A little about Me
Welcome to 2023’s first edition of Toni’s Tail Talk. We are moving the blog to quarterly and hope to bring you some exciting topics this year!
As our first edition in 2023, and since we have so many new followers on the website, I thought introducing myself would be an excellent way to start.
So, Who is Toni?
I have lived in Manchester, NH, my entire life, except for being born in Albuquerque, NM, and living briefly in Rome, NY. My dad was in the Air Force, and I am the youngest of 5 kids, so I didn’t get the pleasure or disruption of living in different places as much as my siblings did.
Growing up, we have had a variety of pets, from cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, rabbits, rats, gerbils, ferrets, and the lone Iguana.
I am married to a wonderful man who puts up with my crazy obsessions and supports me wholeheartedly. We chose to be a doting Aunt and Uncle to all our wonderful Nieces and Nephews and surrogate parents to all our friends’ children. Our family consists of 2 German Shorthaired Pointers (Buck, 12, and Finley, 6) and a cranky old Parrot (Rio, 30 yo).
I have worked full-time for the past 24 years in corporate America. By nature, I am a compulsive organizer. I love processes and am uber-geeky when it comes to technology. For the past 24 years, I have led teams of 300+ customer advocates, run migrations and integrations, helped launch new products and platforms, and run the office of the Chief of Staff. All sounds very exciting, right? Well, it is, and I would never have stayed if I didn’t love what I do and love who I worked for.
So you may ask, what led you to pet photography? Throughout my life, I have always had a camera in tow, the world's wonders captivated me so much, and I wanted to have them forever to reflect back on. In fact, I still have albums upon albums of photos from my life that I have organized, of course, to look back on and reminisce. While I loved taking photos, there was always something missing that I could never put my finger on.
My turning point
Fast forward to 2016, when I finally got my husband to cave and agree to a second dog. This dog was to be my dog, and while I always had family dogs, knowing this pet would be mine was a different thing altogether. Since day one, the photos were flying; everything she did, I captured, shared, and gushed over. Every electronic device, frame in my home, and folder in the cloud was filled with her life milestones. She quickly became very accustomed to the camera, and I even like to think she would pose when she saw it come out.
When the world shut down
We all faced a reality that we had never had to face before. We were being forced to stay at home and away from others. For me and many, this was a time to get back in touch with yourself, slow down and appreciate things. Maybe even learn something new. I will admit I tried many things and failed at a few. I got a guitar because I always wanted to learn, and that is now sitting in my spare room looking very pretty, I tried to learn to crochet, and I am still working on that blanket today.
However, a new beginning did successfully emerge, the growth and development of Point and Shoot Photography. While the business wasn’t even a thought in my mind in 2020, I did dive into all sorts of education around pet photography. I spent endless days and nights working on my skills and finding this bright light filling me from within. Shortly after, I decided to use my business and marketing degree and create a plan that evolved into Point and Shoot Photography.
What makes Point and Shoot Unique to other Pet Photographers?
There are many talented photographers out there to choose from, and I am so grateful to be a part of their community. But what makes each one unique is their artistic style. This is what is great for you as a customer. You can choose the photographer that best aligns with you, your pet, and your vision.
When I decided to launch my business, I knew I wanted to make it all about service (using my 24 years of experience). My goal was to make the process as seamless and effortless as possible for you as the customer. From the moment you reach out to me with an interest in a session all the way through to your photo reveal and print delivery, my goal is to create a comfortable, stress-free environment. This also extends beyond the human connection; on the day of the shoot, we will take all the time you and your pet need to feel comfortable and relaxed so we have the best experience possible.
Value for your money
Over the years I have spent countless hours researching and printing samples of the products in my guide to ensure I offer the best options for my clients. In fact, the art in my home is the same print options I sell to my customers. I aim to produce beautiful images that can be displayed large on your living room wall or in a smaller collection throughout your home. You will find many print options in my guide to choose from.
What is the difference between High-Resolution Digital and Social Media files?
This seems strangely out of place in the blog, but I felt it was worth mentioning as an extra topic.
Social Media File
All print purchases include a complimentary companion watermarked social media file. This file is created so you can share the beautiful prints you have hanging in your home with your family and friends via Facebook, Instagram, or other digital means (like this blog). They are sized to fit on social media to ensure the best resolution; because these files are sized down for social media, they will not work for printing; however, I have used them for holiday cards and calendars.
High Resolution Files
High-Resolution digitals are files you can use for printing; they will be at a higher price point in the guide and are available in 3 or 5 digital file options. They come on a custom USB drive in their very own storage box. What makes these best for printing is that they are left at a size that allows for the various required print sizes with printing vendors.
I may have taken this blog into more of a short story, but I hope you found it interesting and helpful. Before you go, let me shamelessly plug an upcoming event at Stark Brewing in Manchester, NH. On 3/19 from 11-2, Stark Brewing is hosting a Pup, Print, and Pint event. There will be some pet vendors, yummy food, and adult beverages, as well as yours truly taking some fun Spring Themed photos of you and your pet(s) or just your pet(s).
Please sign up in advance if you'd like a specific time; however, we'll take walk-ins as long as time allows. Just click the link below to go sign up for your preferred time.
““You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.””