Behind Indigo
Hi there, I’m Karen.
I won’t make this long, but here a few things you might like to know about me right out of the gate. First off, I’m a dog mom, to two scruffmeisters: Indy, a Jack Russell rescue from London, and Lucca, a Texas mystery mix rescue from Houston. They are tons of fun and I adore them.
I’m also a professional pet photographer specializing in dogs and horses. I photograph beloved pets in studio and on location throughout the Niagara region and help my clients finish their favourite images as artwork they’ll treasure for years to come.
When I’m not photographing pets, you’ll find me exploring Niagara’s wine country or planning trips to Europe to photograph pets there!
But let me step back a little…
I photograph dogs (and the people who love them) because I learned the hard way what it feels like to wish you’d done it sooner.
Before Indigo Pet Photography existed, there was Samantha.
Sammy was my heart dog. She came into my life when I needed her most and got me through some verrry rough patches. She was my raison d’être.
When I lost her at 15 years old, I realized something that stings to this day: I had no photographs of her on my walls. Nothing finished. Nothing intentional. No beautiful reminder of her precious soul. Just phone photos and snapshots tucked away on devices or fading in little tiny frames.
That regret became my motivation.
This is the dog that changed my life, sweet Sammy. You can read more about our story here ›
My Current Obsessions: Indy and Lucca
Today, Indy and Lucca keep me on my toes. Indy may be 14.5 but he’s still a live wire (helloooo, Jack Russell energy!) and he’ll willingly be in front of the camera, he’s the consumate photo bomber. Lucca (named for my happy place in Italy) will work for food, unless he spots a squirrel! Split second timing is important with him!
They remind me daily that every dog is different -and that’s exactly what makes them perfect.
How it all started
After Samantha passed, I started seeing dogs differently. Their expressions, their quirks, the way they live so fully in the present. As soon as I adopted Indy, I started photographing him, mostly for myself. People started asking if I’d photograph their dogs. That’s when I knew.
I’ve spent 12 years mastering light, timing, and have learned to anticipate the fleeting moments that reveal personality and emotion. I’ve refined my approach and have developed tools and tricks that help me photograph dogs exactly as they are, in all their perfect imperfection. Goofy, joyful, regal, focused… sometimes all within the same session.
Ready to see how this works?
“Sometimes you never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”
-Dr. Seuss
What matters to me when I photograph your dog
I care deeply about who your dog is, not how well they sit on command.
Sessions are guided, patient, and shaped around your dog’s comfort level. Some dogs are bold, some are cautious, some need a little time to warm up. All of that is just fine and totally normal.
Please know:
- Your dog’s safety always comes first. Leashes stay on during sessions and are removed later in editing.
- I work at your dog’s pace. There’s no pressure to perform.
- The goal isn’t perfection. It’s genuine expression and connection.
If you want to be in the photos with your dog, I love that. If you don’t, that’s okay too. This is about what feels right for you.
Move the slider side to side to see the before and after.
Why finished artwork matters
Finished artwork gives your dog a place in your home that reflects the place they hold in your life.
It’s a daily reminder. A small smile, or a quiet chuckle. And yes — pride. Why wouldn’t you show off your best friend?
That’s the difference finished artwork makes.
Not something sitting in a folder somewhere on some device — but something you live with, every day.
This philosophy drives what I offer—from the initial consultation to the artwork you’ll hang on your walls.
Here's the practical bit
I’m based in Niagara, Ontario, and I specialize in photographing dogs throughout the Niagara region and beyond. I work both in studio and outdoors, depending on what suits your dog and the kind of artwork you’re drawn to.
I take on a limited number of sessions so I can give each one the attention it deserves. I’m also selective about the work I take on — not because I’m fancy, but because trust, fit, and care matter.
