What started as a nightmare ended in my dream career
Biography
Four years ago, Kimberley Jongen introduced this colorful concept of dog photography to the Netherlands with great enthusiasm. As a pioneer in her field, she has brought a fresh, innovative approach to Dutch dog photography.
Since the launch of Motherpuppers, the studio has grown in a remarkably short time into the leading puppy portrait studio in the Netherlands. Clients travel from all over the Netherlands and even abroad to make use of her unique expertise and passion for dog photography.
As an animal photographer, Kimberley has received both national and international recognition for her work.
In addition to radio and podcast interviews, her work was praised by William Rutten, known as a judge on *Het Perfecte Plaatje* on RTL , and she has collaborated with Dutch celebrities such as Manon and Guus Meeuwis.
Furthermore, she has won many awards and was a finalist at the International Dog Photographer Awards, a worldwide competition, where she reached the final with a photo of the dog Joy.
In addition to collaborations with big names in the dog world, her work has also received attention from leading publications. Her work has been published on platforms such as AD , LINDA , the Chantal Janzen platform , NRC , Hart van Nederland , and the magazines of Panorama and National Geographic .
From burglary to dog photographer
We sometimes face significant events in life. How you deal with them is entirely up to you. You can let yourself be swept away by fear and uncertainty, or you can find the strength to emerge stronger.
I chose the latter – and that led to my dream job!
Five years ago, my home was broken into, something that had a huge impact on me.
Fear was a feeling I never had, not even when I traveled alone through the Netherlands and Belgium for work for years. But after that burglary, that changed. I felt constantly spied on, and the question haunted my mind: "Will they come back? Tomorrow? Next year?"
Sleepless nights, driving around my house to check if everything was safe—my thoughts never stopped.
I soon realized that I needed something to distract myself from those anxious thoughts. I had to change something.
And then he came… my savior, an American Staffordshire named Cadillac.
As a mischievous three-month-old puppy, he was full of energy and demanded all my attention, exactly what I needed. From day one, he provided distraction, but above all, a new way of thinking. Through him, I learned what is truly important and began to appreciate the little things more.
To this day, he is my most cherished companion. I didn't know I could love an animal so much.
Cadillac, CEO Motherpuppers Studio
With the arrival of my new photo model, Cadi, I started documenting everything. It was a matter of course to create an Instagram account for Cadi. I bought colored cloths as backdrops and invested in my first camera. Cadi was now my photo model!
Although I enjoyed taking photos, I knew it wasn't perfect yet. The image I had in my head wasn't fully realized.
After purchasing better equipment, I started delving into the technical aspects of photography, such as photo editing, the use of flash, and interacting with other dogs. It was amazing how much goes into taking a single beautiful photo!
With a lot of patience and perseverance, I decided to share my passion with other dog owners. The idea of taking beautiful photos of our beloved pets that could have a special place on the wall inspired me.
That is how my journey began, which turned out to be a great challenge. Unfortunately, it was not as easy as I thought, but that made it all the more fascinating. I was determined to learn and took on the challenge.
I have spent hours, days, weeks, months, and now years learning photography and entrepreneurship. Now, 3.5 years later, I am still learning something new every day, big or small.
By now, I can realize the images I have in my mind. This combination of technical skill and my strong bond with animals confirms for me that dog photography is made for me.
After just a year, I was a full-time photographer. The great advantage of this is that I can invest all my time and energy in my passion. Every day, I get to do what I love most: capturing perfect shots of your beloved four-legged friend!
Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to my burglar, because what started as a nightmare ended in my dream career!
Method
My process of creating dog portraits in the studio is incredibly rewarding; it requires a combination of technical precision and a whole lot of patience!
It begins with carefully setting up the lighting, ensuring it is simple, precise, and perfectly executed. The lighting is often subtly adjusted to highlight the unique colors and textures of each dog's coat. Although my technique adapts to the shape and character of each animal, it always remains true to a timeless and clean image.
