They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but for some of the dogs that Amber Johnson photographs, a picture can be absolutely life changing.
Though Johnson describes herself as a creative, artsy sort, with a life-long soft spot for the canine-kind, it took time for these quintessential parts of her personality to coalesce. Formally educated in graphic design, Johnson initially spent time working in the fashion and design industries before realizing that the photography work she was doing on the side was ultimately where her heart was. “I was burning the candle at both ends,” recalls Johnson, “and so the transition was just kind of natural, and eventually everything fell into place.”
That place turned out to be Modern Life Photo, Johnson’s Minnetonka-based photography business where she specializes in pet portraits. Since incorporating nearly four years ago, business has boomed—primarily through word-of-mouth and many positive reviews.
Though Johnson does have studio space available, most of her shoots take place at local parks, lakes and private homes. “My style is not ‘posy-posy,’ bringing your dog onto some generic backdrop,” explains Johnson. “I really strive to bring out that dog’s personality, [and so I work] wherever the dog is most comfortable.”
“I treat dogs like rock stars,” admits Johnson with a sheepish smile, “I figure, they’re kind of like the charm of our lives, so why shouldn’t they be treated like that?”
And Johnson believes every dog falls into that “rock star” category—be they her own, her client’s or the dogs that are still out there waiting for a permanent home. In order to better the lives of all animals, Johnson donates a percentage of each photo shoot to charity, with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Second Hand Hounds and Minnesota Boxer Rescue topping her list of favorites.
In addition to monetary contributions, Johnson herself has served as a canine foster parent, and both of her own dogs, boxers Rowdy and Roxy, were rescue animals. Roxy is deaf, and since her adoption, Johnson has become a zealous advocate for hearing impaired animals as well.
Perhaps her greatest contribution to the animal world is the pro bono photography work she does for local shelter and rescue organizations. These days, most shelters advertise potential adoptees online with a brief summary of the animal and a quick headshot. Each animal’s time at the shelter is limited, however, and the quality of that bio is often the difference between life and death for an animal—and that’s where Johnson comes in.
“A great photograph of a dog can really connect with someone,” avers Johnson, who will spend an entire day photographing 5-50 shelter animals, just to give them that extra advantage when adoption time rolls around. “The second you make that connection,” she explains, “you have a better chance of that animal getting adopted, and just knowing that I can help save a dog from euthanasia or help a dog get adopted faster so that we can get more dogs into foster care—it’s just a good feeling.”
Be them shelter dogs or pets with owners coming in for a session, Johnson works with all sizes and breeds of dogs, and the end product of each shoot caters specifically to the unique personalities of her canine—and human—clients.
“Nothing is cookie-cutter; I never force,” says Johnson. “Some dogs are very calm and almost aloof, and others… well, all they want to do is lick the camera, and that’s okay! I don’t want [to produce a shoot] and have someone say, ‘Oh, that’s very uncharacteristic of my dog.’ I want them to say, ‘Oh, that’s so Jack!’”
As an unexpected bonus, Johnson offers coupons for discount photography sessions to those who end up adopting the shelter dogs she works with—though for the animals themselves, nothing could top that first, life-changing photograph.
Modern Life Photo pet packages typically run between $135–200 depending on the number of animals photographed and the location of the shoot, and include 25–35 fully edited digital proofs, a high-resolution digital file of one photograph (for unlimited reprints), and additional take-home toys and treats.
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See more of Johnson’s work.
