Photographer · Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, WI · reviewed since 2018
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%100+58.7Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.99SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#16 of 39 pet photographyiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 61%
5.0★★★★★80 Google reviews · 24 photos
100%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Shadow Dog Photography five stars based on eighty reviews, noting the owner responds to all feedback. Clients frequently describe pet portrait sessions for dogs and horses, highlighting the photographer's patience with difficult or special-needs animals and her ability to put pets at ease in outdoor settings. Recurring themes include clear communication, prompt email responses, and the quality of the final images. No common criticisms appear in the provided excerpts, as all reviews are positive.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 80 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 80 Google reviews (76 with written comments, 26 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 100% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 6, 2026.
Service: Pet Photographer serving Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Wisconsin.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other pet photography
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and craft & service; weakest: reliability.
Shadow Dog PhotographyPet Photography median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Shadow Dog Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Shadow Dog Photography: 98/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
98
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Shadow Dog Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Shadow Dog Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Shadow Dog Photography: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 84.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
80 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars80100%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 76 written reviews
99%praise
Praise11999%
Complaints11%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude4437%
Would recommend3025%
Quality & results2118%
Communication76%
Price & value76%
Speed & response65%
Honesty & trust54%
What customers talk about
We read 76 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“It was our first ever professional photo session with our two dogs.”
“For anyone whose dogs are their children, a professional photo session with Jan is highly recommended.”
“I had a wonderful experience with Shadow Dog Photography.”
“Jan is very detailed in her planning process and is in clear communication leading up to and following the photo session and until your artwork is received.”
“These pictures were an investment, and they proved so worth it!”
“Once we got to her home, we immediately felt at ease.”
“Trust me, you will not regret it—only that you did not book a session sooner!”
People customers mention
Jan51 reviews
Bezzo3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Shadow Dog Photography for 1 kind of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
KKatie2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Jan is the BEST photographer that I have been able to work with! She has taken pictures of my horse twice, and has come out to SMILES to take photos of clients and horses and every picture is perfect! She is a joy to work with, and one of the nicest people I know. Don't hesitate to use her for your photos!!
Great pricePet photography
JJustineLocal Guide · 11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★★★
I can't say enough about working with Jan / Shadow Dog Photography. She came equipped with everything needed for a successful photo shoot.Her instructions were easy to follow and resulted in shots one could not complete on their own.The session we had was in a Healthcare setting and the staff interacted well with…
Great pricePet photography
SSamantha12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
We were a little nervous about our session with Jan because we didn't know what to expect. It was our first ever professional photo session with our two dogs. Once we got to her home, we immediately felt at ease. She was kind, organized, and very personable. Jan is very talented and was great with our pups. The…
AAbigail4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
For anyone whose dogs are their children, a professional photo session with Jan is highly recommended. The dogs are her primary concern, and the center of attention. My session occurred on a very hot and humid day, so I feared my dogs constant panting would ruin the photos. In contrast, they looked happy and…
TTiffany1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Jan was wonderful to work with and captured the most beautiful pictures of our handsome pup (and us!)
