PET & FAMILY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
I specialize in blurring the line between historical paintings and contemporary photographs, capturing your family and pets at their finest moment. I like to take a unique approach to portrait photography with all types of pets, including cats, dogs, rodents, snakes, and even exotic pets. Our pets are our family, and I want to capture the bond you have with your pet with a unique and gorgeous family portrait that will definitely become a cherished keepsake.
If want to book a professional or corporate dog or cat event or need commercial pet photography, contact me below for rates.
LA
STUDIO
PET PORTRAITS
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL
PET PORTRAITS & EVENTS
PRESS
‘8 BEST PET PHOTOGRAPHERS IN LA’ - Peerspace
“Danielle Spires has an offbeat, kitschy photo studio in Downtown Los Angeles, but she also shoots in her clients’ homes or other locations. But frankly, we’re in love with her studio work. Regardless of where she is, she has a great eye for creating unique images that radiate creativity and fun, and she keeps things pleasantly light. There’s a very self-aware quality to it all, and many of her photos are pushed into ridiculous territory, from regal shots of cats on opulent thrones to her signature double exposure. It’s hard to imagine these images not winning Instagram every time they hit social media.”
MODCLOTH INTERVIEW
“I always wanted to be a portrait painter. Ever since I was young, I wanted to paint extravagant portraits, something like a Pre-Raphaelite artist would create. I fell into photography, and learned I could create that same feel through photographs. I love stoic and structured poses, patterned backgrounds, highly stylized sets, dramatic lighting, and cheeky subject matter. I’ve always thought the way I create my photos says so much about me as a person: stoic and structured, with a dark sense of humor.”
PETA PIXEL INTERVIEW
“I found a way to fill that void that Noguchi left in my heart by giving people what I always gave myself: humorous and fun pet portraits that straddle the line between Victorian paintings and awkward 80’s studio portraiture,” Spires says.
“The most important part of creating pet portraits for me is making the clients super comfortable in the studio,” the photographer says. “Most people really dislike their photo being taken, so I try to make it as fun and pleasant as possible. After the shoot, I spend some time editing and retouching to get that vintage feel.”
BORED PANDA INTERVIEW
Los Angeles pet photographer Danielle Spires has developed her unique style by using stylized backdrops full of kitsch in her photo studio that result in oddly hilarious and quirky portraits of owners with their beloved pets—creative pics that our furry and not-so-furry friends deserve. But her signature photos definitely are 1980‘s-inspired double exposure portraits of pets with their owners.
“I started offering stylized sets, one-of-a-kind backdrops, and the iconic double exposure to clients and their pets. I’ve photographed everything from lizards to rats to hedgehogs and snakes (and once a tarantula!), but usually, my clients are cats and dogs. After my pet portrait business took off, I have exhibited art shows of pet portraiture, worked with movie studios, and shot at pet events all over Los Angeles.”
LADYCULT INTERVIEW
“I quickly realized people loved my style, and I felt good
knowing I was able to give them a beautiful lifelong keepsake of their best friend. I’ve always been influenced by so many things; renaissance paintings, baroque art, cabinet cards, midcentury modern, 80’s movies, etc. and have pulled from that inspiration in my portraiture. I think clients really enjoy the stiff Victorian feel to my portraits or the 80’s horror throwbacks. It puts a little dark humor in a serious portrait.”
SHOUTOUT LA INTERVIEW
“What I learned is that life is not fair, and I can’t be angry about it, I just need to find a way to make it work for me, and to find some happiness along the way. So I did. It was hard, and continues to be hard work, but I found a way to carve a path for myself as an artist against all odds.
What I’m most proud of, is that people want to hire me for my distinct style. I’ve been dreaming of that my whole life! How cool to have people come into my studio and tell me they want my specific look. It makes me excited every time I’m working in the studio.”
PBS NATURE INTERVIEW
“We spoke to Danielle Spires of @CatPartyPetPortraits – a professional photographer based in Los Angeles – who has built a business specializing in photographing pets with their owners. With 20 years of photography experience, Danielle has worked in everything from fine art to commercial photography but turned to pets after she lost her beloved cat to lymphoma. Her images seek to capture the special bond owners have with their pets in a fun, quirky style. Read on for her pro tips and tricks for photographing pets.”
