dog-photographer-high five-standard poodle

Animals have always been a part of my world; my greatest teachers and source of inspiration

Hi! I’m Carol Whitfield - a photographer specializing in animal photography, based in Seattle Washington. Clooney is the Chief Furry Officer and founder of Clooney Dog & Friends, our premium pet portrait service. Over the years, I have photographed many beloved pets and their people - both in their homes and in our Seattle based photography studio - and I absolutely love it.

Photography gives me the means to capture the beauty and complexity of these incredible beings. While I have always enjoyed creative endeavors, honoring my artist mother; Clooney ultimately encouraged me to morph these "hobbies" into something more.

So fourteen years ago left a stressful corporate life to become Clooney's full-time manager, agent, and photographer. He since has retired, and I now fill my time photographing other willing animal models, including his little sister, Jitterbug.

In addition to commissioned animal portraits, I work with local businesses and animal care professionals to capture cats & dogs for their commercial marketing campaigns; whether it’s to showcase physical products for e-commerce or on their websites, for social media, or for personal branding imagery!

Woman in glasses hugging a gray standard poodle.
“My goal is to create beautiful images that capture the uniqueness of each animal as well as the special human/animal bond.”

Fun facts about Carol:

  • Growing up in Montana, my best friend was my horse. He would whinny and greet me at the bus stop every day after school. I have very few pictures of him, so I honor him by traveling the world, photographing other horses.

  • After college, I spent many years in corporate conference rooms daydreaming about animals. I made some of my closest friends in those conference rooms - including my husband; the man of my dreams and love of my life (just 2nd to Clooney).

  • My friends once worried that my collection of cats made me un-datable. Then I met my husband - an amazing partner who embraces and encourages my obsession.

  • I used to say, “Once I’ve travel to Africa, I will die happy, as I’ve fulfilled my greatest dream”. Now that I’ve been, I hope to live forever so I can keep going back.

  • In my spare time, I study photography and animal behavior, or spend time with my husband and furry family.

  • I believe in Mother Earth and kindness.

Clooney Dog

Clooney is the Bill Gates of poodles with George Clooney looks. He's smart, creative, drop-dead gorgeous, dramatic, and principled. Though now blissfully retired; in his prime he could learn a new trick within minutes and LOVED to model (and still does).

His dough eyes can turn the most steely heart to goo.

He’s my heart. He’s my soul. And he’s the magic behind my photography.

  • Standard poodle-playful-red ball-studio-dog photograph

  • Standard poodle-endearing head tilt-studio dog photography

  • Standard poodle-outdoor-dog photoshoot

  • Playful-standard poodle-studio-dog photograph

  • Standard poodle-endearing eyes-studio dog photography

Jitterbug Perfume

Bug-a-Boo…our little “ooops” puppy. We weren’t looking to add to our family; but you know the story. She came for a visit. Then needed a home. We all fell madly in love (even the cats kinda liked her), and the rest is history. If happiness were a dog, it would be Jitterbug. She is the life of a party; and her life is just one big party.

  • Standard Poodle-puppy-endearing expression-dog photoshoot

  • standard poodle-playful headtilt-studio-dog photograph

  • Standard poodle_outdoor-dog photoshoot

  • standard poodle-studio-dog photoshoot-pink backdrop

  • Standard poodle-outdoor-dog photoshoot-mt rainier

Dot, Dori and Sally

Mark Twain once said, “If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much”.

My guess is he never actually lived with a cat…

He obviously never met my cats.

The cats that raised Clooney. The three that lodged outspoken complaints 14 years ago, when I allowed a wild poodle puppy into our world. The three cats for whom I remodeled my home, so they could perch at ceiling height and judge the offensive dog from above.

Though they eventually accepted Clooney and maybe learned to like him; they never quit complaining about timing of their meals. Loudly.

And while they are no longer with us, their little spirits remain strong.

Not a day goes by where I don’t talk to their portraits on our walls, and feel them purring back at me. My soul is richer from loving these cats. My heart is grateful for my photographic passions.

These three cats are why I feel so strongly about printed, heirloom photography.

  • A playful calico cat lying on its back on a light blue couch with its paws in the air.

    Sally

  • Close-up of a relaxed gray and white cat lying down, with green eyes and a soft expression.

    Dori

  • Gray and white cat peeking over a ledge with green eyes.

    Dot (Destroyer of Things)