Every dog is different,
and that’s the fun part!
Hi, I'm Silke, the one cheering from behind the camera while your dog does their thing. Professional model or professional clown? Doesn't matter to me. I'm a dog photographer roaming the San Francisco Bay Area, and whether your dog thinks every stranger is a new best friend or a personal threat, you're in the right place.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
I'm the treat lady. Bring your dog, I bring an unreasonable amount of snacks.
I remember dog names way better than human names. If we've met, I probably know your dog's name and I'm blanking on yours. Sorry.
This business actually started in Brooklyn, before it made the cross-country move to the Bay.
I've cried more while writing blog posts about celebration-of-life sessions than during the actual sessions themselves.
My own dog Molly is basically a catdog. Independent, does her own thing 24/7. I'm not offended. Just a little hurt.
I'm Dutch, which means I default to blunt honesty. Over a decade in the US has taught me to soften it with an enthusiastic "so good to see you!!" first tho.
From Art History to Dog Photography
After grad school I spent years working in the art world, curating, writing, you name it. But then somewhere along the way, I traded gallery walls for muddy trails and traded "please don't touch the artwork" for "please stop eating that stick." My love for art never really left, it just found a much better subject.
My biggest muse now is Molly, a very typical Taiwanese village dog. She's shy, a little goofy, and not always thrilled about being perceived, and honestly, she taught me most of what I know about photographing dogs who'd rather not be the center of attention. Turns out a lot of dogs are pretty clear about not wanting the attention. Most humans are just terrible at reading the signs.
Silke is awesome, she photographed Ghim beautifully and even made me the human not look awkward.
- Jackie & Ghim 🐾
Letting Dogs Lead the Way
A lot of dogs have full main-character energy, tail going, ready to meet every human they see, and those dogs get plenty of attention, plenty of camera time, plenty of "oh my god, hi!!" from strangers on the street.
But there are just as many dogs who don't want that. Dogs who see an enthusiastic "dog person" barreling toward them and wish they could disappear. Those dogs tend to get overlooked, or worse, pushed to perform enthusiasm they don't actually feel. That's exactly who I built my whole approach around.
I don't buy the "it's all how you raise them" line. Genetics, trauma, a bad start in life, sometimes a dog is just dealt a harder deck. It's not their fault, and it's not yours. I photograph dogs as individuals, quirks, weird habits, "flaws" and all.
I'm a Fear Free Shelters graduate, meaning I've been specifically trained in low-stress handling, genuinely useful when your dog would rather not have a stranger with a camera in their space.
Giving Back
Outside of client sessions, you'll usually find me volunteering with local rescues, camera in hand. I regularly photograph adoptable dogs for Rocket Dog Rescue and Berkeley Humane, because a good photo can genuinely be the difference between a dog getting overlooked and a dog getting adopted. There's nothing quite like seeing that a dog I photographed found their people.
I'm also proud to be a member of the Safe Space Alliance and a supporter of the Tilly Project, because how I show up in this work matters just as much as the photos themselves.
Is your pup ready for their close-up?
Your dog is one of a kind, their photos should be, too. Let’s capture the love, the quirks, and the little moments that make your bond so special.
Home base: Emeryville. Range: anywhere a tail is wagging.
Serving San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and beyond.