Why I DO NOT use live animals in my photo sessions…

Anyone who has looked my photos have probably noticed that I use minimal props for my sessions. I do this because the focus should be on my subject rather the objects that appear  around them. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE props!!! I just don't like too much and I think keeping it natural and minimal is important in keeping the focus on the person or people that I am photographing. It's my style.

I also LOVE animals... All kinds of animals! I also care about animal rights. Because if we don't
advocate for their rights, who will? Now I'm not super hardcore, and I am not vegan, but I try to make an effort to purchase cruelty free products and I do not support businesses that don't support my beliefs (like circus' that use animals in their acts).

Fawn my husband rescued from the side of the road a few years back.
He was taken to a rehabilitation center in Zebulon. 

With that said, I also do not use bunnies, chicks, or other small animals for my photography sessions. Now if you live on a farm, raise those animals and would like to be photographed with them because they are a part of your family; well that is a different situation. I'm talking about using those animals solely for cutesy props…

So, unless the animal is your own pet(s), these are the reasons why I do not use small animals in my photo sessions:

• A license/permit is required under the Animal Welfare Act through the USDA. 
• If a vendor is used they must be licensed, insured, and carry such a permit through the USDA. 
• Small and baby animals, like chicks and bunnies, can be easily injured or killed if they are mishandled. 
• Handling of the animal(s) may cause undue stress and that is just not necessary. PETA has written an article about bunnies being stressed and terrified. I feel that unjustly causing a small animal fear or panic is just not worth it. 
• Many small animals can carry disease; Tularemia, Salmonella… ((yuk))
• No one wants to be bit, scratched or infected by an animal… and I would like to not be sued because of it. 
•  I don't think anyone likes to be peed or pooped on... and I especially do not like cleaning that stuff up...

So in a nutshell, I don't believe in the use of live animals as a photo prop and I think your portrait can be made to be just as cute and endearing without the use of those live animals. 

I used a variety of sources and common sense to compile my list. The sources that I through carried the most importance I have linked above.

SPRING | Mini Sessions

For those who have been patiently waiting on the date for Mini Sessions - I have the information for you:

Date: March 22
Place: Downtown Fuquay Varina (Mineral Springs Area)
Cost: $80 (+tax) -- Included in the cost of your session is a $30 print credit. That can get you a free 16x20 print! Or a handful of smaller prints. 5x7 prints start at $8.
Time: email for time slots,  but sessions are 30 minutes long and includes up to 4 people. Additional people can be added for $10 and your session will increase by 10 minutes/person.
Retainer: $50 paid at booking to hold your time slot.

If the weather does not cooperate or it is chilly, I will move the date to either March 29, or April 6th. And if there is enough interest for an additional date I will add on to one of the dates listed above.

I am not setting a specific time as I can pretty much shoot all day at the Mineral Spring in Downtown Fuquay. However, later in the day, sessions can take place elsewhere as long as there is not direct sunlight to glare in anyones eyes. I have a few places in mind that I would like to shoot at other than the Mineral Spring if anyone is game. :)

Shoot me an email @ LaurenBeasleyPhoto@gmail.com or message Lauren Beasley Photography on Facebook. If you have friends that may be interested in this, please share this URL with your friends. I will have a nifty flier made in a day or two that is prettier than plain text.

Nifty Flier:

Jess Dance | First Saturday: Mar 1, 2014

This past Saturday, I was set up (for a second time) at the monthly Vendor/Craft fair hosted by Jess Dance into Fitness Studio at 40/42 in Garner (behind Cookout). The craft fair runs the 1st Saturday of every month and there are always great vendors there from direct sales to unique handmade goods. It's a relatively new event so if you are around the 1st Saturday of every month, come on by and check out all the vendors.

I will return for the April event and I will be offering prints for sale, a special session discount, and I will have a super giveaway as well. So, if you have been looking at booking or want to try and see if you can win a free session, come see me on Saturday, April 5th!

Participating vendors from Saturday, March 1 - 

Giggly Goat Creations, Anna Beasley - facebook
Cakes by Natasha, Natasha King - email
Thirty One, Dana Peterson - website
South Hill Designs, Sheri Hetherington - website, facebook
Sarah Coffey Designs, Sarah Coffey - esty, facebook
Stylin' for Less Jewelry, Rose Buell - facebook
Miche Interchangeable Handbags, Janne LoFaro - website, facebook
Hair Bows & Accessories by Tinkabow - facebook
dōTERRA Essential Oils, Tracie
Usborne Books, Anne Marie
NeriumAD, Karen
Scentsy, Leigh
Paparazzi, Darlene

See the full album & who goes with what: Jess Dance | First Saturday: Mar 1, 2014

If you have a fabulous product and you are interested in participating as a vendor, send an e-mail to Natasha at NKTarleton@yahoo.com.

And I love photographing events, if you have one that you would like photographed... Send me an email! LaurenBeasleyPhoto@gmail.com

View the whole album! Jess Dance | First Saturday: Mar 1, 2014, a set on Flickr.