidel. “For years I was taking pictures of friend’s and stranger’s
dogs; people never said no. Then I realized didn’t have any way to share
the photos with these people. I came up with a concept for a Web site, where
I can take a dog’s picture, give them a card, and if they like it, they
can buy it.”
Heidel has posted pictures of these pooches on her Web site, www.urbanmutts.com,
for about a year. She also does private photography sittings, and this is where
Urban Mutts differs from other pet photography businesses: Heidel’s preferred
method of shooting pet photos is in the animal’s natural environment,
in natural, outdoor lighting. “On your dog’s home turf” is
the motto posted on her site.
“I come to you,” Heidel explained. “We meet where the person
walks their dog, anywhere in the metro area. You pay for my time, and so I
come and meet you and take a lot of shots in your own environment. It’s
more memorable that way.”
Heidel sees many dog lovers, both gay and straight, old and young, and will
travel across the city to take photos in backyards, dog runs and parks. She
has only one caveat to her photo shoots: “I make really clear I won’t
do costumes. A raincoat or sweater is cool, but no costumes.”
This Pennsylvania-born swing dancer doesn’t dislike the owners, and
even appreciates when they get involved in the shoot. “It gives me some
direction in what they want, and the owner can help in holding a treat in air,
which can make for really cute picture if they get the dog to look up,” she
says. But she draws the line at audience participation: “No people in
the pictures, dogs only.”
In a market where one can take their dog to PetSmart and get shots, or take
their own candid photos, why pay for a pet photographer? Heidel modestly says, “I’d
like to think it’s higher quality… and studio portraits, I always
feel they look fake.”
She also notes that her summer special of $99 (normally $150), which includes
a full set of proofs, an 8x10, three 5x7s and 12 wallet-sized pictures, is
the cheapest rate in the city. And, unlike studio shots that require you pick
one photo, Heidel allows clients to choose different poses for each print.
“It’s great for people to have a good picture of their pet,” said
Heidel, adding, “How many people have a hit or miss snapshot? Your pet
is a member of the family — maybe the best looking one!”
Another compelling reason to get quality photos of your pet doubles as a practical
one: “If your dog’s lost, it’s important to have a good close-up.”
This animal lover, whose role models are Jack Hannah and the Crocodile Hunter,
and Desmond Morris, who wrote “The Naked Ape,” works to help people,
having done volunteer work including raising more than $1,500 in the 1996 Philadelphia-to-DC
AIDS Ride, and volunteering for the Quilt/Names Project. But Heidel admits, “I’ve
always been into volunteering and doing AIDS awareness work, but animals and
photography are my passion.”
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