Interview by Sarah Rutledge
“Dog lovers are good people,” says Amanda Jones. The Williamstown resident should know; she has photographed dogs around the country for 30 years. Jones sat down with The B to chat about shutterbug life, captivating canines, and what always brings her back to the Berkshires.
How did you get into photographing dogs?
My husband and I got married in the early ’90s and for a few years we lived in Maine. Both my parents were photographers and I started by following in my mom’s footsteps, shooting weddings. When we relocated to San Francisco, I tried to get into doing portraits of dotcom guys, but it was not my thing. They weren’t up for doing anything fun or interesting. My husband and I didn’t have any pets, but we started hanging out with a crowd of people with dogs. One Sunday I invited everyone to come to my photo studio. I brought sandwiches and beer and we turned it into a little portrait party. That was my “Aha!” moment. I thought, This is what I have to do. I have to photograph dogs. (My husband wasn’t convinced.)
“My work is all about the dog. I want to capture their expressions and let their personality come through.”
I took four or five of those portraits—which are still some of my favorites, shot on black-and-white film—and blew them up to 3 feet by 3 feet. I took them to Sammy’s Pet World, which had a giant blank wall overlooking the whole store. I asked if I could hang the prints, and they said yes. I included my business card, with a little message that said “Capture your creature,” and I started getting phone calls the next day.
What’s your secret for getting a great canine photo?
My work is all about the dog. I want to capture their expressions and let their personality come through. I try not to use any props. I don’t even use their collars. When my clients bring in their dogs, I spend quite a while observing the dog and asking questions to gauge what will work best. Do they love tennis balls? Are they motivated by treats? People love talking about their dogs, and I love hearing about them, so this step can take a while! It’s a great way to bond. Once the dog is relaxed, I start with portraits—after action shots the tongue is usually out—and I focus on the eyes. Sometimes I’ll make a funny noise, like a meow, to get a head tilt. Some dogs prefer playing, and I can end up shooting for hours. It’s all great.
What’s next for you?
After 30 years and almost 3,000 clients, I’m starting to wind down my sessions. I have a huge archive of images and I might develop note cards or start selling prints. But I’d really like to create an online community around dogs. I have a good reach of clients across the country, and I want to develop a space where people can share stories and photos and talk about dog-related travel and adventures (like hiking the Appalachian Trail with a pooch). Bonding through love of dogs is a great way for people to come together, which I think we need right now.
With all your travels, what keeps you in the Berkshires?
I’ve been all over the United States, and every time I come back I think I am so lucky to live here. Pure beauty keeps me here. The skies are dramatic. The mountains are green. I love to hike and to float and tube on the rivers. I love the four seasons. I also love the state of Massachusetts. I love how open it is. We’re top in education and healthcare. We do a lot for our citizens, and I’m proud to live in such a caring state. There are so many places we could move, but we don’t. We absolutely love living here.
