Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Will-Jundt.
Hi Tanya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my photography journey in 2005, exploring various genres before ultimately deciding to specialize in pet photography. This choice felt natural to me, as I have always lived with pets and have spent 25 years working in the veterinary field. I started studying photography part-time in 2004 while working full-time at a veterinary practice. I remember being given a portrait assignment and asking the instructor if I could use my dog as the subject, but I was told no. I was disappointed, and not long after, I began taking portraits of clients’ pets to display on the lobby wall at the veterinary hospital where I worked. Soon, I started getting hired by clients.
For many years, I considered my photography a hobby that occasionally earned me some income. The thought of leaving the veterinary world and giving up a steady paycheck wasn’t an option for me. Fast forward to 2025: I am now a stay-at-home mom to a 4-year-old, and I want to contribute to my family while reclaiming a little bit of my identity. So, I’m diving in with both feet!
I now focus solely on my photography, specializing in pets, and little ones. I had always enjoyed the times I was hired to do a child’s session, I just didn’t have a lot of access to little ones, but now I do! I aim to offer a unique and personable experience for my clients that results in tangible art they can cherish for generations. While I appreciate technology and the ability to share our photos online with loved ones, I truly believe we are losing sight of the purpose of hiring a professional photographer: to create something we can be proud to display in our homes, not just a quick post.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although pet photography has significantly advanced, it still lacks widespread recognition outside of metropolitan areas. Currently, my challenge is starting over on the opposite side of the country and helping clients understand the importance of having more artwork and fewer digital images!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There’s something about pets and children that I absolutely love; they bring genuine and pure joy. Unlike adults, who often focus on their flaws, we embrace the imperfections of children and pets. I believe that photographing them requires a great deal of patience, which is why it’s not a task suited for most photographers. Honestly, I could photograph them for hours! It’s so much fun to capture their personalities and see that reflected in prints. The most satisfying part of photography for me is seeing the finished printed piece.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I lost my mother when I was a young child, and my father passed away in my thirties. After my mom’s passing, my dad and I lived with my grandparents, who played a significant role in raising me. Photographs are all I have left of them—not digital files, but actual photo albums and boxes filled with prints and negatives. I possess one small professional photograph of my mom, dad, and me taken when I was very young. However, I don’t have any professional photos of my grandparents and me together. In fact, I don’t even have snapshots of all three of us—grandma, grandpa, and me—together. While I am grateful for the photos I do have, I wish there were more. That’s why, in this world of “shoot and share” photographers, I want to offer something different: tangible photos that can be cherished and passed down through generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tanyawillphoto.com
