Choosing a photographer is about more than loving their photos. It’s about finding someone you trust to create a great experience for both you and your pet. Here are a few of the reviews clients have shared after their sessions. You can also read more on my Google Reviews page.
“Ellen’s work is nothing short of AMAZING! The photos she took of my stubborn little Beagle princess captured her personality better than I could have ever imagined. Ellen was so easy to work with, listened to what I wanted, and then made suggestions of her own. Everyone I have shared Trudy’s pictures with agrees—Ellen Zangla is excellent at what she does.”
— Tammy, Ashburn, VA
“I don’t even know where to begin expressing my gratitude for Ellen and the incredible gift she gave me in photographing my beloved dog, Midna. After receiving the devastating news of Midna’s terminal diagnosis, I reached out to Ellen with a very last-minute request—and without hesitation, she found a way to fit us in. That kindness alone meant the world.
Ellen welcomed us into her beautiful home, which offered the perfect backdrop for our session. It felt peaceful and full of light, a space where Midna could be herself. Somehow, Ellen managed to capture everything: Midna’s goofiness, her deep love of cuddles, and—most importantly—the connection the two of us share. Every photo reflects who Midna truly is, and the bond we’ve built over the years.
Throughout the entire process, Ellen was so flexible and accommodating—not just with scheduling, but also with reviewing the photos and helping me order prints when my emotions were running high. She handled everything with such compassion and care, creating a space where I felt safe to begin saying goodbye.
These images are a treasure. They’re a reminder of the joy, silliness, and love Midna brought into my life. I will be forever grateful to Ellen for capturing that so beautifully, and for treating both of us with such tenderness during one of the hardest moments I’ve faced.
If you’re looking for someone who doesn’t just take pictures, but sees and honors your relationship with your pet, Ellen is the one. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
—Crystal, Leesburg, VA
“Ellen has been photographing my pets for years. When I got my puppy, Smudge, she started documenting her at just eight weeks old. Ellen then did additional photo shoots, so that she could capturing each stage as Smudge grew. Every single photo is stunning and reveals a different side of Smudge’s personality.
Ellen truly invests the time it takes to capture the heart of her subject—and with dogs, that’s not always easy. Her patience, skill, and connection with animals make all the difference.
I honestly can’t say enough about how wonderful Ellen’s work is. Most importantly, I’m so thankful to have such a huge collection of wonderful pictures and memories of the pets she has photographed for me.”
— Lydia, Leesburg, VA
“When you love someone, you want to capture certain special moments in time with them—and be able to look back and cherish those memories. In a way, our hearts relive those moments when we can look back with clarity and pause to reflect on what we felt.
They say, ‘Pictures are worth a thousand words,’ but when the one you love dearly is also your family pet, a photo shoot with Ellen Zangla is worth countless heartfelt memories—and so much more than any number of words. Ellen captures the character and personality of your pet in her photos, and that is evident in all of her work.
Photography expertise aside, I never expected to have so much fun or enjoy a photo shoot as much as my dog, Denali, and I did under Ellen’s direction. She made us feel like celebrities. She magically snapped pictures of Denali looking his best—full of personality—and even captured moments of the two of us playing together, just like we do in our most free and joyful times.
The photo shoot alone was worth every cent. But then, to receive the prints from that day—those photos will always be lasting memories of a great day with my great dog. I couldn’t imagine preserving something so special with anything less than the wonderful work and artistry of Ellen Zangla Photography.”
— Tommy, Leesburg, VA
There are not enough great things I can say about Ellen Zangla and her pet photography! She has photographed Rocko numerous times, capturing his best moments and poses. Ellen is incredibly creative, a natural at pet photography, and always patient and loving with the pets she photographs.
She creates an environment that holds the attention of even the most easily distracted pets—and somehow gets those perfect puppy head tilts everyone loves. One of the best things about working with Ellen is her abundance of creative ideas. She’s always happy to share them, and as a result, the photos always turn out flawless.
Right now, Rocko is in the middle of a progression project that Ellen designed. She photographed him at three months and six months, and we’ll do one more puppy photo shoot when he turns 12 months. Puppies grow up so fast, so I’m incredibly grateful to have his growth creatively documented through her photos. These are memories I’ll have forever.
— Danielle, Ashburn, VA
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the whole process of working with Ellen Zangla Photography. Not only is Ellen a fabulous photographer, but she is also extremely compassionate and a true animal lover.
Ellen went above and beyond with every step of the process from the initial consultation to the delivery of the finished photographs. The most difficult part of the process? Selecting which photographs to pick because I wanted them all.
I highly recommend Ellen if you want perfect memories that capture the unique personalities of your fur kids.”
— Annika, Reston, VA
“It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to have our Scottish Terriers photographed by Ellen. We’ve had Scotties as companions for over 30 years, but no one has ever captured their unique personalities—both as a breed and as individuals—the way Ellen did.
The images from our photo shoot truly reflect who Arthur and Morgan are and what they mean to us. They’re so spot on, we can almost feel their presence: Arthur with his perpetually “smiling” face and dark, inquisitive eyes, and Morgan with her solemn, thoughtful, and caring expression.
Ellen also captured the deep bond between them—the joy they share at play and the comfort they bring each other at rest. She made that possible by taking time to talk with us, learn about the breed, and understand what makes Arthur and Morgan tick.
She was patient and flexible. Instead of working to a timeline, she followed their lead and captured the moments they created. We can’t thank Ellen enough for this gift and proudly and lovingly display her art at home and at work. Thank you, Ellen—Arthur and Morgan thank you too!”
— Craig & Mary, Sterling, VA
“Ellen is not only passionate about pet photography—she also brings incredible skill, heart, and patience to every carefully planned photo shoot. She’s a true professional from start to finish and genuinely cares about her clients (and their humans).
In fact, Ellen has the patience of a saint and lightning-fast reflexes when it comes to capturing the perfect moment. She preserved unforgettable memories for us—and even taught our puppy to sit!”
—Whitney, Sterling, VA
“Ellen Zangla is a phenomenal pet photographer! My sister gave me an incredible gift—she arranged for Ellen to photograph my two dogs.
Ellen truly has a way with animals and somehow manages to capture the essence of their personalities. I absolutely love the photos of Sadie and Summer and would highly recommend Ellen to anyone looking for pet photography that reflects your dog’s true spirit.”
—Laura, Bristow, VA
Every pet is different, and every session is too. My goal is always the same: to create photos you’ll love and an experience you’ll enjoy just as much.
Ready to create photos you’ll love seeing every day?
Schedule your free consultation and let’s start planning your session.
Based in Hamilton, VA. Serving Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, and the DC Metro area.