Episode 62. How Photography Connects Us: With Our Dogs & The World with Mindy Dutka of Dogs I Meet

From running away from home with her dog to bringing her dog to college, Mindy Dutka has been passionate about her love for dogs since childhood.  And Mindy’s other lifelong passion is photography. 

6 years ago Mindy merged her passions to create her pet photography company: Dogs I Meet. From family photo shoots to working with pet brands, Mindy is dedicated to using photography to create connection through visual storytelling.

Mindy generously shares her best tips & tricks with us so we can all take better photos of our dogs with our phones. (I was doing one of these things right!)  

We also discuss the value of investing in photography for your family and how that can take on even more meaning after your dog has passed.

From free spay/neuter clinics in Mexico to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, Mindy’s photography has taken her on several adventures to document the amazingly powerful work of rescuers and volunteers working to save dogs’ lives globally.

Did you know a good photo can even save a dog’s life? Mindy also shares with us about her experiences volunteering with animal shelters and rescues to take photos of dogs looking to be adopted.

Mindy & I discuss:

  • Some of Mindy’s childhood experiences with dogs;

  • The role of photography in Mindy’s life;

  • When and how Mindy decided to build a business around pet photography;

  • Working with pet brands and how photography can influence the decisions we make about how to spend our money;

  • The value of investing in photography;

  • How photography tells a story and builds connection;

  • The importance of good photography to animal shelters and rescues;

  • What Mindy learned from traveling to Mexico to photograph spay/neuter clinics;

  • Mindy’s experiences in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria;

  • Dogs as the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic and the project Mindy created to help her through this time;

  • Tips for planning a pet photo shoot for your family – and what are all the costs involved?;

  • Mindy’s tips for how to take better photos of our dogs with our phones

Mindy’s Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Dog:

  1. Get down on your dog’s level

  2. Focus the camera on your dog’s eye (Hint: Use the Auto-Focus feature on your phone)

  3. Lighting is important! (Hints: Early morning and late afternoon have the best sunlight. When outside in bright sun, find a shady spot. When taking photos inside near a window, you want to be an angle - not straight-on at the window.)

  4. Be aware of what’s behind your dog when taking the photo. e.g. clutter

  5. You can be more intentional about taking photos by getting outside during the golden hour and training your dog to do cute things.