“If Your Pet Portraits Don’t Look Like This, You’re Doing Them Wrong” -TENDERLY MAGAZINE INTERVIEW
“There are plenty of innovations since the ’80s that we can be grateful for, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are certain things we got right the first time and never needed a whole lot of meddling. The sacred, lost art of double exposure photography is a perfect example of this truth, and these glorious examples by L.A. photographer Danielle Spires prove the point.”
“Best Pet Photographers” -GIGGSTER
“No pet is left behind––a mindset that Danielle Spires Photography keeps with each pet photo taken. From modest house cats to slippery reptiles, Danielle Spires focuses on highlighting the special connection that each of us has to our beloved animals.
With each unique photoshoot, clients are given an eccentric experience that you wouldn’t normally find at a regular photography studio. Not only has her work been published in PBS Nature and VoyageLA, she also has a number of five-star reviews that have knocked many kitten’s mittens off.”
‘CANVAS REBEL’ INTERVIEW
“My studio is focused on highly stylized, retro and vintage style portraiture, with an emphasis on pets. While I also work in commercial, product and headshot photography, I’m usually photographing pets.
I love dark humor, I love unique and stylized ideas. And I’m very lucky that I attract the type of clientele that also wants that.
Recently I’ve been working on commercial shoots, which include pet furniture brands, pet food products, a research project for a university and corporate style headshots. It’s been fun diving into these genres of photography and marketing, and I plan on working with a lot of big brands and companies in the future!”
‘THE MEDIA GUY’ INTERVIEW
She shoots her darkly creative, kitschy and oddly historical painting-esque pet portraits in her Downtown Los Angeles studio. She has a unique self-awareness that makes each portrait one-of-a-kind. Working with custom Victorian and 60’s wallpaper-style backdrops, as well as 1980’s double exposures, her finished products seem to span centuries. She shoots for movie studios, big brands, movie stars, and your neighbor next door, all with a distinctive eye for high style.
Read What the Media Guy Has to Say about Danielle Spires Here!
VOYAGE LA INTERVIEW
Danielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a fine art photographer, I would often shoot self-portraits with my pets with my handmade backdrops. Then the unspeakable happened… my three beloved animals were all diagnosed with cancer. Two of my pets succumbed to their cancer, my world was turned upside down, and I never thought my grief would subside.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m a pet portrait photographer, and I’m known for my highly stylized portraits. I have some pretty unique backdrops, and each one of them speaks to individual clients. My portraits are quirky, creative and unique to each individual and their pet. I also welcome ALL pets into my studio, and have even photographed chickens, tarantulas, bearded dragons and hedgehogs!
GRANDE ANGULAR WRITE-UP
“Danielle Spires é uma fotógrafa especializada em família, animal de estimação, retrato e fotografia corporativa e tem um estúdio localizado no centro da cidade de Los Angeles nos Estados Unidos. Com uma fotografia que mistura o contemporâneo com pintura clássica, Danielle realiza ensaio fotográfico pet retratando a relação entre o ser humano e seu animal de estimação de um modo divertido e único.”
REVIEWS
★★★★★
Danielle Spires is a consummate professional at the pinnacle of the field of pet photography. Admittedly, she's the only pet photographer I've used. Or met :) Still, I simply cannot fathom finer results. Her passion for her craft is evident in everything she does. She possesses a keen eye for framing and kindly directs her non-professional models and non-human models into the perfect pose. She has an excellent collection of funktastic backdrops to help her achieve the perfect combination of class, camp, kitsch and her own indelible style. Bring your most iconic or extravagant duds and prepare to look good. Most importantly, she was kind and patient with our dumb little fluffball, giving her time and space to wander around the studio and get acclimated to her surroundings before we plopped her in the spotlight. And just look at the results. Witness them. That could be you.
-Nicole, Yelp Review
★★★★★
Working with her was so easy! We had two humans wrangling three cats in our pictures (one of which decided he was not at all interested in being photographed) and she took it in stride. Despite the chaos our squirmy cat provided, she was able to get absolutely fantastic photos. The final portraits were downright amazing and completely made my day.
