Pet photographs are invaluable and I personally believe that professional pet photographers are AMAZING! Not only do they work with the unpredictable antics of animals on a daily basis, but they deliver breathtaking products so that pet parents can always remember their furry bundle of joy.

The internet is bursting with beautiful websites and blogs dedicated to showing off stunning wedding, event and interior design photography projects, which I adore, as I am sure you do as well. But I personally would love to see more attention paid to the pet photographers.

That is why I am creating “Pawsh Spotlight” — a space dedicated to meeting the talents behind the cameras, who put our dogs in the limelight and capture what nobody else can.

To debut this feature I would like to introduce you to Grace Chon of Shine Pet Photos. Grace lives in Los Angeles, CA and has a striking portfolio filled with editorial, commercial and celebrity work. Keep reading for Pawsh’s intimate interview with Grace and many more of her adorable photos!

Grace Chon (Photo by Christina Gandolpho)
1) What is your favourite camera/lens to shoot with?
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.4 and 16-35 2.8

2) What are your pets’ names?
Maeby, an 8-year-old Whippet-Dobie mix from Mexico and Zoey, a 5-year-old Formosan Mountain Dog Mix from Taiwan

3) What is your favourite thing about photography?
I love capturing the little quirks and individual personalities of animals. And I love capturing the love between pets and their owners.


4) What are three things you cannot leave the house without?
Mints (love fresh breath!), my phone (gotta be able to check emails!) , and my watch (I hate being late!).

5) You’ve worked with a lot of celebrities. Can you tell me about that?
I photographed Lisa Edelstein from the show House with her dogs Shazam and Kapow at their home for the cover of Best Friends Magazine. I’ve been fortunate to work with a number of celebrities over the years including Chelsea Handler, Perez Hilton, Margaret Cho, Lance Bass, and even Uggie the Dog, who was in last year’s Best Motion Picture The Artist.

I was featured on an episode of Tori Spelling’s reality TV show on the Oxygen Network. And over the summer I was on a TV show as a “celebrity pet photographer” about Pampered Pets on HGTV and had an on camera shoot with Antonio Ballatore, one of their HGTV personalities. I was also approached by How I Met Your Mother to shoot some fun dog photos for one of the sets (see below).



6) What are things you like to do in your spare time?
Growing organic heirloom tomatoes, hiking with my dogs, and shopping at flea markets for mid-century modern furniture

7) What is your idea of the perfect photo session?
A dog that is willing to open up to me and work with me, a human that isn’t stressed out of anxious about their dog behaving or me getting the perfect shot, and a location that is beautiful! I adore homes that have great staging and fabulous light.

8) What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Photographing dogs that are terminally ill. I’ve been doing this for five years now but it never gets easier.

9) The best thing about your job is…
Playing with animals! They are absolutely magical to me. I am constantly in awe of the amazing relationships we share with our pets and consider it a privilege to share our lives with them. It is an honor to be someone that documents these relationships.

10) What is your personal motto?
“Try your best and let God do the rest.”– my mom.

11) Your favourite pet product at the moment is…
Any stinky smelly treat. My dogs love them and so do the dogs I photograph. They make my life as a dog mom and photographer much easier!

Thank you Grace for taking the time to speak with Pawsh! Be sure to follow Grace’s beautiful work on Facebook and Twitter!