More Than Just a Pretty Picture: The Value of Hiring a Professional Photographer
- Gundi MG
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Why You Should Hire a Professional Photographer for Your Equine and Canine Portraits
Let’s be honest - most of us have hundreds of photos sitting in our phones, from puppy pics to screenshots to selfies. Snapshots are easy. They’re everywhere. Our devices are packed with quick, casual pictures stored on memory cards and in internet clouds, often lost in the scroll. Sure, they’re handy - you can instantly pull out your phone anywhere and show a friend a small digital image of your horse bucking across the paddock... if they squint.
But do those images leave a lasting impression? Do they truly celebrate the spirit and personality of your beloved equine or canine companion?
When you want to preserve a meaningful moment - or create a portrait that actually looks stunning on your wall - you need more than to just aim a camera. You need the skill, vision, and artistry of a professional photographer.
Behind the Image: What It Took to Get Here
When I first started thinking about becoming a professional photographer back in 2017, I knew it would take more than just owning a camera to create professional-level images. At the time, I only knew how to point and shoot, and I have to say that my images reflected that: flat lighting, harsh shadows, awkward crops, blown-out highlights - the full beginner’s checklist. I understood that to create the kind of beautiful, impactful images I admired so much, I needed to learn how. So I started piecing things together from online classes, photography blogs, the occasional seminar, and yes - even my camera manual. I was determent to learn and when I joined the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) in 2019 I was just beginning to get a handle on shooting in manual mode.
Becoming a member of the PPOC was the best photography related decision I ever made. I discovered their accreditation program, and for me, earning an accreditation felt like the first big milestone I needed to reach before I could truly call myself a professional. I started the accreditation process in 2020, and after nearly two years of learning, trial, refinement and yes some frustration at times, I earned my first accreditation in Equine Portrait. YES!!! I did it, I got it! That journey taught me more than anything else before. Having my own images reviewed, analyzed, and ouch - critiqued by professional judges without any sugarcoating definitely stung at times, but it pushed me to try harder and to finally figure it out. I began to truly understand lighting, composition, rule of thirds, what a difference an f-stop can make - and so much more. That first accreditation didn’t come easy, but it shaped everything that followed. It taught me what a really good image is made of.
Fast forward to today: Five years and five accreditations later, I photograph horses and pets with confidence, purpose, and passion - nevertheless my journey continues, as I still keep evolving, growing, and always in pursuit of artistic excellence.
Gallery of my competition images
Where Vision Meets Technology
A camera doesn’t create the photograph - the photographer does. It’s their creative vision, technical knowledge, and experience that transform a moment into a meaningful image. That said, high-end equipment expands the possibilities.
Like many professionals, I’ve invested a lot of hard-earned money into photography gear chosen for precision and performance: high-resolution cameras, professional-grade lenses, studio lighting systems, backdrops, a high-end computer and monitor for editing, and more. Of course, it's fun to work with new, top-quality equipment - who doesn’t love a shiny new “toy” that also happens to shoot 20 frames per second? But beyond the excitement, upgrading to a full-frame camera means sharper, clearer images with less noise and more detail. Switching to a faster, more accurate 70–200mm f/2.8 zoom lens means better low light performance with crisper photos and fewer artifacts.
While gear alone doesn’t guarantee a great image, it offers more control, versatility, and creative options to shape light, focus, and perspective. In the hands of a skilled professional, this equipment becomes a powerful extension of their artistry - resulting in consistent, high-quality work that elevates your portraits far beyond the ordinary.
Let There Be (Good) Light
As an accredited equine and canine photographer, I don’t just press a button - I’ve learned how to use light, shape emotion, and tell a story through the lens. Professional photographers understand just how much the direction and quality of light can change an image. Whether it’s Butterfly lighting for a clean, flattering look or Rembrandt lighting to add mood and depth, we know how to choose the right setup to suit the subject. And yes, sometimes that means chasing the sun or wrestling with a reflector that catches more wind than light.
The right use of natural and artificial light, softboxes, and reflectors helps control highlights and shadows with purpose. Pros know how to light a face so the eyes are bright, features gently defined, and skin tones accurate. And have learned how to avoid harsh shadows, prevent overexposure, and ensure every image is both flattering and technically sound. You won’t find faces lost in deep shadows, awkward angles, or blown-out skies in a professional’s portfolio - because they understand the science of light and how to use it creatively.
