So, in the spirit of giving an opinion (and I'm pretty good at that); I figured I'd weigh in on the whole image of the child holding the bunny by the ear-fire the photographer-call PETA-yell at the kid's parents-hoopla that's filling up my news feed on Facebook. :)
I had live chicks at my mini sessions. And they were
CUH-YUTE!!!
Just like a child's safety is of the HIGHEST priority when I'm photographing you and your family, the safety of any animals that are used in sessions (including your pet) is always central in my mind. Throwing out blinded accusations that the use of animals "at all" in photo sessions is "cruel" and "inappropriate" is a little... well, absurd.
So, since it's so easy for photographers and others to simply "Share" photos on Facebook and cyber bully the photographer whose actions have shocked them (because that's exactly what's happening), I figured I'd throw out a little something to "Share." :)
Was the photographer wrong? Absolutely!
Should she have been approached and asked to take the image down and suggested appropriate ways to handle live, undomesticated animals on set? Oh, yes!
Should she continually be bashed for making a mistake? No.
Don't we all make mistakes? Well, unless you're immune; I'm guessing that you have at some point in time. I know I have!
I have seen the criticizing of this photographer go from pinpointing the mistreatment of the animal to labeling her a "faux-tographer" (which I have a completely separate issue with. Ask me about it sometime.) Her skill as a photographer and the issue at hand are two completely, separate entities.
With all that being said, here are a few suggestions that I have in mind when planning to host cute little fluffies on set. Cuz' let me tell ya! You get LOTS of darling smiles when you bring those little critters out.
1) Give a notice to the parents! Send out newsletters and announcements prior to your sessions, briefing the parents on the type of animal(s) that you plan to have on set and preparing them so that they can give a heads up to the kiddos.
2) Do your research on the animal! Don't just go out and buy Little Peter Cottontail because he's cute and has a fluffy white tail that makes your heart go pitter-patter. Figure out the appropriate way to house them, research the appropriate diet for your critter and buy all the supplies that you'll need, upfront, to care for your little guy.
3) Figure out the game plan for after your finished loving on your fuzz ball. Are you planning to keep him/her? If not, make safe arrangements for them for after your sessions are complete. My two gals, Mabel and Ethel are their names (cuz' you know you gotta name 'em!) are heading out to a farm in the next couple of days. :)
4) Bring the animals out LAST! Kids are generally hyper at the start of sessions. It's a new scene and there's a lot going on. Throwing in a chick or bunny during the "WOO!! THERE'S A CHAIR MY SIZE!" moment in time is probably not the best decision. Give the kiddos time to adjust and use the animals as an incentive.
5) When you bring out the critters, talk in a gentle voice, both for the critter and for the little ones. Tell the kiddos your animal(s)' name(s), encourage them to gently pet them and allow them time to get used to them. For older children who are comfortable, ask if they'd like to hold the animal on their own. If they're comfortable, coach them on the correct way to hold the animal and sit in close distance until they learn how they feel and react. For smaller children, I suggest applying the "Look! Don't touch" method and simply instructing them that you're going to let the little critters "sit beside them."
6) If you don't have an assistant on set, (like me) make sure parents are right up there with you, so that they can grab the child if it looks as if they might be wanting to "love on" your little animal.
7) Pets are messy. They poop and they pee. That's just life. So, have Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer on set! Be sure to wipe down your set if there are accidents and encourage the little ones to clean their hands with sanitizer after petting the fur balls.
It's pretty simple and basic. But, I figured, rather than fueling the fire, spreading the anger, blazing the torch and running after the poor woman who made a mistake (that I'm sure she's regretting now), I would spread some helpful information that might keep a situation, such as this, from happening again.
Let's just use our heads when it comes to scheduling sessions with animals. And use our hearts when it comes to correcting others.
