Pet Portrait Testimonials

Hi Michael,

Just wanted to send you a quick story from our lives.  Several weeks ago, we had to make a very tough decision which was to help our beloved Gus make his way on to heaven.  We have a one year old daughter who had known Gus as her best friend and had even adopted his name as her first word.  The magnificent photo that you took of Gus hangs at the bottom of our stairs and is a constant reminder to our family of the many great years we had with him.  Many mornings and other times throughout the day when we are bringing our daughter down the stairs, she remembers Gus and states his name aloud.  This photo will be a treasure in our family for years to come.  Thanks again so much for your talent in bringing out Gus' best in your work.

Bill, Catherine and Elizabeth Akers

Dear Michael:

I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed the photos you took of my granddaughter and puppies. I love the photo album because I can take it with me to show my friends.  So handy to have to transport the photos in and I've had so many compliments on the way you matted all the pictures.  The comments were "most photographers don't put this much effort into it". You do such wonderful work.  Thanks so much.

I'm two weeks from Madison's delivery date (~May 12th). I'm anxious for her puppies to arrive. You will love them.  They'll be both Tri color and blenheim color.  We'll have to do a sitting with them. We'll think about whether we want to include Lily.  I LOVE the portrait of Lily and the puppies together. I put the 11 x 14 print in a beautiful frame and it's on my wall so everyone can see it coming into my house. 
It's so beautiful.   

Thanks again for everything.  Hope all is going well with you.

Take care,
Trish Ohlschlager, Palmyra Virginia, Vanity's Darling Cavaliers

Michael,

Just wanted to thank you for the incredible job you did – I knew my girls were beautiful, but you really captured both their beauty and their personalities! Quite a few people around my office saw your work, so maybe you’ll hear from one of them. Thanks again for your hard work and attention to detail – it really shows!

Warm regards,
Lynne Baldacci

Michael,

We were delighted to see Ginger in your web portfolio.  We have loved showing the pictures to our friends and family.  I have just sent the web address to one friend who really seems interested.  That is how I discovered Ginger on the site.  My neighbor now calls her "super model". 
We had such a good experience having the pictures made. Thanks so much for your patience and expertise.

Myrna & Matt & Ginger Kozusko

Michael,

I have not picked my photographs up yet but I know that they are fabulous!! When I brought the "Princess of the World" to you I was more than a little nervous about how she would react. She is not shy about being uncooperative if she is not happy, and if she is unhappy...
everyone is. 

You made her feel so comfortable despite her neurotic mother fussing over every hair. Thank you so much for making it all about her, without even knowing that is how it always is in "Mignons World".I will recommend you to everyone I know that has that special pet.
I know that they will have equally as wonderful an experience as Mignon and I did.

Warmest wishes,
Dawn Kelly-Bryers

This year my brother and I were trying to think of a unique and fabulous
gift for our mom for Mother's Day.  Then as if by divine intervention, I
met Michael Waine at a business meeting.  It hit me that my mom would
just absolutely love a photograph of all of her furry children. My brother and I are always giving her pictures of us and our children, so something new would be fun.  The rub, however, is that she has 6..... Yes 6 cats!  So, how were we going to make that work.  Michael and I decided to try a group picture.  So, I loaded the 6 cats up in 5 crates and hauled them to Michaels fabulous studio.  Knowing that herding cats is impossible, and getting them all to stay still would take an act of congress, we decided to take a shot of each one individually and then photo shop them together.  What a great time we had!  The "we" would not necessarily include our subjects having a blast, but Michael was so patient with them and so creative in the way we were able to have the group photo arranged so perfectly!!!  It was a month before Mother's Day.  It was all I could do not to give her the photo ahead of time. I did share it with everyone I know, and EVERYONE was just amazed at how FANTASTIC it was.  When my mom saw it she just melted....she ABSOLUTELY loves it!!!  It will provide her with a lifetime of memories. 
Our pets are very important to us and now my mom has a portrait that will last forever.  We have all been singing Michaels praises and I will continue to encourage my family and friends to have Michael capture their pets in the same manner that he did for us.  Thank you Thank you!

