Rising Stars: Meet Claudine Kosier of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudine Kosier.

Hi Claudine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Simply Dog Photography after my heart dog, Tango became sick with a very aggressive cancer. I had always wanted to be a photographer, since high school, I just chose a different path. When he became sick, the first thing I thought was, I needed to find a photographer. We found the perfect photographer to capture beautiful images of him. I wish I had not waited until he had gotten sick to have a session with him. But watching her work in her beautiful studio with dogs had me wondering what my life would have been like had I chosen that route. They had given him 2 weeks to live, I was lucky enough to get 3. When he passed, and as a way to work thru the grief and heal, I went back to photography, now learning digital photography which I was completely intimidated by. My newly adopted dogs became my greatest models. 3 years later I attended a pet photography workshop in dallas and started my business just a month after returning home.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been everything but a smooth road. I was learning photography, how to work with dogs, how to manage a business, learn photoshop, lightroom and so much more, all while still trying to work a full time job. Just all the components of starting a business with absolutely no knowledge was entirely overwhelming. I wanted to quit every single day and my very supportive husband and mom encouraged me to not give up. Keep fighting for what I love and I did. Since starting my business, I’ve relocated to Ohio, now have my dream studio just minutes from where I live, still photograph dogs and create beautiful artwork and album for clients, and volunteer photographing dogs in need of homes. I am so lucky to have created my dream business and it’s hard to think I almost gave it all up.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I photograph dogs the way their people actually see them, full personality, no posing and no commands. My clients usually come to me because something shifted; a grey muzzle, a slower walk, a quiet moment where they thought, “I want to remember this”. I photograph dogs on location, and create a full experience for my clients to capture amazing memories of their dogs, in real moments. We plan their session together, find the perfect location and it’s all intentional so they get images they love. Then we turn those images into fine art albums and wall art worth hanging. I’ve been photographing dogs in Columbus for fourteen years and still love every minute!

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
You have to take risks if you want to keep learning, growing and moving forward. My biggest risk was I left my job to pursue this (before I was ready and before I had a plan). While I don’t recommend that, had I waited and / or learned all that was involved in running a business, I would still be on the side line wondering if I should take the risk. I jumped and had to figure it out afterwards, but at least I jumped. I’ve been in business 16 years and I would have never guessed how far my business has taken me, the incredible people and families I’ve been able to work with, how much I’ve learned and the freedom I have. I am incredibly grateful for the business I have created.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplydogphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplydogphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplydogphotography