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Pet Photography seems easy, but to capture a pet’s true personality is an art. Just ask Femke Tewari of Femke Tewari Photo Art.
We were fortunate enough to spend the day with Femke when she photographed some of our client’s pets to be used on Miami Pet Concierge’s website, marketing materials, social media and more.
After the shoot, we had the chance to sit down and get to know her on a more personal level.
Where are you from and how did you end up in Miami?
I was born in The Hague, The Netherlands and have always been a free spirit. Restless as a child, I channeled that energy into travel. I have lived all over the world including Holland, France, Singapore, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Greenwich, CT, and now Miami. My husband’s work brought us to Miami and the entire family loves it here, it seems we are here to stay!
Tell us about your family.
After a yearlong, solo, backpack trip around the world, I ended up in India, where I met my husband, Anil, from Nepal. We had our first daughter in Singapore and adopted our second from Malaysia. We completed our rainbow family when we moved to Miami and adopted both Murfy and Sadie, 2 rescue dogs from Broward Humane.
What is one of your first memories of taking photos?
My dad was always a passionate photographer. When I was little, he turned our bathroom into a dark room. I’d watch him put that nice old-fashioned thick photo paper in the developing liquid and slowly see it turn into a photo. What a feeling! He gave me my first camera when I was about 13. He always taught me to never ask people to pose, but to be a fly on the wall and capture people while they’re just being themselves. I still apply that during my shoots, albeit in a more guided way. At a shoot, there’s no awkward posing. I direct and ask people and dogs to do things – it’s usually a lot of fun. My first subject at 13 was our dog Bart, a naughty Beagle.
I realized that photography was a passion and that I wanted to explore professionally when my daughters were born. I would photograph them a lot. After trying to convince a friend to become a professional photographer, I realized I could do it too. I’ve never looked back!
What do you love most about being a photographer?
The thought that I get to create something for clients that they want to keep forever still makes me feel soft and fuzzy inside. Most people spend a lot more on clothes, bags, jewelry, etc., but it’s the photographs that they value most. If you’re told you need to leave your home and you can only take one thing with you, you would probably choose a box or album of photos. Because they’re your memories. I create images that belong on a wall, not just on a phone or computer. What feels best about my photo art is making my clients happy and knowing that they will enjoy the photographs on their walls every day. My most popular products are large metal prints, which are photos printed on a thin sheet of aluminum. They’re not framed, look really sleek and last forever.
What do you love to do in your spare time?
I love to take long walks with my dogs every day. Most weekends I spend with my family – hanging out at home, cooking Asian food, having friends over. I love the beach, being in the water, on the water, sailing, swimming, and boating. And travel – with the whole family and camera in hand!
Tell us about your Dogs!
We got Murfy, a salt, and pepper Schnauzer/Yorkie mix 4 years ago from a dog rescuer. He suggested we “try him out?” She had told us he was young, maybe four years old. The first day he kept bumping into things. At night he crawled onto my lap while I was having my evening tea. I melted inside. The vet told us he was about 8 years old and almost completely blind. There was no way he was going back. We had fallen madly in love with him. When I carry Murfy, he wraps his fluffy arms around my neck. When I massage his ears, he purrs like a cat. He sneezes when he gets excited.⠀He hardly ever bumps into things anymore. And if you’re ever facing the question of whether to adopt a blind dog, I’d totally say yes!!!
Sadie is a Schnauzer mix, found next to a highway as a puppy. She was afraid of everything, especially my husband. Now she’s much better. Anil talks to her in a woman’s voice and she likes that! She is my bestie, follows me everywhere.
My whole family complains that I pay more attention to my dogs than to them and they’re probably right.
How did you start photographing pets?
I created my first dog portfolio by just lying down on a beach and photographing all the dogs I saw. The photos came out so nice that I decided that I needed to do more. I just love dogs so much – each one has their own little quirks, and if I can capture that, I’m happy.
Femke Tewari is a local Photographer in Miami, Florida. Her work has appeared in publications like Belia Grace Magazine, The Scout Miami, Ocean Drive Magazine, Modern Luxury Weddings, and Top Shop On-Line.
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Nicole founded Miami Pet Concierge in May 2007 with a mission to provide Miami, Florida’s pet parents with personalized pet care plans based on their pets’ species, age, breed, health, and lifestyle – All while keeping their pets “happy at home.” In addition, offering pet care education to all pet owners to help them become great pet parents.
