FAQs About Chattanooga Pet Photography
Pet photography isn’t just about snapping cute pictures of your favorite buddy — it’s about telling their story and celebrating the bond you share.
Below, I’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions about working with Ride the Sky Equine Photography for pet portraits.
Let’s dive in and tackle those burning questions.
Where Is Ride the Sky Equine Photography Based?
Ride the Sky Equine Photography is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and serves surrounding areas in east Tennessee, north Georgia, and northeast Alabama. Border cities? I’m there. Want me to travel for your project? You bet. Throughout the year, I make trips to select cities across the U.S.
Not in the area but want to stay in the loop? Join the Ride the Sky Herd or send me an email to find out when I’ll be near you.
How Should I Prepare for My Session?
Not today, chaos. Not. Today. I’ve designed the pet photography experience to be stress-free for both you and your pet.
After scheduling your session, we’ll plan every detail during a creative consult. We’ll go over your welcome kit with tips for preparation and a checklist to make the day a breeze.
Still unsure where to start? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Pet Photography in Chattanooga, TN for answers to a lot of common questions.
We’ll ensure your pet is comfortable, happy, and ready for their close-up. This experience is all about creating beautiful, emotional images that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
What If My Pet Is Terminally Ill?
First, let me say how sorry I am that you’re going through this. Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking. For terminally ill pets, I’ll do everything I can to accommodate urgent needs.
Please reach out here to discuss your specific situation, and we will try our best to accommodate your special situation.
How Far in Advance Should I Book?
I only take a limited number of private pet portrait sessions each month to provide the best possible service.
Fall and spring sessions are especially popular, so plan ahead—at least 5–6 months in advance. Want those gorgeous fall colors or spring blooms? Don’t wait!
Join the Ride the Sky Herd to hear about exclusive opportunities before they’re announced.
What Types of Payment Do You Accept?
I accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Need a short-term payment plan? I offer those for select clients as well. Prepaying for your session is also an option—it’s like giving yourself the gift of stress-free planning.
What If I Don’t Want to Be in the Photographs with My Pet?
I get it—sometimes you just want your pet to have their moment. I photograph plenty of pets solo, and the results are stunning.
That said, I encourage you to consider stepping into a few shots. The bond you share with your pet is one-of-a-kind, and capturing it creates memories you’ll cherish forever.
A simple touch on their fur, a candid laugh together—those moments are priceless. You might just surprise yourself with how much you love those images.
What If My Pet Misbehaves or Can’t Be Off-Leash?
Why, hello there, chaos. Didn’t see you coming. But no worries—I’ve worked with all types of pets. Whether your dog is bursting with energy or prefers lounging, we’ll make it work.
And here’s a little secret: most of the pets you see in my images were on-leash during their sessions. Safety always comes first, and leashes can be edited out of the final photos.
Patience, flexibility, and a little creativity ensure we capture images you’ll adore.
Where Do Pet Photography Sessions Take Place?
Pet photography sessions can happen almost anywhere: parks, downtown streets, your farm, or even your home. If you can dream it, we can probably figure out how to do it. That being said, the best sessions take place at a location where you and your pet feel comfortable.
No idea where to start? No worries! I’ve got plenty of stunning East Tennessee locations in mind that we can use as a backdrop. Trust me, you’ll have options.
What Other Types of Photography Do You Do?
As you can probably guess by the business name, Ride the Sky Equine Photography began as an equestrian and equine-focused business. So, if you’ve got horses, I’m your girl. I’ve also been known to photograph cow and goat family members!
But let’s get one thing straight: I only photograph sessions that include animals.
Weddings? Nope. But I’m happy to second shoot for your wedding photographer if you want to make sure that the images of your arrival in a horse drawn carriage are perfect images of not only you but also of the horses. Or if you want to make sure that your ring-bearing dogs are the stars of their own wedding portrait session.
Families? Absolutely when you’ve got horses and dogs in the family.
Maternity? Sure, as long as your horse or pet joins the fun. My focus is on the incredible connection you share with your animal companions.
Ready to create stunning, emotional images of your pet?
Your pet’s story deserves to be told—let’s make it unforgettable.
Don’t forget to join the Ride the Sky Herd for tips, inspiration, and exclusive updates sent straight to your inbox.
Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever.
Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.
She serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).
Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, Chrome Magazine, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.
Ride the Sky specializes in on-location photography for equines and pets. Based in Chattanooga, TN, Ride the Sky Equine Photography works in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond.