Good article

[Greg_Nuspel]

This article reminds me of my photos I posted here of birds in captivity that looked wild. I wasn't going to claim them as wild, but I'm sure others have.

[casil403]

I read this...makes me kind of sad really to know professional people do this...also it makes me question so many "wild" animal shot I've seen in magazines if they were real or done under false pretenses. Might as well just go to the zoo and shoot if that's the case.


Wow they aren't cheap either! This is taken from the site.
Welcome to Animals of Montana

See here's the really funny part...apparently you can rent a wild golden retriever to photograph it's natural behavior(???) for an hour for $200!!!!
Animals with Individual Rates for Single Sessions:
Photo sessions are one hour long. These animals are trained to perform behavior-on-command. Additional time is pro-rated.

Individual Rate Species**:
African Lion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500/session
Grizzly Bear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500/session
Snow Leopard . . . . . . . . . . . $500/session
SiberianTiger. . . . . . . . . . . . . $500/session
Specialized Wolf. . . . . . . . . ..$400/session
Black Leopard. . . . . . . . . . . . .$500/session
European Lynx . . . . . . . . . . . .$500/Session

Primary Species**:
Black Bear, Gray Wolves, Mountain Lion, Canadian Lynx, Bobcat, Red Fox, Pine Marten, Badger, Porcupine, Cross Fox, Fisher, Golden Retriever. . . .$200.00/session

Secondary Species**:
Raccoon, Skunk . . . . . . . . . $150.00/session

**$100.00 fee per session for Mother and baby interaction in addition to the animal rate.


Here's the other site...they refer to their animals as "wildlife models". It really bothers me that they are doing all this under the pretense that they are trying to "save" and rehabilitate wildlife.

http://www.tripledgamefarm.com/


I used to watch "Wild Kingdom" religiously when I was a kid. I feel so cheapened/taken right now...lol! Marlin Perkins is a sham!

[Wicked Dark]

I read most of this article last night while I was up with insomnia. It didn't help. So sad - it's like animal slavery. Makes me queasy. I could never treat an animal so cavalierly. They'd be better off in zoos.

[casil403]

Michaelaw should get in on this...rent out Maxi doing "natural behavior" in the house for $200/session!

[Greg_Nuspel]

Michaelaw should get in on this...rent out Maxi doing "natural behavior" in the house for $200/session!

Yeah and he could charge $300.00/ session for himself in natural environment

[Marko]

This is bothersome.....and it isn't going away anytime soon. The shots on those sites are awesome...and the shots sell future tours. I can see lines of photographers that would want to do this.

[casil403]

. I can see lines of photographers that would want to do this.

\
Me too....it's like a zoo without the separation cages/bars.

Like I said I have a real issue with the pretense/guise of these places being for conservation/rehabilitation efforts...I wonder exactly how much money goes towards rehab/conservation and how much goes to profit. especially considering the cost.
Makes feel kind of actually...but people will buy into it for sure to get those kinds of shots.
I saw an ad recently for triple D where it stated to come down because the babies are coming out.

[Michaelaw]

Michaelaw should get in on this...rent out Maxi doing "natural behavior" in the house for $200/session!

Gotta pay for all that fishy shaped food somehow We could have different sets and costumes for Maxi..."You have to wear the cougar suit till noon Maxi...Then, we'll do lunch before we don the Siberian tiger suit for the afternoon session"

[Bambi]

this does make me sad. If I was at a wildlife preserve or a zoo I would take pictures and feel okay with it. This though seems wrong. At least the pictures that Michael takes of Maxi and my D'Arcy shots are natural!

[Fortytwo]

For $200 an hour, I'll act like a wild animal too, if you want me to...