Kimberly Yanick - Member Spotlight
Feb 02, 2026
Hey everyone - I’m Kim, a Vancouver Island photographer specializing in pet and people portraits through Kim Yanick Portraits. My work centers on connection, subtle emotion, and creating finished artwork - not just digital files. I run a boutique, wall-art-focused studio and am deeply interested in elevating client experience, refining process, and building a photography business that supports both creativity and longevity. Always learning, always evolving.
Tell us a bit about you?
I balance a part-time photography practice with a full-time career in cybersecurity. I studied photography, worked in medical imaging, then took a detour through finance before picking the camera back up in 2009. By 2019, I fully leaned into dog photography- because honestly, those faces win every time. I have a pup named Dutchess 'Honey' Bear and a bunny named Princess Beatrice Bun Bun... Always happy to connect, share, and geek out about pet photography with fellow pros.
Why did you start photographing pets?
Pets came first, always. My first was a dog named Snoopy when I was about five, followed by a steady rotation of pocket pets and the occasional stint as nurse to injured wildlife. Animals have always been grounding for me - they bring a kind of presence and honesty that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Zeke was my first dog after moving out on my own, and Floyd, my Great Dane, ultimately nudged me toward specializing in dog photography. Now there’s Honey - my constant sidekick and, ironically, my most elusive subject. If you’re a pet photographer, you’ll understand: somehow our own animals are the hardest to photograph.
What camera and lenses do you most often use?
I started out shooting Nikon, but Canon eventually won me over - and I’ve been there ever since. I currently run three bodies, with the 5D Mark III and a Canon mirrorless R6 as my go-to workhorses. My longtime favourite lens is the 70–200mm f/2.8 - it’s what I started with in this genre, and if I had to choose just one lens, that would be it, hands down. Lately, though, I’m beginning a love affair with a 14mm prime. It’s early days, but I’m excited to see where that shift takes my work.
What’s one thing in your camera bag you can’t live without?
Tough one - but I’m going to cheat and pick two.
First: patience. It doesn’t technically live in my camera bag, but it might be the most important thing I bring to every session. Dogs have opinions. Parents get anxious when their pup isn’t “performing” (very much like kids). My job is to slow the room down, keep my energy calm, and let things unfold instead of forcing the shot. The best moments usually show up once everyone relaxes - including the human.
Second - and truly non-negotiable - ibuprofen. Between heavy gear (looking at you, 70–200), questionable posture, and the constant cycle of squatting, kneeling, lying on the ground, popping back up, and attempting what can only be described as feral yoga… my body needs backup. I love my gear. My joints do not. Ibuprofen is how we compromise.
What’s the best thing about being a pet photographer?
For me, it’s the service side that really lights me up. I genuinely love creating an experience where people feel informed, supported, and completely at ease - so they can stop worrying about the process and just enjoy what’s unfolding. When clients feel taken care of, the work gets better. Full stop.
Of course, I love the click of the shutter and the dogs (obviously), but it goes deeper than that. Running a photography business has a funny way of becoming the therapy we didn’t know we needed. Working with people, animals, gear, systems, and expectations forces growth - personally and professionally. It teaches patience, presence, boundaries, and a lot about ourselves. A little woo? Maybe. But I’ve learned to trust it.
How would you describe your style?
Oh, fun fact: I actually asked ChatGPT about this, and it turns out my style leans toward a *classic yet timeless vibe with a touch of luxury.* I like to think my work captures authentic connections and emotions in a way that feels rich and meaningful but still natural and effortless. I’d say my style is more about mood and depth than being “dark and moody” or “light and airy” - it’s all about those moments that just feel *right,* like they belong on your wall forever.
Then I went one step further and asked ChatGPT to roast me - because, hey, why not, right? Apparently, I'm the *“photographer who spends half the session lying on the ground making questionable noises to get a dog’s attention, only to end up with a cramp and a perfect shot of the dog's... tail.”* And, yes, it’s probably true. π
So, if I had to sum up my style? A timeless look that’s worth the bruises and ibuprofen - because that perfect shot is always *just* one more squeaky noise away!
What is your proudest achievement as a pet photographer?
I've been lucky enough to win some awards and receive accreditations within the Professional Photographers of Canada for Canine Portraiture - definitely a highlight! But if I’m honest, my proudest moments are always the ones where I get to photograph older dogs in their final chapter. Those sessions, capturing memories that families will hold onto forever, are incredibly meaningful. There’s just something profoundly rewarding about being trusted with those moments, and that’s what I’m truly proud of as a pet photographer.
What are your photography goals for the future?
Honestly, it’s about keeping things steady and meaningful. Ideally, I’d love to be working with no more than 2-3 clients a month, just enough to keep the creativity flowing without burning out. I’ve also started dabbling in equine photography since late 2023, and I'd love to grow that side of things. I’ve got about five years left before I retire from my other career, so while I’m winding that down, the plan is to build this one up as a full-time “side gig.” Does that count?
What do you do to cultivate and nurture your creativity?
A few years back, I started a personal project to learn one-light strobe techniques, called the *Tattoo Project.* It started out with just people, but then my dog photobombed a session, and that bold move made me realize how cool it would be to blend pets into that concept! So, whenever I can, I love returning to that project.
These days, though, personal projects have slowed down a bit - 2024 has been a whirlwind with downsizing and moving. To keep my creativity alive, I lean on nature, hiking, and connecting with other creatives. I’ll admit, I have a habit of taking on way too much until burnout inevitably kicks in. Balancing is a skill I’m still working on... definitely a pendulum swing kind of person!
What specific skills have improved since being an Unleashed Education member?
Since joining Unleashed Education, one skill that’s really leveled up for me is working with backlight. I took one of Charlotte’s courses a few years ago - wish I could remember the exact name! It was all about mastering backlight in dark forest settings, and it had me swooning. That course completely changed the way I approach backlit shots; it brought a new depth to my work and opened my eyes to the magic of light even in shadowed environments. Definitely a game-changer for me!
What's your favourite thing about being an Unleashed Education member?
My favorite thing about being an Unleashed Education member is the sheer variety and depth of resources available! I only recently became a lifetime member, so I haven’t even scratched the surface of everything offered. So far, I’ve mostly taken courses, but seeing the range - from editing tutorials to interactive live calls and the strong sense of community - it’s all incredibly inspiring. I’m excited to dive in further and explore everything that’s here!
Have you ever had something funny happen during a shoot?
Oh, I’ve go one for you - though, fair warning, it’s not exactly “clean”! So, picture this: I’m out in an open field by a lake in the Canadian fall, setting up for a session. Now, Canadian fields by lakes tend to have Canadian Cobra Chickens - or as most people call them, geese. I was totally focused on the client and the dog, setting up for a low shot, and without even thinking, I got down onto the ground... right into a big ol’ pile of goose poop!
The best part? The dog was immediately obsessed with the smell and spent the rest of the session trying to rub up on me to share the scent. It was quite the adventure, to say the least! I always keep baby wipes on hand now - lesson learned the hard way!
"A Gentle Beginning"
"A Taste of Friendship"
"Unspoken"
"Photo Bomb"
"Act Natural Bro"
A Beautiful Morning
Cariboo Sky
Purple REIGN
Barkus
Tank
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