We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Wakefield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My journey into dog photography has been a mix of career evolution, personal passion, and a lot of unexpected moments along the way. I started as a photographer in 2003, working in high-volume studios, primarily focused on children. My strength was in portrait sales, which led me to train others in that area. It was rewarding, but also very “cookie-cutter” work. After traveling throughout Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to help set up new studios and train staff, I eventually opened my own brick-and-mortar studio, specializing in newborns and children.
Then came Maddox, my first dog as an adult—a Great Dane who changed everything. I had grown up with dogs, but Maddox brought out a new side of me creatively. I started photographing him every month, dressing him up for holidays, and even doing cake smash sessions. It was a different style of photography than I’d seen with dogs, and it was pure joy.
The shift toward dog photography began when someone reached out asking me to photograph their own beloved dog. I initially resisted, explaining that I was only doing fun shoots with Maddox for myself. But when she described how much she wanted beautiful, professional portraits—not just phone photos—it resonated. I photographed her dog, and not only did she order a lot, but the experience itself was different. The bond between a person and their dog felt more emotional than what I’d experienced with family shoots. It was clear that dogs held a special place in people’s hearts, much like Maddox did in mine.
At the same time, I started volunteering with the Greenville Humane Society, capturing adoptable dogs and covering events for five years. It became a way to use my skills to help dogs find homes. When I moved to the North Carolina coast, I didn’t expect to return to photography—burnout had made me stop in 2017—but I missed it. I started shooting as a hobby again but still set things up as a business, just in case.
Now, I have a studio space, but most sessions are on location to capture dogs where they’re happiest. I do in-person viewings and work closely with clients to create art they’ll cherish. I exclusively photograph dogs—people are welcome only if their pup is the star of the session!
Ultimately, this business came from both professional growth and personal joy. It offers a unique approach, focused on truly capturing the bond between dogs and their humans, which continues to inspire me every day.
Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Jennifer Wakefield, a dog photographer with a passion for capturing the personalities and stories of dogs and their humans along the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina. My business, Crystal Coast Dog, was born out of a love for our four-legged friends and a realization that they deserve beautiful, professional portraits just as much as any other member of the family.
My journey in photography started back in the early 2000s, where I worked in high-volume studios focused on children. I gained a lot of experience in portrait sales, even training others, but I always felt restricted by the cookie-cutter nature of that work. Eventually, I opened my own studio and focused on newborns and children—until Maddox, my Great Dane, came along. Maddox brought a new inspiration into my work. I found myself doing everything from monthly photos to cake smash sessions with him, just like I would with any other family member. This playful approach wasn’t something I’d seen much of at the time, but it was a natural expression of how much I loved him. Maddox inspired me to see the value in dog photography.
My foray into dog portraits as a business was a little unexpected. A woman reached out asking for professional photos of her dog, and I almost turned her down because I wasn’t offering that as a service at the time. But after talking, I realized how much she wanted something special—more than just phone snaps of her beloved best friend. That first shoot was a turning point for me. The bond between a person and their dog is incredibly special, and capturing that was such a meaningful experience for me, unlike anything I had done in the past.
From there, I began volunteering for the Greenville Humane Society, photographing adoptable dogs to help them find forever homes. It made me appreciate even more the role of photography in changing lives—not just for humans, but for dogs who needed loving families. I did this for five years, and when I moved to the Crystal Coast, I decided to make pet photography my primary focus.
Today, I run Crystal Coast Dog from my studio in Newport, North Carolina, but most of my sessions are on location. This lets me capture the dogs in their element—whether that’s splashing in the surf, running through a grassy field, or relaxing at home. I aim to create heirloom-quality portraits that celebrate the unique bond between dogs and their families. Unlike standard photo sessions, my approach is relaxed and dog-centered. Dogs don’t have to “sit and stay” the entire time—we go at their pace, making sure they’re comfortable and happy.
What sets me apart is not just the technical skill or the quality of the final product, but the overall experience. My sessions are designed to make everyone comfortable, especially the dogs. I offer in-person viewing and ordering sessions, so clients get to see their images in a tangible way and select how they want to showcase these memories. My work extends beyond digital images; I specialize in creating beautiful, display-worthy art pieces—like metal and acrylic prints—that my clients proudly hang in their homes.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with clients and the community. Whether it’s working with local rescues, photographing adoptable dogs to boost their visibility, or helping families celebrate a beloved pet’s milestones, my goal is to capture love in every frame. I want my clients to have beautiful artwork that honors the bond they share with their pets—images that go beyond the snapshot and truly tell their dog’s story.
So, if you love your dog and want something more than just a cute picture—if you want art that reflects who they are and what they mean to you—then I’m your photographer. Because at the end of the day, our dogs are more than pets—they’re family, and they deserve to be celebrated as such.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of my most recent sales stories is kind of crazy, honestly. It all started with a collaborative boat project I just completed, photographing ten different dogs from our community. The project was also a fundraiser, and to select which dogs would participate, I sent out a questionnaire asking owners about their relationship with their pets. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional some of the responses would be.
