Photographer To The Stars' — Pets

Jim Dratfield Captures Their Essence In Photos; Is In High Demand

(CBS)  Pet owners often collect snapshots of their animals as they would any member of their family. Some go even further and commission a professional portrait photographer.

The Early Show resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner visited one such photographer, Jim Dratfield, who happens to be in high demand.

Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Laura Dern and Billy Joel have all had their pets sit for Dratfield, whose sessions start at $1,000. But he insists he's really in it for the love of animals.

"If you look through a lens and you look in the eye," he says, "it's like a window to the soul. And animals are so pure with that, and that's what I love about them."

Dratfield has been creating pet portraits for more than a decade.

His work is on greeting cards, in books and the homes of pet owners.

"I've always loved animals and I've always loved fine art photography," he tells Turner.

He's traveled the world photographing animals, mostly cats and dogs. Which is more challenging?

"I always say the hardest dog is easier than the easiest cat," he says.

And though it may surprise you, "Horses are very, very tough."

In addition, there's the occasional lion, tiger or bear.

When Turner visited him, Dratfield's subject was a boxer named Max, whose owners, Neil and Jessica Ward, have amassed several albums of personal snapshots of their dog.

"You take a lot of pictures. Why pay a professional?" Turner asks.

"Because," Jessica says, "I think that Max has a lot more to offer than what I can grab out of him. He has the perfect face, and this great personality, and I think somebody like Jim can bring that out."

What does Dratfield spend the most energy trying to accomplish during a photo shoot?

"The key," he says, "is to gain the trust of the animal and to make them as comfortable as you can."

To get their attention, "I'll do anything, because it requires everything. … You never know what's going to happen on a photo shoot because I go into people's homes, and these are not trained animals, but I'm real patient."

Turner says the noises Dratfield makes are key, as is his taking the time to bond with his subjects.

"What's so wonderful about working with animals is, they are so truthful with their response to the camera," Dratfield says. "I am the luckiest person in the world. … I love what I do. I love animals, I love photography, and I get to do this all the time."

When he's not photographing people's best friends around the world, Dratfield is busy compiling his favorite shots in books. His ninth is due in the fall.