Pampering pets

Chong said the popularity of the business today is the result of an improved economy and a changing concept. "Now people treat pets as part of the family. They are willing to spend more money on their pets. What we promote is family-style photography. We welcome people to bring the entire family here, especially those with children and pets. Documenting them growing up together is a very heartwarming thing," he said. To Chong, photographing pets is much more difficult than photographing people or landscapes, because animals are smaller, shorter and always on the run. Usually when the session begins, Shi needs to guide the animals by feeding or playing with them and Chong comes to capture the best expressions. Since different animals react differently to the process, sometimes a shoot can last two to three hours.

Shi said one time she fainted from low blood sugar after shooting a 40-kg English sheepdog, because he kept running away and she had to keep dragging him back to the setting.

"To be honest, photographing pets is quite tiring. But when we show the pictures to the owners and they exclaim 'wow that looks great' and have that look of heartfelt love for their pets, that's when we're the happiest," she added.