Allison Bloor, Richmond Virginia

"Recently I had the pleasure of a photo session for my Havanese, Teddy, with Michael Waine.  Michael knows photography, that much is obvious from his stunning portfolio of commercial work.  He is an artist.  But Michael also knows pets.  As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by Michael and his dog, Simon.  We were made to feel at home in Michael's studio.  My dog is slow to warm up to strangers, but within minutes he was roaming the studio freely, playing with toys and enjoying treats while Michael and I discussed what kind of photographs I wanted. 


Michael is extraordinarily patient, taking the time to get just the right shots, stopping to show me on the computer what he had so far and helping me to choose the best ones.  Throughout the session, Michael's calming manner and technical expertise made the whole process effortless, whether Teddy was simply sitting or we were using props.  Believe me, I never thought my active dog would stay put on a pedestal or recline on a chaise!
 
Now I have five beautiful, priceless photographs of Teddy, who is like a child to me, as all true animal lovers can understand.  Pets are members of the family and deserve to be treated as such!  Before, all I had were rough, blurry, snapshots, but now I have true memories printed and framed for myself, my family, and loved ones.  Everyone has complimented the photographs and been amazed such shots could be taken of my dog.  What a wonderful thing for pet lovers, or as a gift to a pet lover!  I would highly recommend Michael to anyone wanting special portraits of his or her pets.  I only wish I had known Michael in years past.  This is an investment I will always treasure.  Thank you, Michael!"

Mary Cella

Michael,

Oh my gosh!  You captured Louie's personality perfectly!

I love the photo portrait that you made of Louie and I....  I have proudly shown it to so many people and would like to share some of their comments with you:
 






• "Love it!!!!!"
• "What a great photo of both of you!!!!"
• "This photographer is terrific. ....there you are….my friend and her handsome baby."
• "MY OH MY, what a beautiful portrait of you both!!!!!!  I'm jealous!!!" 
• "You will treasure this forever........."
• "Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic picture of you and Louie!!!" 
• "That's a gorgeous picture!   -     all Louie needs is a "What, me worry?!" slogan over his head."
• "Wow Rhea!!  That really is an amazing shot!  I will download Michael’s information packet..."
• "It's beautiful of both of you! " 
• "Priceless! Love it!" 
• "What a great picture of Louie!  Cute of you, too!"
 
Our 11"x14" will hang on the wall in my home (either in the living
room or the kitchen, haven't decided where yet!) for as long as I have a wall (!),
Our portrait is simply unbelievably awesome...
Thank you,
 
Rhea McCaffrey, Richmond, VA

Thank you so much for the portraits of Frisco, they are wonderful. I have to tell you, all the advertising you need to do is have someone walk around in a frame shop holding one of your portraits. No less than 2 people stopped me to say that it was a great photograph and one person just to tell me they had a Lab too. I should have taken more of your business cards.I really think that there is a need for great photographers who specialize in animals like you do... everyone mentioned, "I could never get my dog to sit like that", I answer that I couldn't either and the credit is all yours. You do great work. And thank you for all your patience with me and the extra print. Anything I can do to help promote business for you, I would be more than happy to.

Take care and all the best.

Kim Agger

Hey Everyone!

OK, yeah, this is kind of a form letter. But it's not being sent out to literally "Everyone," just friends and business owners I know here in Richmond who I think might be interested in a great gift idea, for yourself, for someone you love, or even potentially for a special client or corporate partner.

I'd like to introduce you to Michael Waine, a photographer who specializes in capturing the wonderful relationships between people and their pets. Michael has been doing some great product shots for our catalogs and such, but it's his portrait work that I thought you'd be most interested in.

OK, full disclosure: I'm NOT getting paid or getting kick-backs to send out this email. After I saw Michael's work, I couldn't help but think what a great gift idea for friends and family (can't stand it when I'm racking my brain trying to come up with something new/different/special) and wanted to pass it along. So whenever you want to indulge yourself with your own pet, or give a gift certificate to a loved one, either way, I know you'll be thrilled with the results.