The backgrounds I use are sleek, colorful, but sometimes also classic, such as white and black. These serve to keep the focus on the animal without distraction. These minimalist backgrounds require a high degree of precision in composition, pose, and lighting, because every detail is crucial to capturing the perfect image.
In addition to the technical aspects of every portrait session, it is also very important to have good energy when working with animals. What I find very important is calmness; from here, you can build up to other moments with more energy. This way, we keep it varied yet controlled.
I am often told that the dog behaved better than expected, which is the greatest compliment for me!
In post-production, I devote a great deal of time and attention to refining the image using techniques such as subtly adjusting color and contrast. These adjustments give the portrait an even more beautiful appearance, comparable to the methods formerly employed by master printers in the darkroom.
The photoshoot takes place in a quiet studio environment, where no other dogs or people are present. This means there are no distractions, and we can create the tranquility needed to get the best out of the photoshoot.
Upon arrival, the dog is given time to get used to the surroundings. He or she can walk around freely and explore the room at their own pace.
As soon as I notice that your dog feels comfortable, I begin building trust. It is important that the dog comes to me on their own initiative; the speed of this process can vary depending on the animal.
There is no cause for concern if this takes a little longer.
Next, I take a few test photos to let the dog get used to the flash and the camera and to set the correct exposure. When everything goes well and the exposure is set, the actual shooting begins.
Rest assured, for the dog, this is more of a fun play session than real work!
It is helpful if your dog is familiar with basic commands such as sit, stay, and lie down. If this is not the case, that is not a problem, but please keep in mind that specific photos, such as a lying or sitting pose, are only possible if the dog has mastered these commands.
This also applies to the use of props in the photo. For example, if you want a photo with glasses on, it is useful to practice this at home beforehand so that the dog gets used to it.
During the session, you don't have to do anything except enjoy the experience. I take care of the communication with the dog, the positioning, and capturing the perfect photos. The most important goal is to ensure that your dog feels completely at ease, as this is the key to a successful photoshoot.
Neutral, happy, or playful portraits—whatever you love, these different poses and expressions are all part of the photo session, which is why you always receive a varied album from which to choose your favorites.
Did you know
More than 40,000 years ago, people began depicting animals in cave paintings. Over the centuries, we have represented more and more animals in our art, showing how important our bond with them is.
As humanity evolved, our art changed as well. We not only began depicting animals, but also started projecting human characteristics and emotions onto them. This process, in which we began to see human emotions in animals, connected us with them on a deeper and more emotional level.
By photographing every dog in the studio against a neutral background, I create a portrait that is entirely focused on the dog itself. This minimalist approach to portrait photography allows you to experience the dog in a unique way.
As an animal photographer, my goal is for these dog portraits to speak to you. The feelings they evoke depend on your own conscious and unconscious emotions, and that is what makes it so special!
Whether it’s about beauty, strength, or humor, I want to give your dog the chance to bring out his unique personality in the photo, and of course, that includes a funny face!
Publications & Awards
I am proud to say that Motherpuppers Studio stands for innovation in Dutch dog photography . We brought an American concept to the Netherlands and, in an incredibly short time, grew into the most fun puppy portrait studio in the Netherlands. It is wonderful to welcome clients from all over the Netherlands and even abroad, such as Belgium, Germany, Poland, Spain, England, Austria, and Luxembourg!
I have also received a lot of recognition for my work. William Rutten , known as a judge on *Het Perfecte Plaatje* , shared my work on his social media and called me a professional. SAY WHAT?
Additionally, I have won many diverse awards and was a finalist at the International Dog Photographer Awards, a worldwide competition, with a photo of Joy that reached the final.
My work has also been published in, among others, the AD, LINDA, the Chantal Janzen platform, NRC, Panorama, Hart van Nederland , and even National Geographic .
Photographing and post-processing the images gives me immense satisfaction. I am only satisfied when I think everything is perfect.
And seeing the final results? That makes my work truly special; it makes me realize time and again how much I love my profession!