Education and Continuous Growth: What Sets Pros Apart
A true professional photographer is always learning and willing to invest time and often money into good education. As a member of a professional association like the Professional Photographers of Canada, I’ve experienced firsthand how valuable ongoing education and continuous refinement of craft can be.
You have to understand how to shoot in manual mode to achieve the right exposure. That includes technical knowledge like mastering the exposure triangle - the interaction between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. (Yes, it’s a triangle, not a suggestion.) Every professional photographer learned how to use aperture creatively to control depth of field, emphasize the subject, and bring visual storytelling to life.
Through seminars, workshops, webinars, and image competitions, I’ve continued - and still continue - to grow my skills and push myself further. This ongoing development ensures my clients benefit from both technical excellence and artistic evolution… and me having discussions with my camera occasionally!
Precision in Post: The Art and Investment Behind Editing
Capturing the image is only the beginning – professional photographers are also skilled editors who invest in the tools that elevate their work. I’ve poured a fair bit of love (and let's be honest, money) into a high-performance computer that doesn’t throw tantrums under pressure, a calibrated high-resolution monitor for clarity and color accuracy, a secure, high-capacity storage solution that can actually keep up with all those giant RAW files, and of course, professional software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. With these tools, I’m able to see and refine every detail – balancing exposure, adjusting tones, removing distractions, and bringing out the best in each image.
Post-processing is where technical precision meets creative finesse, and it plays a vital role in transforming a good shot into an extraordinary portrait. It’s part of the investment I make so my clients' final images are not only polished and impactful – but worthy of wall space and happy tears.
The Value of Accreditation: Why It Matters
In this day and age where anyone can call themselves a ‘Professional Photographer’, how can you be sure?
Reading reviews is often a helpful way to choose a service - but when it comes to small businesses like photography, they can be misleading. Friends and family tend to leave glowing comments, and a single bad review might just come from a difficult client who didn’t get their way. A more reliable approach? Look for credentials. Many professional photographers are members of respected organizations like the PPOC, CAPIC, or the PPA
to name a few. Membership and accreditation with these groups is a strong indicator of skill, commitment, and professional standards.
When you hire a Photographer accredited by the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) https://www.ppoc.ca/, you can feel confident you're working with someone who has real training, technical skill, and a proven ability to deliver results that won’t need a dozen filters to look good. Accredited photographers have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to consistently create high-quality images in their area of expertise. To become accredited, a photographer must submit a set of 10 images in one (or more) of the 79 recognized photographic specialties. That portfolio is then judged - not by their mom or best friend - but by a trained panel of certified PPOC judges who know exactly what to look for. For example, the exact requirements for earning an Equine Accreditation are:
Equine Portrait: Ten (10) images of ten (10) different horses in ten (10) different situations on ten (10) different occasions. Photos may range from including the entire animal in the frame to headshots or abstract images of a body part. A horse portrait may include more than one animal. Photos should depict horses in both the outdoors and inside a barn, stable, corral or other building.
Once successfully completed, the photographer has proven professional ability to deliver above average quality and variety in a chosen category. Look for the ACCREDITED logo when deciding to hire a professional for your photographic needs - because it stands for trusted quality and consistent excellence.
Your Portraits Deserve the Best
Whether it’s an outdoor family portrait, a black background equine session, or a studio canine portrait, these aren’t just photos - they’re part of your story. Hiring a professional ensures your memories are captured with heart, skill, and the kind of polish that makes you say, “Wow, that’s us!” Snapshots are fine for everyday moments. But when it really matters? Choose portraits that reflect connection, beauty, and lasting value. Choose a professional photographer.
Ready to create something timeless together? 📸
Let’s chat! I would love to hear from you! CONTACT
Gundi Manteufel-Grajciar of Pictured by GMG is a professional photographer based in Grunthal, Manitoba, specializing in equine and canine portraiture. With a deep love for animals - especially horses and dogs - she creates images that highlight their beauty, personality, and the special bond they share with their humans.
Gundi is an accredited member of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC)
holding five accreditations to date (2025), including Equine and Canine Portrait, and has earned the Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) designation. She brings both technical expertise and heartfelt storytelling to every session. Her work has been recognized at regional and national image competitions, published in a magazine as well as in a book, and as a PPOC Certified Judge, she is committed to excellence, education, and ongoing growth in her craft.
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