Every once in a while as a photographer, I get asked to do some special sessions. Such was the case earlier this month with Eagle Rock Veterinary Clinic. They were celebrating their first year of business and each day of the week they had something different planned. Monday was pet portrait day and I got hired on for the day. As an added bonus, my wife works there as well so I got to spend my day with her at work. It doesn’t get much better than that!
The clinic has 2 Tree Frogs up front that I loved trying to get a shot of all day long.
We arrived Monday morning and went to work setting up decorations in one of the exam rooms set aside for the day for the occasion. For an exam room, they sure made it look festive, bright, and colorful. I couldn’t help but get excited about all the pets coming my way soon.
Aside from the cute pets, I knew I wanted to also photograph the day in the life of a vet clinic. I obviously love animals and everyone working the clinic also is passionate about animals so I knew there could be a story here. Dr Seda was happy to grant me access and to photograph pretty much everything that day.
Before I tell my story, please note I did photograph all aspects of the day including surgeries. None of my images are explicit by any means but there are some surgical photos so if you’re a bit squeamish i would recommend skipping over that section.
First Shots
It didn’t take long for the first patients to arrive. Aside from the normal daily exams, there were a few surgeries on the schedule as well and those pets began arriving and getting prepped.
Earlier in the year I had done employee portraits for the clinics website and they had some new employees now so my first task was photographing them with their pets.
Photographing pets was not surprisingly similar to the wildlife I often pursue. Mostly non cooperative but with enough cuteness that it doesn’t bother me much. At least pets respond to names and sounds much better.
A Closer Look
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at your vet clinic? I know I was always curious about the work they do and I got that curiosity satiated. The biggest takeaway I got from the day was how much fun the staff has going about their day and just how much they truly care about your pets. Everyone was just so patient and caring with all the animals. I heard lots of laughter throughout the day. I also felt the sorrow of those who had to make the most difficult decision when it comes to their cherished pets. Professionalism in all things, the staff at Eagle Rock Veterinary Clinic is Bar none.
Labs and Imaging
I’m a technology dork. I don’t understand technology all that well but I’m intrigued by it just the same. The clinic had all kinds of gadgets and equipment that they used throughout the day. From X-rays of a dog with a broken hip to the blood work from a stray cat that was brought in. I got to see everything in action. Probably my favorite moment with the equipment was when Dr Seda let me look at some yeast samples through a microscope. I even managed to get my camera up to it for an interesting image to share.
Alexis and Melissa also did a fantastic job of explaining what they were doing as they worked. This actually helped me capture better images and I got a better understanding of how our pets are cared for and examined.
Surgeries and Procedures
There were two surgeries scheduled that I was able to watch. Both were getting spayed and one was also undergoing a repair of some type as well. The surgeries themselves were straightforward and very fascinating to watch. Neither took very much time either. Dr Seda made it look so simple and effortless it was obvious she’s done this many times.
Of all the prep work that goes into surgeries, my favorite part is the heart monitor clipped to the animals tongues. Rest assured that when your pets are under, there are multiple people in the room, monitoring everything and keeping them safe.
The Hardest Call
Out of respect for those who lost a pet that day, I did not photograph any of those proceedings. I will however share how the staff handles those situations. They have a special candle that gets lit and a sign in the waiting room so others can be aware and respectful during that time. Even once it’s done, everything is done respectfully and behind the scenes.
The Staff You Love
It makes a difference when you have good people caring for your pets. The staff here at Eagle Rock are as caring as they come. And they have so much fun while working. I laughed all day long at their crazy antics and even did a quick shoot for the front staff.
Pet Portraits
The moment we’ve all been waiting for! The actual portraits. I’ve chosen a sampling of some of my favorite photos/pets to share. These are in no particular order, they’re just my favorite portraits of the day.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a deeper look behind the scenes at Eagle Rock Veterinary Clinic. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope I get invited back in the future as well. If you enjoyed this pet me know in the comments. If you have an interesting job or project that you think could make a good article then I’d also love to hear from you.