Episode 21 with Dave Pidgeon

The Emotional Power of Pet Photography with Dave Pidgeon from The Dogs Pyjamas

In this episode, Tarryn sits down with professional pet photographer Dave Pidgeon to explore the critical importance of high-quality photography and videography for pet brands.

Join us as we dive into Dave’s journey to becoming a sought-after commercial pet photographer for leading brands. This conversation reveals eye-opening statistics about how professional imagery directly impacts purchasing decisions and why investing in quality visual content is essential for pet businesses looking to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Whether you’re a pet business owner, marketer, or creative professional, this episode provides valuable insights on creating authentic visual connections with pet parents and why real photography continues to matter in an age of AI-generated content.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why high-quality product photos are crucial: 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos when making purchasing decisions
  • How professional photography drives sales: websites with high-quality photos experience 94% higher conversion rates than those with low-quality images
  • The tangible business impact: 22% of returns happen because products look different in person than in photos
  • How video is transforming pet marketing: 64% of consumers are more likely to purchase after watching a product video
  • The importance of authentic imagery in an age of AI-generated content
  • Practical tips for creating engaging product and lifestyle photography, even on a budget
  • The value of storytelling through imagery and creating emotional connections with your audience

Listen in to hear:

  • Dave’s journey from architectural and food photography to specialising in pet photography
  • Insights on working with animals in a studio environment and managing challenging photo shoots
  • How commercial pet photography differs from general product photography
  • Strategies for creating emotional connections through imagery
  • The evolving landscape of social media content and why video is increasingly essential
  • Dave’s perspective on AI-generated imagery and why authentic photography still matters
  • Practical advice for pet brands looking to elevate their visual content

Dave’s Links:

The Dogs Pyjamas: https://thedogspyjamas.com.au/

To get in touch with Dave, email: [email protected]

Stats and resources:

  • 75% of online shoppers rely on product photos to make purchasing decisions.
  • High-quality product photos had a 94% higher conversion rate than low-quality photos.
  • Product pages with photos received 95% more organic traffic than those without.
  • 22% of returns are due to the product looking different in person.
    Source: BusinessDasher
  • Stat: The average lifespan for a website is two years and seven months. Source: Forbes.com
  • Stat: An average user takes 0.05 seconds to form an opinion about a website. Source: CXL.com
  • Stat: 90% of people shopping online believe that photo quality is the top priority when buying something. Source: Businessdasher.com
  • Stat: Return Rates: 22% of product returns occur because items look different in person than in photos, emphasising the need for accurate imagery. Source: Grabon.com
  • Stat: 69% of consumers prefer learning about products through short videos rather than reading text. Source: RedSearch
  • Stat: Businesses predict a few drawbacks when using AI tools for video marketing. Those top two challenges include achieving the right video content (57%) and producing generic or redundant videos (50%). Source: RedSearch
  • Stat: 89% of marketers in Australia report video as the highest-performing content type. Source: Local Digital 4 citing the Wyzowl Video Marketing Statistics Report.
  • Stat: An average user spends 88% more time on a website with video content. Source: Forbes.com
  • Stat: In Shopify’s customer trust research, we found shoppers navigate to an About Us page to learn more about the brand and the people behind the products. Source: Shopify.com + Shopify “Customer Trust Checklist”
  • Stat: Approximately 64% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase after watching a video about a product or service. Source: Flixproductions.com
  • Stat: Australians spend an average of 38 hours and 51 minutes per month on TikTok as of February 2025 — highlighting its immense potential for engaging audiences, particularly younger demographics.
  • Marketers should seriously incorporate short-form video content into their strategies to tap into this highly active platform and connect with a substantial and engaged user base. Source: mi-3.com
  • Stat: For 66% of video marketers, there’s a stronger ROI from product videos than any other video content type. Live-action, short-form videos are the most effective for ROI, lead generation, and engagement. Source: Shopify.com
  • Stat: More Shoppers Prefer Brand Websites – Around 15% of global online shoppers now prefer buying straight from brands they trust. In fact, in some countries, D2C has overtaken marketplaces as the top shopping choice—like in Australia (23%), France (22%), and Colombia (20%). Source: WeMedia.
  • Stat: Values-based video content (including company culture videos) is the second-most effective video type for lead generation. Source: Hubspot.com