About The Dog Photog

A cozy indoor space with green plants, framed dog pictures on the wall, colorful rolled mats, a leather-topped bench, a small black drawer unit, and a table with a lamp, books, and more plants.

The Dog Photog is a portrait studio based in Northeast Minneapolis, dedicated to creating artwork that honors dogs as they actually are — expressive, emotional, imperfect, and deeply loved.

This work isn’t about getting dogs to perform or behave. It’s about paying attention. About noticing the small expressions, the pauses, the personality that shows up when nothing is being asked of them. The result is artwork that doesn’t just resemble your dog, but genuinely feels like them — something you’ll want to live with, not scroll past.

Every portrait is created with intention, patience, and a deep respect for the relationship people share with their dogs.

A woman with short brown hair and tattoos on her arms is sitting cross-legged on the floor, holding a playful white puppy that is licking her face, against a light blue background.

The Artist Behind the Work

I’m Bre McGee — photographer, dog person, and the artist behind The Dog Photog.

I’ve been a photographer for over fifteen years, with my early career rooted in documentary photography. That experience shaped how I see — learning to wait, observe, and notice what’s real rather than forcing a moment. It’s an approach I still use today, just with dogs as my subject.

  • Five years ago, that way of working took on new meaning. When my dog, Fraser, needed heart surgery as a puppy, I organized a one-day portrait fundraiser to help cover the cost. The sessions sold out in a week. What stayed with me wasn’t the turnout — it was what people said afterward. Again and again, they told me the images didn’t just look like their dog. They could feel their dog’s energy, personality, and charm in the photos.

    That moment clarified the work I wanted to be making.

    Today, I create dog portraits using the same documentary approach I’ve relied on for years — patient, intuitive, and relationship-driven. I photograph a limited number of sessions in a cozy, distraction-free studio, giving dogs the space to settle and show up as themselves.

    The result is finished artwork that reflects who your dog truly is, and the bond you share — something honest, lasting, and meant to be lived with.

The Dog Photog creates vibrant portraits that are as bold and unique as your dog.

A woman with tattoos on her arms and a watch on her wrist is playing with a large fluffy dog. She is holding the dog’s paw or nose while smiling. The woman has a pen or stick in her mouth and is indoors, with a monitor, shelf, and items in the background.

Using a documentary-inspired approach, I patiently observe, prompt, wait, and respond to each dog’s personality—capturing the fleeting gestures, expressions, and moments that reveal who they truly are. Every session turns the studio into a one-of-a-kind experience and the resulting artwork celebrates their individuality, presence, and spirit.

Sessions →