Hank Meirowitz is proud to bear the title of Pet Photographer for the Pampered Pet. He has proven himself in group and solo shows as a lover of animals, be they big of small, feline, canine, barnyard or feral, four legged or two legged birds of prey. Extreme close-ups of the faces of his subjects, or body shots of a pet reclining soulfully looking up at the camera, paws crossed, and totally relaxed or silhouetted of cat looking out a window on a misty day – reflect the moods he tries to create with his photos. His subjects are usually in tune with his relaxed mood.
 
Originally, he had worked strictly in black and white with film but has since gone digital, and has gone one step farther with Photoshop techniques, creating animals in psychedelic colors, pencil sketches and water color effects, and a new technique which turns the original picture into an impressionistic type of painting. When the original picture and the Photoshop picture are put side by side, it is hard to recognize that they are basically the same.
 
His studio in New Milford is equipped with floods, umbrellas, posing table and bench, background and a plethora of colored boas, feathered masks, neckpieces, and other décor for the willing subjects to try on and photograph—and yes, he does have hats for the bold and brazen, and a wreath of ostrich feathers through which the subjects can peer. His collection also includes squeak toys and hand puppets that bark to “Ole McDonald’s Farm” and other medleys to get the ears to perk up, eyes to brighten, and to get his models to look wherever he wants. He is down on the floor peering up at them on the bench and has some “dog whisperer” quality to get them in tune with him, He has never been unable to photograph an animal. “Usually it is the owner who gives me the most trouble,” he says ruefully.
 
He loves animals, and it is reflected in his work. He has affinity with them, and they for him. In addition, he loves to make the owners happy, and what could make an animal lover happier than having a portrait forever of his/her beloved friend.
 
He works out of his studio. Appointments can be made at (860) 355-2809. Posing time is usually about an hour, unless the subject wants to have more than the usual amount of photos and/or enjoys the ambiance and the photographer. It has been said, “For Hank, the glass always seems to be half-full, never, if ever, half empty.” Generous to a fault, he likes to make people and their pets happy. His pictures attest to this.