Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Bone.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Hi, I’m Amy Bone and I’m not your grandmother’s pet photographer.
I began Paw Prints back home in Charleston, SC after I quit my Corporate job. I was unhappy at work and felt like I was contributing nothing to the greater good of society. I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease as well and simply kind of lost. All I knew was that I was in love with my dog, Bear, and I wanted to share that. So I picked up a camera and got to work.
I moved Paw Prints, myself and Bear to Chicagoland in October of 2017 to be closer to my boyfriend. Since that move, the company has been very successful and I’ve been able to truly capture what I hope Paw Prints does for others- putting your pet in the all of the big moments.
Flash forward to today and I’m very proud of where my pet photography has gone. I love capturing families, couples, and individuals with their fur babies and creating lifelong memories. I also love explaining to others why pet photography is so important. It doesn’t have to be just portrait images of your pet, but true lifestyle memories of the unique bond you share.
Paw Prints Photography is not a part of a multi-facet company, as I created a product shop to compliment my photography services. The shop is called, The Paw Prints Shop and I hand make pet coffee mugs and water bottles. In 2018 both Paw Prints Photography and The Paw Prints Shop will be under a new umbrella called Amy Bone. My goal is to build a brand, not a business. I want to have a large platform where I can show others what I’ve created, but also share education, pet tips and real life about entrepreneurship.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting Paw Prints Photography and maintaining it since has absolutely not been a smooth road. I’m pretty sure that I’ve made every mistake in the book. Like many other entrepreneurs, a big struggle is the lack of money. Can I get an amen? A personal struggle is the lack of confidence. Building a company can be very personal. Everything you create has a personal connection to you and when people simply are not interested, it can often feel like rejection. I always remind myself of how brave I am and that “no’s” can also mean “not right now”.
Paw Prints Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When I tell people that I am a pet photographer, I usually get two reactions. One being “oh my gosh that is so cool!!” and the other being “oh. okay. That must be fun for now”. Pet photography can be seen as unnecessary and quirky. But I see it as a must-have experience!
I have definitely found my niche. And I stick to it. My entire brand is based around pets. I’m not a photography that also does pet photography. I’m a photographer that does many types of photography but there is a pet in every one of my shots. I like to have fun on set and I like to create images that make people laugh. My style can be described as sweet and loving with a pinch of comedy. Pets give us so many laughs throughout our day, at least my dog does, and I want to translate that into my photos.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment in my career so far has been the joy I feel by giving others memories of their complete family doing life. Our pets don’t live forever and that fact is in the back of many pet owners minds. When I am told that my customers love their photos and love the concept of what I’m doing, my heart is very happy.
Pricing:
- The Guppy, 30-minute photo session. This session is for the lover of the short and sweet! $175
- The Retriever, 50-60 minute photo session. This session really shows off your pet’s features. $260
- The Bear, 1-1/2 hour photo session. Run & Play and Lifestyle session to capture your pet’s personality and your unique bond. $300.
- Party Animal. This is a birthday package meant to celebrate another notch in the collar. I attend your pup’s birthday and capture all of the birthday fun. Both posed and candid images. I even can bring one of my famous dog birthday cakes for a cake smash! $425
Contact Info:
- Address: 1603 Log Cabin Ave Rockford, IL 61108
- Website: www.amyspawprints.com
- Phone: 502-377-3346
- Email: amybone2016@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paw_prints_amybone/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pawprints.amybone/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
