My Mutt Photographers

Gil Goldstein (East Bay)

The idea of being a professional photographer came about quite accidentally really. About 7 years ago I got a little camera as a gift and set out to shoot everything in sight. I never thought much of the pictures I took, but friends did and encouraged me to do more. Someone had suggested that I set out to make this my profession and so I scraped together some money (with a little help from some friends) and bought a higher quality camera and set out to start my business.

My first and most long lasting job was with Pet Food Express working with the My Mutt Program. I had heard about the wonderful things they were doing for the community and definitely wanted to join! From there I branched out, taking my photography into other realms such as photojournalism and private/public events. The other projects and jobs have been fun, but it always comes back to pets being my number one joy and inspiration as a photographer. Gil Goldstein can be reached at (510) 302-9064. His work can be seen on http://www.flickr.com/photos/gillivan/.

 Mark Rogers (San Francisco, Peninsula, North Bay)

I've been photographing animals since I could hold a camera. In fact, the very first picture I ever printed was a shot I took when I was 11 of my black cat sitting in a patch of hot pink azalea bushes. What began as a lifelong hobby turned into a full-time career as a professional pet photographer 5 years ago when I decided I much preferred spending my work day playing on the ground with cats, dogs and bunnies than sitting in an office in front of a computer. Since then, I've worked with many private and commercial clients, appeared in many magazines and books and have been named Best Bay Area Pet Photographer every year in SFGate since 2008.

My style is very contemporary and candid with a focus on capturing animals’ individuality and uniqueness with a few dashes of humor and action thrown in for good measure. I prefer working on location at places like beaches, parks and homes where pets feel comfortable and can act like themselves.

Working with pets on a daily basis also allows me to indulge my other passion: helping animal welfare and rescue groups. In addition to photographing My Mutt posters for Pet Food Express which supports such groups all over Northern California, I also serve on the board of Give A Dog A Bone and the advisory board of VETSOS .

If you'd like to see more of my work or are interested in having your pet photographed please stop by Mark Rogers Photography or give me a call at (415) 378-8602.

Nikki Weidner (South Bay, Peninsula)

A lifelong animal lover and pet parent, some years ago I left the corporate world to follow my passion and launched a pet care service. As part of this new direction, I started photographing pets – clients’ and my own - as a hobby. I received so much personal gratification and positive 

feedback that I chose to pursue photography as a profession. Now, my photography continues rewarding me through wonderful opportunities to meet so many lovable animals and their interesting humans.

Pet Food Express' My Mutt program is a perfect fit with the many animal welfare causes I support. I am a proud member of HeARTs Speak, an international group of photographers who donate their time and talent to help save homeless animals through professional portraiture. Additionally, I participate annually in the Smile For A Cure campaign, through which photographers donate their session fees to raise funds for the fight against canine cancer. I also do fundraising photography for rescue groups, such as the Pets With Santa photo shoot held each year at the Redwood City Pet Food Express, benefiting Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue.

For more information about me, or to schedule a photo shoot, please visit my website, NikRaye Photography, or my pet photography blog, TailSnaps, or call me at 408.394.7206.

Pam Harvey-Merrill (Contra Costa County, Napa)

"Photography has always been my passion. From the time I was a youngster, I always had a camera in my pocket."

I was fortunate enough to work on the water front for an ocean carrier (sorry, in the office) for 35 1/2 years. During that time, I was given free rein to take photos any time, any where as long as I was on my lunch hour or coffee break. With permission from the captain of the vessels, I was allowed go aboard whenever they were in port. One time, I even talked my way onto one of the tug boats that was assigned to assist one of our vessels that was getting ready to depart. The other tug was backing up, "posed" under the humongous bow of the vessel, the sun was setting and the sky line of San Francisco was in the back ground. What a shot!!!

And then, 9-11 happened and I was no longer allowed to do what I loved to do. Someone mentioned the word "security risk".

Good news... a short time later, I "graduated" (some people say "retired") from my job with the ocean carrier. Next thing you know someone mentioned to me that Pet Food Express just happened to be looking for another photographer. It has been about 5+ years now of getting to do what I love to do and I could not be happier. I've yet to meet a dog or cat that has complained that the photo made them look fat.

Scott Broecker (Carmel)

Scott Broecker is a lifelong dog lover who combines his artistic style with his photography skills to capture the essence of the dogs he photographs. As photographer, writer, and co-owner of Coastal Canine magazine Scott’s life has totally gone to the dogs, and of course, that’s a good thing. Scott has also been the My Mutt photographer for the Carmel Pet Food Express store since it’s opening in June 2009.

Scott and his wife, Carie, share their home with 3 cats and 3 dogs. Both have been active vlounteers in animal rescue work since 1999. His work with dogs was inspired by their 16 year old Shepard Mix, Sunshine, who passed away in July 2010 and was the epitome of joy and love and all things dog. Scott's work can be viewed at www.scottbroecker.com, www.bytheseapetphotos.com, and www.coastalcaninemag.com. He can be reached at 831-277-9539.