Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Elting.
Hi Trish, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a professional photographer best known for my portraits of dogs, though I also photograph people and businesses. Before becoming a photographer, I owned my own grooming business. What I loved most about grooming was all the snuggles from the dogs and making them look and feel their best. I loved the creativity and connection with both pets and their people. Unfortunately, I had to stop grooming because of repetitive stress injury which led me to yoga.
I became a certified yoga therapist, helping others feel better in their bodies. As my business grew, I realized how essential great photography is for marketing and how intimidating it can feel for many people. A lot of people don’t love having their photo taken, and finding the right photographer can feel overwhelming. I partnered with a local photographer to host events for women business owners. We created a fun, supportive environment where women could connect, gain confidence, and walk away with beautiful photos for their businesses. Seeing how photography could transform how people see themselves was incredibly inspiring.
That experience sparked my own passion for photography. I bought a camera and started photographing dogs, coming full circle, back to my creative roots. Now, I get to combine everything I love most: connecting with people, celebrating the bond between humans and their dogs, and creating powerful, meaningful portraits. I still get all the snuggles, and I still get to help my subjects look their best.
The common thread in my work throughout the years has always been the same: a love for helping others and creating something beautiful that makes people feel good.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every challenge has shaped who I am and how I work today. When I first started in photography, I struggled with the technical side of things. I loved the process and was proud of my early portraits, but I wanted to take my work to a higher level. So, I found a mentor – a fine art and fashion photographer based in Europe – and began learning everything I could. That experience transformed my work and helped me develop the signature, magazine-inspired style I’m known for today.
Of course, 2020 was a difficult year for many but I had an additional challenge to deal with on top of a pandemic: early that year, my husband suffered a severe brain injury that required years of rehabilitation and support. His recovery became our family’s main focus, and developing my photography business full-time had to be put on hold for a while.
I knew I wanted to build a business I truly loved, one that supported my creativity while also supporting my life and family. Today, my photography business allows me to pour my heart into creating art for others while still being present for my husband. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re still here, and I’m grateful for every day that I get to do this work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business, Trish Elting Studio has grown into a full-service photography studio that celebrates both people and their pets.
While I’m best known for my signature dog photography, my work also includes personal branding, headshots, and fine-art portraits. I would define my style as classic, elegant, expressive and, above all, magazine-worthy.
One of the things that truly sets my work apart is my dedication to the finished piece. I received specialized training in printing and wall art design, and my favorite part of the process is transforming a client’s favorite image into a stunning piece of artwork. Transforming a digital file into a real piece of fine art that will last hundreds of years, and that you can hang, see, and experience in real life every day in your home is a skill I am proud to have mastered.
I also love collaborating with business owners to create strong, visually cohesive branding images that help them connect authentically with their audience. And one of my greatest joys is working with women – helping them rediscover their confidence and see their own beauty through portraits that celebrate who they are right now, in this season of life.
At its heart, Trish Elting Studio is about connection – between people, their pets, and themselves – and creating art that makes them feel proud, seen, and inspired.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Book a portrait session with me! I offer custom, collaborative portrait experiences for dogs, people, and business owners. You can see my work and book a session on my website trishelting.com .
If you have dog that is special to you, or if you own a dog-related business, you can apply to be featured in The Dogs of KC Magazine, launching in 2026! [Apply here ➜ (https://trishelting.com/the-dogs-of-kc/]
If you just want to see beautiful pictures of dogs and their owners, follow me on social media for my latest work, behind-the-scenes moments, and current projects. Every like, comment, and share helps my work reach more people and supports the creative projects I love.
Special Projects:
– Annual Calendar for a dog breeder in Idaho
– Coffee Table Book – For the Love of Dog, featuring portraits and stories of dogs and their humans who are leaving the world a better place. Proceeds from book sales (October–March) benefit the KC Pet Project, helping pets in need. [Learn more ➜ https://trishelting.com/dog-3-2/]
If you’d like to collaborate on something similar for your organization, let’s talk! I’m always open to meaningful creative partnerships that make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TrishElting.com
- Instagram: @trisheltingphotographer https://www.instagram.com/trisheltingphotographer
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/trishelting
Image Credits
Trish Elting Photographer