If you want portraits with a bit of whimsy that will make you smile, book an appointment! You won't be disappointed!
-DeDee, Google Review
★★★★★
Danielle was absolutely perfect. Getting photos taken, especially with an animal involved, can be so anxiety inducing and Danielle's energy was so calming and her patience with our sweet cat was so appreciated. And, of course, the photos came out PERFECT! And she was super prompt with them too. If any part of you is thinking about getting your pet portraits done with her, you couldn't make a better decision!
-Caroline A., Google Review
★★★★★
My dog Badger and myself took a 8 day road trip to LA from Denver and one of our goals was to get portraits done with Danielle. We had a such a great time doing the shoot. Danielle was fun and professional and has such great back drops and shot ideas. thank you so much for making our first road trip together a memorable one.
-Joe M., Yelp Review
★★★★★
Wish I could leave 100 stars!
Danielle is amazing! She is super accommodating and has a way with animals of all shapes & sizes.
I'm obsessed with Danielle's unique style and vision with her photography. Not only do we have these amazing photos forever, but the session itself was so much fun!
Also, Danielle is very open to client ideas and vision, you can tell her exactly the vibe that you want with the prints as far as clothes, backdrop, positions, etc. And at the end she will send you all of the photos where your animal is looking at the camera, so you get a large gallery to choose from!!
-Shelby, Yelp Review
★★★★★
Danielle is not only a fantastic photographer, but a wonderful person! She always makes my cat, Mr. Henry, feel at ease and literally makes him look like a male model! I’m obsessed with the photos she takes, obsessed with her and if you want not only the best keepsake of you and your companion animal, but also a great experience, book her today!!!
-Leslie C., Google Review
★★★★★
Danielle is amazing! I had the pleasure of going to one of her pop-ups in Phoenix and I could not be more delighted with the photos she took of me and my pets. The entire process was a blast. Danielle was very communicative, professional, and funny. She created an wonderful atmosphere in the studio. Her photographic style and sense of humor shine through in my portraits and I am can't stop smiling and giggling when I look at them. She is not just a photographer, she is a purveyor of joy.
Stanko Z., Google Review
★★★★★
I'm not the type of person to usually leave a review, but I literally cannot recommend Danielle Spires more highly. My partner and I wanted to document our aging senior cat before she passes on to the rainbow bridge.
Our cat Hazel is extremely grumpy and is generally uncooperative. Danielle was incredibly kind, patient, and encouraging towards our little curmudgeon. Danielle's studio was incredibly clean and cozy. I felt very safe in letting Hazel walk around as Danielle had made sure to block off any spaces she could hide out in. Danielle also had a variety of tactics to make sure Hazel would be focused towards the camera.
As for my partner and I, this was our first time being professionally photographed. Even though we were out of our element Danielle made the shoot fun and we felt so comfortable. She gave friendly suggestions on posing and the whole experience was so worth it.
We plan on bringing in our little dachshund to be photographed for the holidays. You won't regret booking with Danielle Spires!
Sarah B., Google Review
★★★★★
If you own a pet and live near Los Angeles, you MUST make an appointment with Danielle! She is an absolute delight. I was a little intimidated to go in for a photo session; honestly, because she is model gorgeous. Her sweet and loving personality put me and my crew immediately at ease. My photos are terrific and worth every penny! She is a local treasure. So go book your appointment now! You will not regret it.
-Heather M., Yelp Review
★★★★★
We absolutely LOVE Danielle!! She is super nice, was great with our Lola, and 10/10 made the best Christmas family portrait ever of the three of us. I still crack up every time I see it. She has an amazing eye for photography and did a quick turn around. Trust me, you will be so happy with the results that you'll keep coming back to her like we did!
-Tinka W., Yelp Review
Proudly a Mission Meow Business Partner! I donate a monthly percentage of proceeds to Mission Meow, who then combines donations from a variety of businesses to turn into a grant for cat-centric rescues in need. You can learn more or support Mission Meow here!