“Animals breathe grace into our Lives.
They connect us to our Spirits.
I invite the invisible to become visible in my art.”
— Lori A. Cheung
Lori’s work appears in O, The Oprah Magazine!
Award-winning, Celebrity Pet Photographer Lori A. Cheung's portraits are featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, on Animal Planet, and she is Google's #1 Pet Photographer. She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and travels internationally for photo shoots.
Lori's dynamic and passionate images capture the spirit of animals and their humans. Her intention is to inspire love and joy in our world. Lori's style illuminates the essence, passion, and brilliance of her subjects.
Lori's clients include winners of the Olympic Games, Academy Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award. She's been published by the NY Times, and books by Chronicle Books, Time Warner Books, and other international books in Europe and Asia.
Lori was voted as a Finalist for Best Photographer by readers of The East Bay Express magazine. She was voted as a Finalist for Best Pet Photographer by readers of the Bay Woof magazine.
She was a Finalist in the World Wildlife Fund's international photo contest. Her portrait of multi-cultural children watering their school garden was selected by judges out of 10,000 photos.
Lori was honored to win the global Community Service Award on International Women's Day.
She won the Heart and Soul Award for extraordinary volunteerism by PAWS.
Lori is a Celebrity Judge for The Humane Society International and The United States Humane Society's Photo Contest to raise funds for Spay and Neuter Day.
Lori was appointed the Ambassador for Pets for the World Peace One Foundation. The World Peace One Foundation is managed by the producers of global superconcert telethons, such as Live Aid, Farm Aid, and Comedy Reliefs.
Her muse and mascot, Flash, the chiweenie (chihuahua-dachshund) created a non-profit, Pets For World Peace to support other inspiring non-profits. It is an international community that promotes connection, compassion, and giving in our world. Pets for World Peace also provides pro-bono photography, art direction, creativity, and publicity to non-profits who help animals, people and our environment.
Yes! Lori loves photographing people too. Lori had the honor of photographing the Gandhi Tour at the Sundance Film Festival. She has photographed many, including Dr. Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, John Assaraf, Lisa Nichols, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Tim Ferriss, United Nations Ambassador Byron Blake, philanthropists Ted Turner and Vanessa Getty, and others.
Lori's Winning Style is Legendary
Lori's style is candid, playful, and exuberant. An everyday moment transforms into an extraordinary one when viewed through Lori’s “third eye” -- her camera lens. Using intention and intuition, Lori’s portraits illuminate souls, capture magic, and reveal inner sparkle.
Her unique ability to both expand and contract time to capture the defining moment is legendary. Lori's photography celebrates animals and people by capturing their beauty and wonder. She creates art from her heart.
She specializes in fun portrait sessions at beaches, parks, homes, vineyards, yachts, country estates, iconic landmarks, and other inspiring locations. Lori travels internationally for photo shoots. Lori recently photographed animals rescued by the Maui Humane Society in Hawaii, the Royal SPCA in London, and in Mexico.
Unleashed!
thePetPhotographer.com™ was created in 2001 after Lori tuned into the Oprah show after a day working in a skyscraper at an environmental consulting firm. Oprah asked: “What is your passion?” Days passed...while dining with family, she declared, “I want to be a pet photographer.“ Her sister beamed at her with confidence and said, "Do it." She began volunteering at animal shelters and her business took off.
Family Legacy
Photography -- it's in her DNA. Lori’s passion for photography began at 10 years old when her dad let her play with his camera equipment. She loved the sound his used flash bulbs made while warm in her hands. The legacy she shares with her dad, a retired pro photographer for the US Navy and cousins who are pro photographers, inspired her to continue the family tradition.
Animal Lover
Lori’s childhood was inspired by her family, including:
- Mitzi, the terrier mix
- Mini-Poo, Mimi, and Muffin, the poodle mixes
- Jeepers, the parakeet
- Tiki, the cockatiel
- Dinky, the turtle
- Guppies
- Goldie, the goldfish (won with a ping-pong ball falling into the goldfish bowl at the fair)
- Tiny crabs from San Francisco Bay
- Planaria (aquatic worms) she rescued from her scientific experiments in 5th grade
Flash, the chiweenie
Lori's muse is Flash, the chiweenie (chihuahua-dachshund). He is 6 lbs. 8 oz., about the weight of a small bag of kibble.
Flash was also appointed Chief of PUPlick Affairs, and his favorite duty is to fetch and deliver donations to nonprofits that help animals. He ordained himself the CEO of thePetPhotographer.com, the Chief Exuberance Officer.
Flash believes he is a Great Dane, and he proudly struts on w.a.l.k.s even though the cats tower over him. Flash loves sunset because the shadow he casts makes him look extra tall.
Pay it Forward
Lori keeps Oprah's inquiry alive, "What is your passion?"
Lori's on a mission to inspire others to follow their spirit's calling. She mentors in the US, Mexico, London, Peru, and other locations.
For over 30 years (that’s 210 dog years!) Lori has photographed for nonprofits that contribute to animals, education, humanitarian, and environmental causes.
You’ll find Lori art directing and photographing media campaigns for major gala fundraisers including the Humane Society’s “Mozart for Mutts and Meows,” the SPCA’s “Bark and Whine Ball,” PAWS’ “Petchitecture,” and the W Hotel’s “Yappy Hour” cocktail fundraisers.
Click, Click, Click
Lori’s portraits are aired on:
- Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet
Published in the stylish game:
- DogSmarts™ (Chronicle Books)
Featured in books and magazines including:
- The Oprah Magazine (Hearst Magazines)
- Cats 24/7: Extraordinary Photographs of Wonderful Cats (Chronicle Books)
- Promise of the Wolves (Simon & Schuster)
- Puppy Power (The Veterinary Blonde)
- Tails of Devotion (Emily Scott Pottruck)
- How to Meditate with Your Dog (Maui Media)
- Yiddish for Dog and Cat Lovers (Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe)
- The Creative Entrepreneur (Quarry Books)
- One Step at a Time: My 18-month Walk Across America (Rawson Associates)
- ChiRunning (Simon & Schuster)
- ChiWalking (Simon & Schuster)
- Somebody’s Someone (Time Warner Books)
- My Answer is No...If That's Okay with You (Simon & Schuster)
- BARK Magazine (The Bark, Inc.)
- Modern Dog (Modern Dog, Inc.)
- Pet Style News (BowTie, Inc.)
- WAG (Venus Zine)
- Dwell Magazine (Dwell, LLC)
- 7x7 Magazine (Hartle Media)
- San Francisco Magazine (Modern Luxury)
- Oakland Magazine (Alameda Publishing Group)
- Fetch The Paper (Mara Publishing, LLC)
- Bay Woof Magazine (Bay Woof)
- The Woofer Times (The Woofer Times)
- The New York Times
- San Francisco Chronicle
Lori is also an Environmental Consultant, with 25 years' professional experience and a certified Spirit Coach. She graduated from UC Berkeley with Honors, in Environmental Sciences and a Biology emphasis.
As a certified Spirit Coach, she guides clients to align with their life's purpose and passion. She also facilitates
retreats in Hawaii and other places to unleash creativity and to live vibrantly.
Fetch Lori & Flash
Lori and Flash invite you to contact them to capture the spirit of your animal and family.
Prowling for the PURRfect gift? Surprise your friends with art from your heart -- order gift certificates today!
Please call 510.559.8119 or email us.
Wishing you love, joy & wags!
Lori & Flash the chiweenie, chihuahua-dachshund
Jul 22, 2009 11:47 AM