“My intention is for the portraits to
capture love, joy, and celebrate life.”

Lori A. Cheung established thePetPhotographer.com and thePortraitPhotographer.com when her family and friends encouraged her to follow her passion. Her mission is to create inspiring art and to help make this a better world by contributing to her community.

As a pet photographer, Lori views it as an honor to capture the boundless love and spirit of her clients’ dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, guinea pigs, mice, geckos, turtles, tortoises, fish, and boa constrictors. An everyday moment may transform into an extraordinary one when viewed through Lori’s “third eye,” her camera lens. Lori’s approach is candid, playful and energetic. Her vision and intuition creates portraits that illuminate the soul, capturing the magic and inner sparkle of each subject.

Lori’s portraits have been published by Chronicle Books (Cats 24/7: Extraordinary Photographs of Wonderful Cats), Maui Media (How to Meditate with Your Dog), Rawson Associates (One Step at a Time: My 18-Month Walk Across America), Time Warner Books (Somebody’s Someone), and Simon & Schuster (ChiRunning and ChiWalking). Her work is featured in the bestselling book, Cats 24/7: Extraordinary Photographs of Wonderful Cats by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen. Top editors selected Lori’s portrait of kittens awaiting adoption at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society from over 100,000 photos submitted. Lori's photographs will be aired on the Discovery Channel's TV show Animal Planet in 2006. Lori was invited by the legendary department store, Gump’s, to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dog. Lori is a member of the Professional Photographers of America.

Lori is living her creative dream by supporting animal welfare and humanitarian causes. She is deeply committed to numerous non-profit organizations. Lori volunteers on the Development Committee for the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society and is a Board Member of the Esther Collins Memorial Children’s Foundation for Literacy.

Lori’s muse is her puppy Flash, a chiweenie (chihuahua-dachshund). He is 5 pounds, 7 ounces of pure joy and his whole body wags with exuberance. Flash has been appointed Chief of PUPlick Affairs. His favorite duty is to fetch and deliver donations to animal welfare groups and other phenomenal non-profit organizations.

Lori’s passion as an animal photographer began at 10 years old while being inspired by her dad, who is a retired photographer. Her childhood pets, Mitzi, Mini-Poo, Mimi, and Muffin (a terrier and three poodles) had a profound impact on her life. She also delighted in Jeepers and Tiki (parakeet and cockatiel), Dinky (turtle), a bowl of guppies, goldfish won with a ping-pong ball, tiny crabs from San Francisco Bay, and planaria (aquatic worms) she rescued from her scientific experiments in elementary school and at U.C. Berkeley.

Lori specializes in fun portrait sessions at beaches, parks, client's homes, and other inspiring locations. She also photographs at pet boutiques and at fundraising events. Lori has built a substantial following in the San Francisco Bay Area and has traveled beyond California for assignments.

With deepest gratitude and love to my inspiring family, friends, clients, and their animal companions. No words express how much I love you. Thank you to my tai chi teacher, Master Zhong Mei, from whom I have learned that it is possible to photograph three frisky Persian cats, two energetic sheepdogs, a Yorkie, two cockatiels, and their mom and dad for their annual holiday card.

Wishing you love and wags!
Lori + Flash

P.S. The answer is Yes. Sake, the portrait of the Maltese gracing the home page of this website is natural and not retouched. “Mother Nature is my backdrop…a sunny day with magic in the clouds.” The portrait is entitled, Unleash Yourself!