Horsing around is a way of life for two sisters in De Pere
Pondview Lavender Farm: A budding business
June 10, 2024
SCHOFIELD – Tiffany Schmitt said her love of photography began at age 14 when she received her first camera as a gift.
Schmitt, who also showed horses, said she began taking photos of horses at different shows as a hobby.
After high school, she said she had several jobs involving some aspect of photography, such as working in a dark room.
“Working different jobs over the years, I learned a lot about business and photography, as I was lucky to get jobs in the industry,” she said.
Then, in 1999, Schmitt said she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“Catching it early was certainly a lifesaver, but having cancer was a life changer,” she said. “It pushed me to follow my passion for photography and start my own business.”
After receiving a clean bill of health in 2000, Schmitt said she decided it was time to open her own photography studio – and Portraits by Tiffany was born.
“I did senior photos, weddings… everything,” she said. “Photography has been a lifelong obsession for me.”
As her business grew, Schmitt said she purchased additional equipment and a studio, all while continuing to invest in her education to improve and expand her skills.
In fall 2020, she said she received a call that changed the projection of most of her work – she was asked to shoot a dog show.
Since then, Schmitt said she has kept “busy beyond busy” taking photos at dog shows, agility shows and horse shows – a full-circle journey as her passion for photography started by taking pictures of horses.
She said she also began specializing in taking photos of people’s pets – including dogs, cats, rats, snakes, turtles and a sugar glider (a nocturnal gliding possum that can glide through the air like a flying squirrel).
“The sugar glider is the most unique animal I’ve taken a photo of,” she said. “Though I was trying to take a photo of it, it jumped on my head.”
Schmitt said the demand for photos of dogs and horses in competition is high – taking photos of award-winning animals from as far north as Escanaba, Michigan, to as far south as Indianapolis.
“There are photos of the animals in competition ringside, along with photos of the animals after they win with their ribbons,” she said. “I sometimes bring along my backgrounds to get portraits of the animals as well.”
Breeders, Schmitt said, are also interested in her work, reaching out to her to get photos taken of puppy litters, for example.
When photographing people’s pets in her studio, Schmitt said she tells owners to leave the treats and toys at home.
“I like to use different noises, whether I make the noise or I blow a duck call or use an app that makes an animal noise to attract their attention,” she said. “The animal usually hasn’t heard that sound before or is curious about it, so they look my way.”
Cats, Schmitt said, earn the title of being the most challenging pet to capture on film.
“Cats are going to do what they want to and when they want to do it,” she said.
Schmitt said she’s come up with different ideas to capture their attention, such as making a hole in construction paper and waving a toy to get the cat to poke their head through.
When pets first arrive at the studio, Schmitt said she likes to keep interactions business-like.
“I don’t want to get too friendly at first, especially with the dogs, because they’ll want to come over and get pets while I’m taking the photos,” she said. “But once we are all done, that’s the best time because I get puppy hugs.”
Increased interest
Schmitt said pet photography is growing in popularity as more people treat animals like their children – which includes getting professional photos of them to hang in their homes.
According to the American Pet Products Association, Midwest residents spent more on average on their pets in 2022 than other places in the country.
Millennials and Gen Zers also spend more on their pets than older generations.
Schmitt said she also takes photos of people with their pets.
“It will be an entire family photo, everyone and all the pets,” she said. “People always worry about how their pets will behave or if I will get a good photo of them. I tell them to relax and not worry.”
A whole lot of everything
Though Portraits by Tiffany focuses heavily on animal photos, Schmitt said it isn’t all she does.
She said she still takes photos of seniors, brides, families and people with their motorcycles.
Photo technology, Schmitt said, has come a long way since she first began taking photos – using film and having it developed in a dark room before making prints.
Now, she said she can edit images digitally on her computer.
“For a show weekend, I can have 20,000 photos to go through,” she said. “I can’t imagine doing that without digital technology. Also with the older technology, I wouldn’t be able to shoot 30 frames a second like I do now.”
Schmitt said she can also turn photos she’s taken into painting-like portraits.
“It’s another offering I have that helps set me apart,” she said.
Though the industry has shifted significantly toward digital, Schmitt said she still enjoys working with customers to provide them with physical prints.
“I still provide digital images if the customer wants because so many people enjoy sharing them on social media,” she said.
More than just pictures
Schmitt said Portraits by Tiffany supports Rescue Adopt Donate (RAD) of Wisconsin each April through a special fundraiser through Pawtraits for Pets.
Through the fundraiser, Portraits by Tiffany offers mini sessions with three digital images or a full session with five digital images – with $25 from each session being donated to RAD to support Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, which pairs dogs with veterans.
It’s a cause, Schmitt said, that has gained in popularity and is near and dear to her heart.
For more information about Portraits by Tiffany (320 Ross Ave. #13 in Schofield), visit picturesattiffanys.com.
