Spotlight: Sandra Salvas for Reál Mesa Pet Food

BY 26 August 2024

Park City, Utah-based Animals and Brand Narrative photographer Sandra Salvas recently began an ongoing project with Reál Mesa Pet Food. Reál Mesa offers chef-curated, Mediterranean-inspired pet food products and recipes that emphasize nutritious, high-quality ingredients. For every meal purchased, a portion of the proceeds is donated to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides culinary aid to communities in crisis. Reál Mesa wanted to launch a brand of dog food and treats created by World Central Kitchen founder and chef, José Andrés. The client needed a steady stream of stills each month to help create a social media presence for its growing brand.

A tearsheet from Reál Mesa Pet Food's Instagram featuring a photo of two dogs standing next to a bag of dog food.

I found this project posted on Après Productions‘s Instagram stories with a call looking for dog photographers open to working with a new brand. I responded with my interest, highlighting my website work, and a few weeks later, I got an email outlining the project. They provided all brand guidelines, mood boards, inspiration, etc. This is a retainer project, so I get updated creative briefs and direction each month to help shape the products and locations I choose to feature.

A Sustained Goal

For this ongoing project, Sandra was tasked with capturing the look and feel of the healthy dog lifestyle that Reál Mesa targets with its brand.

The goal is to highlight healthy connections of dogs with their families, in the home and with their food. Showing how people love and interact with their canine companions. What Reál Mesa calls “Curated Reality.” The brand is Mediterranean-inspired, so ideally the look and feel should be vibrant and warm feeling. It is also important that pets are and look cared for.

A dog playing in the river. Photo by Sandra Salvas.

I live in Utah and travel mostly around the state here, so I’m able to incorporate various environments including urban, mountain, and desert landscapes. The beauty of working with this company is the flexibility and openness to new locations and ideas. If they need something, they will reach out and ask if I have travel plans or see if there’s an opportunity I can capture that month. The shoots are generally only a couple of hours long, and I try to incorporate something active so the dogs don’t get frustrated and remain engaged.

A woman showing a piece of a treat to a dog as she stands in the middle of a beautiful landscape in Utah. Photo by Sandra Salvas

Sandra also explained how she managed her resources during the project.

The budget isn’t large here, but as a retainer it is consistent, and the work is rewarding, so I roll into these shoots solo. Luckily, I have the humans as handlers and talent. I’ll offer to share images, and give products of food and treats as payment for time. I also try to be mindful of everyone’s time and look to make these photoshoots 2-3 hour blocks.

Two men and two dogs exchanging kisses and hugs with bags of Reál Mesa dog food on the table.

Working with Canine Talent

When asked about working in the Animals photo specialty, Sandra had this to say:

I am naturally attracted to dogs as companions and love showing their personalities and interactions with their humans through photography. I have done quite a bit of dog photos for local rescues, editorial publications, and a 2-week long documentary project for Photographers Without Borders to raise money and awareness for an animal rescue organization in Northern Thailand. Generally, my approach to animals is pretty organic. Dogs will sometimes listen, but ultimately you need to be observant, ready, and patient, and if they’re food-motivated, reward them with lots of treats!

A woman carrying a dog. Photo by Sandra Salvas.

I love seeing the individual personalities of these dogs, and what they bring out in their humans. I try to match the dog’s energy. If they are nervous, I keep it chill. If they are excitable, I’ll go for the more dynamic shots. You just have to be totally ok with scrapping an idea if the dogs are not able to execute your vision. The dogs I work with are pets, not trained models. It’s more likely you’ll get that authentic connection if you just let people interact with them as they naturally do.

A woman gives a dog a high five and a treat.

Photographing a Brand

Sandra shared some insights from working the project with Reál Mesa without a team.

Being a solo photographer/producer/creative director, I just have to be extra mindful of product placement and legibility within the frames. That is always my biggest challenge. Cause you’re watching the action of dog and human, but oh wait… gotta reposition that bag!

A woman is giving a treat to a dog that has jumped up and down on her.

I went into this being asked to create images, but I started creating GIFs as well as some iPhone videos that they can turn into reels. I think sometimes when I’m only able to get so many specific stills that would run as great images, the in-between getting to that place is still a valid story and those clips can translate well into reels. So I’m always thinking of ways to maximize time and the range of creativity for the client.