Member Spotlight Index - Learn about more AZPPA Members here

Member Spotlight April 2009
Shelly Fields - Dreammaker Images

www.dreammakerimages.com 

What is your background, education, training, work experience if other than photography? 

"My main background is as a Registered Veterinary Technician, however I went back to college and obtained my B.S. in Recreation and Community Services with a minor in Marketing"

 How long have you been a photographer?
 
"10 years...however I have only become a professional photographer since I moved to Arizona a little under 4 years ago!"

When and how did you get started?
 
"While obtaining my B.S. at Cal State Hayward,  I also started attending college courses at the local community college in photography...the courses were all on black and white photography where we developed our own film, and printed our own prints in the campus darkroom. Initially my subject matter was landscape photography but when digital came on the scene I moved into pet photography and that is where I have been since then."
 
How did you learn photography?

"Honestly, all my real photography skills have been self taught. When I say self taught, I mean by taking seminars, becoming a member at AzPPA and attending all the meetings; and of course by absorbing the practices of photographers I have become friends with through the association!."
  
 What is your specialty?
   
"Primarily dogs...I do a mixture of "pet portraits", "pets with their families", and "dog shows", but I do humans too (families, corporate portraits, etc.)"

What are your goals for your business?
 
"To continue to grow! My lofty goals are to become a nationally known dog photographer and to obtain dog show photography contracts for some select breeds across the nation."
  
What has been your most successful marketing effort to date?

"Marketing to dog clubs."

Why did you join the AzPPA?

"To learn of course!"
 
What has been the best thing you have gotten out of being a member? 
 
"Honestly, it has been the best thing I ever did. Every time I go to a meeting I learn something. I would also like to ad that being a member of the board has been extremely rewarding. I have been the Secretary for the past year, and hope to be the next Vice President of the organization."