Kayleigh Coffman - Member Spotlight
Jul 15, 2025
I'm a Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia photographer, specializing in dog photography.
I specialize in family photography as well as dog photography, including dog End-of-Life Sessions. My goal is to provide candid but vibrant photography that showcases your dog and family in beautiful light.
Tell us a bit about you?
I run my photography business as well as raising my 2.5 yr old with my husband and 19/21 yr old stepkids. I LOVE to travel and always want to be out experiencing new things. Fine dining is a huge love of mine, hubby and I try and go out to eat at least once a week. I only have 1 bulldog and 2 cats right now, but have always had a large amount of animals, including exotics like hedgehogs or lizards.
Why did you start photographing pets?
I have always loved and been surrounded by as many animals as I could get my hands on, so once I took up photography, it was only natural for me to focus on dogs. I taught myself how to shoot by volunteering at the SPCA taking photos of their animals up for adoption. From then on, no matter what type of photography I learn or delve into, I always come back to dogs. It is where my heart and passion lie. I love the chaos I always see, and it is so important to me to document the connection owners have with their dogs.
What camera and lenses do you most often use?
I have a Nikon Z6ii right now with the Z24-70. I am working on getting the Z74-200 as soon as I can manage it!
What’s one thing in your camera bag you can’t live without?
My lens wipes! I've had so very many nose boops and kisses on my lens, it would be a very bad day if I didn't bring it!
What’s the best thing about being a pet photographer?
I love being able to give clients art that focuses on their love and connection with their dog. We have such a deep and special bond with these animals, for such a short time. It is so important to me to be able to capture this bond and who each dog is, so their parents get to keep them forever.
How would you describe your style?
I have a fairly dark style, but it isn't necessarily moody, it's fairly vibrant. For a long time I focused a lot on dramatic skies and big sun flares, but I've been working on getting away from that part and focusing more on technical skills without depending on distracting elements.
What is your proudest achievement as a pet photographer?
Honestly, probably being in top 20 for the free challenge. I always wondered if I was good enough to even try something like Embark, as I've been watching Unleashed/Embark for a few years. I've been published in the small photo magazines quite a few times, but those feel like if you have any skill at all, it's not hard to do. I am proud every year that my skill gets better and better, and that I am consistently getting more clients and income every year. Mostly, I think I'm proud that I finally found my THING. My skill, my passion, my drive. I went a very long time not having anything to anchor me, and finding photography gave me that. I have been through massive mental health issues, and finding photography has helped bring me off the cliff and helped me get healthy and stable for the first time in my adult life.
What are your photography goals for the future?
I want to expand my business, maybe doubling last year's income. Someday I'd love to be able to only shoot sessions and have an outside editor or even maybe a dedicated associate shooter for me. I don't have a timeline, but a goal I have eventually is to have an IPPA/PPA/VPPA awarded photo of some kind. I'm not necessarily working towards my master's through them, but having a merited image would be amazing too.
What do you do to cultivate and nurture your creativity?
I am a part of the Tilly Project. End of life photography is a huge passion of mine. I lost my heart dog in 2023, and since then it has been SUCH a passion of mine to meet and photograph as many of these sessions as I can.
What specific skills have improved since being an Unleashed Education member?
I haven't had a ton of time to look at as much of the education modules as I should honestly. I only have around 9 hrs a week to do all my back end work as well as editing etc, so I struggle to find time to work through the modules. I'm hoping having a dedicated schedule with Embark will get me to carve out some time to get into it. I mostly have learned and taught myself by trial and error, so I'm a bit slower on learning than I'd like.
What's your favourite thing about being an Unleashed Education member?
I'm not quite sure yet. It's only been a few months, and like I said I haven't taken advantage of much. I do love that there is a sense of community. It's been great to see Criag/Charlotte/Fiona all talking to us and interacting. I was SO excited when you guys shared one of my images etc. It's hard to explain, but it is really special when some of the best dog photographers in the world take their time to connect one on one with people and encourage/teach them.
Have you ever had something funny happen during a shoot?
I am a TERRIBLE storyteller, but MAN have I had some really dumb moments and foot-in-mouth things happen to me. Basically daily. I'm an awkward doofus, so I just try and lean into it at this point.
Just Breathe
Sable on Guard
BUBBLES!!
Goodbye Zoey
New baby brother
Final Snuggles
TenSoon Smiles
Dogpile!
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