I've attached a few samples of his work. You can go directly to his website for more information: www.michaelwaine.com/pets

Sharon Bennett, Premier Pet Products

When I am looking for pure joy and bliss in my life, I simply look at the photos that Michael Waine took of my beloved dog, "Starr."From the beginning I have told "Starr" she is a "star" and the Michael Waine photos seal the deal.

I was concerned that she might be fidgety during the photo shoot, but she remained calm under Michael's direction.  He came up with just the right poses to capture "Starr's" charming Shih Tzu essence.  The photo of me and "Starr" is the kind you would expect to see in "People" magazine.  The pictures are heartwarming and heart melting.  Beyond that I learned after the photos were taken that "Starr" needs to have a major operation. 

I am so thankful to have captured these immortal photos of my darling doggie due to Michael Waine's keen eye and photographic acumen.  Every pampering pet owner needs to have a keepsake photo taken by the incomparable Michael Waine.

From Paula Quick, Owner, Quick Works Wellness Certified Reflexologist & Aromatherapy/Feng Shui Consultant

Michael Waine is gifted in how he intuitively captures the unique characteristics of pets and their owners in his work. When you walk into his studio and look around, you see not pictures, but portrayals of personality.

Our English Setters and large white cat are members of our family. Michael photographed our youngest dog, when she was a puppy. Our son, who is not the most willing photo subject, joined the session as well. We were familiar with Michael's work, but were taken aback by how his photos captured our son and the puppy; Our son's quiet, kind expression. The puppy playfully chewing on our sons sleeve. A young man and puppy nose to nose, obviously taken with each other. A seated puppy showing her round, pink belly--as if you could reach out and touch it!

We couldn't wait to share these pictures with our family and friends. Each had their own favorite shot - one of the benefits of Michael providing multiple images to his clients. But all loved one particularly artful shot - white dog; white background; the pup carrying a bright green ball. Unique, individual, fun!

Michael's work is personal and exceptional. We highly recommend him to anyone who views pets as our special companions in life.

Jane Terry, Richmond Virginia

When Michael and I first discussed photographing my bird, Tequila, I was very skeptical.  Birds are nervous animals and get upset with new surroundings and strange people.  However, Michael was very patient. He moved very slowly and he took a lot of pictures until he was able to get the effect that he wanted.  The end result was absolutely beautiful.  I could not have been more pleased!  Everyone who sees the photographs is just delighted and raves about them.

Also, having seen a lot of Michael's other pictures of pets, people and commercial work, I must say that he has a true talent for capturing the best in every situation.  I strongly recommend him.

Kitty John, Richmond Virginia

Michael Waine has taken several portraits of my Greyhounds and each time, he manages to bring out the best in them. Dogs are very hard to photograph, but Michael takes his time, working with both you and the animals to capture just the right pose. His patience pays off as I have never seen a portrait with the color, vibrance and expressions on the animals.   I recommend Michael to everyone who adopts Greyhounds for pet portraits. Michael is also a very giving person, working with the Animal rescue community and giving back to their programs. 

Gil Caldwell, Greyhound Pets Of America, Richmond Virginia

We thoroughly enjoyed working with Michael in the preparation of a "family portrait" including our two very special pets. He was great to work with and had a special way with the dogs that made the final product particularly pleasing. Michael demonstrated a great deal of patience and professionalism in getting the dogs to look their best and in producing a wonderful portrait.
Everyone who has seen our portrait has marveled at the composition and clarity of the photograph. We could not be more pleased with our entire experience with Michael Waine; he is an outstanding professional, especially in creating portraiture involving animals.

Judge David Adams, Virginia Beach, VA

All I can say is that Michael is awesome! I was skeptical about getting our three chiwawas to sit for a portrait. But as soon as we arrived for our appointment they all seem to take a liking to him and towards the last photo they were so relaxed they got very sleepy. My husband was so surprised when he saw the portraits...for the first time he had no clue what he was getting for Christmas! Thanks again Michael for such beautiful work!

Nadine, Tia, Maria, and Pepe, Richmond Virginia