DATE: Monday, April 7th, 10am - 4:30pm

Westford Regency Hotel: 219 Littleton Rd, Westford MA 01886

Did you know that 68% of all U.S. households own at least one pet? This includes 86 million dogs. Compare that to the 22 million 15-19 year olds (reported from the US Census Bureau) who make up the high school senior portrait market, and you will see that pet photography is a tremendous market to tap into. This is also why it is one of the fastest growing niche areas in the photography industry today. Being a successful pet photographer comes with many nuances, from understanding animal behavior and safety, to posing and lighting pets, to getting expression. Lisa Asp of Tangerine House of Design in Minneapolis, MN, will help you uncover the mystery of pet portraiture.

Lisa is dedicated to dog portraiture of all kinds - both in-studio and on-location. With over 20 years of experience working with our canine counterparts, she brings a full-time career of working with animals to get you up to speed on all things dog.

Participants will learn dog behavior including body language, signs of stress, and safety practices. We will discuss the importance of a “dog wrangler” and how to quickly train your client to be your assistant if you don’t have one. You will see how to attractively pose dogs – what works and what doesn’t, as well as the best ways to get and keep their attention. Then, get ready to play! Live demos both in studio and outdoors will put this new knowledge to work.

Next, we will switch gears to talk about fundraising and how you can use it to market and grow your business, as well as other marketing strategies – topics that Lisa uses in her studio every day, and things that ANY photographer can use regardless of niche.

Biography

Lisa Asp, M. Photog., M. Artist, Cr., CPP, MAI  has been a professional photographer for more than 25 years.  Lisa has a deep history in portrait photography and has specialized in pet portraits since moving her business across the country in 2011.  Her love of animals expanded into wildlife photography several years ago as well.  Lisa is a 2025 World Photographic Cup Team USA member. She has won numerous awards for her work including Kodak Gallery awards, Fuji Masterpiece, Lexjet, PPA District First Place, IPC GIA First Place and GIA Second Place, two-time Diamond Photographer of the Year, and more.  Lisa is the president of the International Society of Animal Photographers, a PPA Councilor and PPA-Approved Juror.

Her business, “Tangerine House of Design”, produces custom fine-art portraits.  She believes that portraiture is an art form created through the careful application of light, setting and subject. She provides quality portrait services for her client’s 4-legged (and 2-legged) family members.