PatriciaMurphy 10/10/08 11:17 AM Unaware of her temporary celebrity, Libby pranced about on the small studio's hardwood floors. Her nose close to the ground, the spirited white cockapoo with sand-colored spots sniffed in every corner and closely inspected props like a synthetic Barbie-pink Christmas tree festooned in glitzy purple tinsel.
Her companions watched the energetic investigation with patient smiles, but the digital cameras started clicking the moment Libby showed signs of settling down.
Candace Zynda, Pink Parrot Photo owner and photographer, and her assistant, photographer Crystal Tegan, are well-versed in patience. Taking pictures of animals—the studio specializes in dogs and cats, though it welcomes all kinds of creatures—is a venture that necessitates the virtue.
"We try not to rush it too much because otherwise [the photos] look too posed," said Zynda, who recommends that dog owners tire out their animals by taking them on a long walk before arriving at the studio. "Our job isn't to pose [pets], it's to capture their personality."
Zynda got started in the pet portrait business three years ago when she couldn't find a photography studio to accommodate her greenwing macaw and two dogs, one half weimaraner, half lab and the other a German short-haired pointer.
She set up a portrait studio in her home, and before she knew it, friends and friends of friends were asking Zynda for her services.
Pink Parrot Photo, 415 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville, opened about three months ago, and in that time, Zynda has been busy building her business by networking with groomers and veterinarians and participating in events for animal welfare.
"We donate 10 percent of our proceeds to rescue and animal welfare organizations," she said.
Sometimes, Zynda finds customers right outside her door, like Libby's adoptive mom, Kathleen Keenan, who stopped by the studio with her children after picking up her pooch from a nearby groomer.
"We just got [Libby] on Sept. 11, and I'm so excited to have a dog that need foufing up," said Keenan, who along with Zynda, was taken with the delicate pink bows the groomer had placed on the dog's ears.
In less than 15 minutes, Zynda and Tegan had snapped about 70 pictures. About half the time, people join their pets for the portrait.
"You did good—you're a professional model now," Tegan cooed to Libby, who thanked her for the compliment with a playful nudge of the nose.
After a session has concluded, the photographers select on average the best 10 to 30 images and place them in a password-secured on-line photo album for pet owners to peruse and purchase.
While Libby mugged for the camera in nothing but her fur coat, several dogs and cats come to the studio dressed in cute costumes. Zynda fondly recalled a chihuahua outfitted in pint-sized motorcycle gear.
"We can also add in backdrops or things like a Cubs hat or reindeer ears [in the computer editing process]" she said.
Another perk is that the photographers can make house calls or arrange to shoot at a specified location.
"I had a woman call me about taking pictures of her horse. I figured it was best we go to the horse," Zynda laughed.
To learn more about Pink Parrot, including pricing information, visit www.pinkparrotphoto.com
http://www.pinkparrotphoto.com/.
To see pictures from Libby's photo shoot, click
here.
By Patricia Murphy, Triblocal.com staff reporter 