KKristina2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
I had a wonderful experience with Shadow Dog Photography. My dogs are getting a little gray around the muzzle, and I knew I wanted some high quality pictures of them by a professional — not in a studio where they would have to be on their best behavior, but outside, where they could truly be themselves. The end…
Jan is the BEST photographer that I have been able to work with! She has taken pictures of my horse twice, and has come out to SMILES to take photos of clients and horses and every picture is perfect! She is a joy to work with, and one of the nicest people I know. Don't hesitate to use her for your photos!!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Pet photography
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thanks so much Katie! Nick is a special boy and I feel lucky to know you both. ❤️
J
Justine KaczmarekLocal Guide · 11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Justine has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I can't say enough about working with Jan / Shadow Dog Photography. She came equipped with everything needed for a successful photo shoot.Her instructions were easy to follow and resulted in shots one could not complete on their own.The session we had was in a Healthcare setting and the staff interacted well with photos and posing with my dog. You will truly NOT be disappointed having Jan photograph your animal. She will go the extra mile to get the photos- even laying in the parking lot for the best angle! I guarantee that you won't be disappointed by the results. Thanks Jan!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Pet photography
Response from the owner · 6 months ago
Thanks Justine, it was wonderful to get to know you and Seamus. You two are a beautiful light for so many others. ❤️
S
Samantha Garvey12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Samantha has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We were a little nervous about our session with Jan because we didn't know what to expect. It was our first ever professional photo session with our two dogs. Once we got to her home, we immediately felt at ease. She was kind, organized, and very personable. Jan is very talented and was great with our pups. The session was a lot of fun! The photos we selected are beautiful.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thanks Sam! It was great getting to know you all, and the pups are absolute sweethearts! 🥰
A
Abigail Baker4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Abigail has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
For anyone whose dogs are their children, a professional photo session with Jan is highly recommended. The dogs are her primary concern, and the center of attention. My session occurred on a very hot and humid day, so I feared my dogs constant panting would ruin the photos. In contrast, they looked happy and smiling! My dogs also cannot be off leash. However, Jan has tricks to work around that too. She does not rush. She took all the time needed to get quality pictures, capturing both of my dogs' personalities. She spends time before the session getting to know you, guiding you every step of the way, from clothing to lighting, weather concerns, etc. It was a dream experience!
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thanks so much, I loved spending time with you and the pups!
T
Tiffany Morrell1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Tiffany has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I had a wonderful experience with Shadow Dog Photography. My dogs are getting a little gray around the muzzle, and I knew I wanted some high quality pictures of them by a professional — not in a studio where they would have to be on their best behavior, but outside, where they could truly be themselves. The end result is exactly what I envisioned. Jan was very patient and kind, never making me (or my dogs!) feel anxious or stressed. And now I have a stunning album and some beautiful canvases on my wall of two of my favorite creatures in the world. It's an investment, for sure, but a very worthy one. I will treasure these photos forever.
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thank you Kristina, what a wonderful adventure we had in the woods! 🥰
L
Lisa Kalish4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We loved our experience with Jan at Shadow Dog Photography and the results of our photo session. She is a skilled photographer with a calming personality who was able to connect with our dog instantly. He is an older German Shepherd Dog who is naturally cautious of strangers, but Jan put him at ease immediately. This resulted in many beautiful shots of him to choose from. We have had professional photography of all of our previous dogs with other photographers in the area and none have connected like Jan did, nor was the quality of the work comparable.
Jan is very detailed in her planning process and is in clear communication leading up to and following the photo session and until your artwork is received. She is patient, easy to speak with, and encourages your input in session planning. Jan has a variety of options for the finished artwork which she shares as examples during the process so that you can see the quality. Our favorite feature of her process is the technology she utilizes that allows you to share the beautiful portraits electronically with family and friends while you wait for the printed artwork. Amazing! Finally, although I didn’t initially plan on purchasing the photo book, I am so glad that I did. Everyone has complemented the quality and thoughtful layout of portraits within.
We would definitely recommend Jan and Shadow Dog Photography!
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thanks Jennifer, I truly enjoyed bringing your ideas and visions to life. Bud is such a good boy, and incredibly handsome! 🥰
A
Albert's Dog Lounge5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Albert's has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Jan is a staple of our rescue that specializes in senior and special needs dogs. Many of our dogs are much harder to adopt, but Jan is always there to volunteer to take the most incredible photos of our dogs, which significantly increases their adoptability. Our rescue and our dogs are beyond lucky to have Jan's talents.
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thank you! Helping find forever homes takes a village, and I'm honored to be a part of the Albert's family. ❤️
K
kate boss8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews kate has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Wow! Shadow Dog Photography absolutely blew us away with our photos. Jan did equine portraits for us, and as we all know, horses aren't always the most corporative. Jan was so patient and positive throughout the entire process, making it such an enjoyable experience. The pictures are literal art, her talent is unmatched!
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thanks Kate, it was great fun bringing our visions to life! You and the horses were fabulous to work with, and I'm thrilled that you love the final images.