One story, in particular, really touched my heart. It was about Egypt, a 14-year-old Doberman. She was adopted from the rescue we were supporting with this fundraiser, after being rescued from a hoarding situation where she was kept chained up outside. Egypt’s mom described their first meeting, and the incredible bond they’ve built since then. As I read their story, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had recently lost my own dog, Maddox, who had been with me for almost 13 years and was the very reason I fell in love with dog photography. It felt like I could really relate to what Egypt’s mom was feeling. Their bond was unmistakable, and I knew I wanted Egypt to be part of this project.
When the day of the session arrived, we met for a sunrise shoot. Egypt’s mom reminded me of her boundaries—Egypt is cautious around strangers and doesn’t like her personal space invaded. She’s not aggressive, but she prefers her own company. I completely respected that and used my 70-200mm lens at full zoom to keep a good distance, giving her all the space she needed to feel comfortable.
After about five minutes, I could still see some tension in her body language, so we took a break. Egypt has a unique favorite treat—peeled cucumbers, prepared just the way she likes them. I squatted down to her level, partly to avoid looming over her and partly because I was still recovering from spinal surgery. Egypt took the first cucumber with no issues. For the second treat, I broke it up a bit to make it seem like she was getting “more.” But she decided to spit out the pieces, so I leaned forward to pick up what she had dropped.
That’s when she gave me a warning snap. It wasn’t aggression—just her way of telling me that I was getting too close for her comfort. Unfortunately, her snap connected, landing right in the center of my face, from the bridge of my nose to my upper lip. At first, I didn’t even feel it, but I saw the blood. Egypt herself remained calm—there was no escalation, no aggression. It was simply a communication that I had crossed a boundary, and I understood that completely.
We took a ten-minute break to let me clean up a bit, and then we continued with the session. We moved down to the beach, and what followed was an absolutely amazing sunrise session. Egypt’s owners were so connected to her, and capturing that bond felt like the right thing to do. I now have one of her images hanging as a 24″ x 36″ metal print in my studio—a reminder of that morning and the connection between Egypt and her family.
When it came time for the viewing, Egypt’s family ended up spending over $3,000 on wall art and an album. Of course, I’m in business to make a living, so that was a fantastic order, but more than anything, the real reward was seeing their faces when they received their wall art at home and again when they picked up the album at my studio. I knew that those images meant the world to them, just as my own photos of Maddox mean to me. We’re not just dog lovers—we’re dog obsessed, and I’m so happy to be part of that club.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
There are plenty of photographers in my area—these days, that’s true pretty much anywhere you go. But I made sure that people knew I was specifically a pet photographer. When someone asks what you do and you tell them you photograph animals, they often tilt their head like a dog hearing an odd noise, trying to figure out if you’re joking. Some people wonder if you can even make a living from it. Others light up and start telling you all about their dogs. Either way, it gets people talking, and it’s definitely memorable.
When I first moved to the area, I made it a point to attend any networking event I could find, particularly women’s networking events. Although I live in a small coastal town, I found that being consistent at these types of gatherings helped me stay on people’s minds. What I offer isn’t a necessity or an immediate service that people need—it’s a luxury. But it’s also unique, and that makes it memorable. Even if they can’t recall my name, they remember, “Oh, you’re the dog photographer!”
I also frequented our local farmers markets—there are two, one on each end of town—and would often bring my Great Dane along. Great Danes have a way of turning heads, and people would stop to pet him and then start telling me about their own dogs. I’d always have postcards with my contact info and social media handles ready to hand out to anyone with a dog or anyone who started a conversation.
And don’t get me wrong—social media is a great tool, but it’s not where I find the bulk of my clients. Honestly, it comes from being out in the community, attending events, and just being around people. In an age where so much is digital, making real-life connections is more important than ever. It feels a bit ironic in this post-2020 world, but it works!
I also partner with several rescues, which has been fantastic not only for visibility but also because it’s a cause I care deeply about. Thanks to their social media following, more eyes land on my work. But, more often than not, my clients come to me because we’ve met in person—at an event, a market, or even just while I’m walking my dog on the beach. That’s why I always carry business cards or some kind of marketing material, ready to connect whenever the opportunity arises.
Now that I’ve been at this for a couple of years, I also make sure to wear clothes with my branding on them all the time. It’s a simple way to spark conversations or remind people about what I do, and it helps keep me top-of-mind for those who see me around town.
What’s helped me build my reputation isn’t just marketing or social media; it’s being genuinely out there, visible, and engaged in the community. I’m not just showing people what I do—I’m showing them why I love it, and that passion resonates.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crystalcoastdog.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalcoastdog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalcoastdog/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@crystalcoastdog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crystal-coast-dog-bogue?osq=crystal+cOAST+DOG
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@crystalcoastdog/
https://g.page/r/Ce7jaOfq5OIwEBM/review
Image Credits
For the image of me, Five Freedoms Photography: Raleigh Pet Photographer (Joanna Wetzel)