Kara Mergl Photography

Kara Mergl Photography I turn beautiful portraits into art. For dog moms & brands who know dogs are family. Nominated Best of Long Island - Best Pet Photographer, 2023 & 2024.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but you know those AI-generated marketing posters that everyone is using on Instagra...
05/19/2026

This might be an unpopular opinion, but you know those AI-generated marketing posters that everyone is using on Instagram right now for their events, sales, launches, everything? I hate to break it to you, but they're ruining your brand.

They're making every brand look exactly the same and creating confusion in the marketplace. When your visuals are that generic, it becomes impossible for your ideal client to know if you're right for them or not.

Think about it: if a real estate agent, a Long Island street fair, and a hair salon are all using the same AI graphic templates, all the messages get completely diluted.

Your visuals should tell people exactly what makes your business different the second they scroll past. When you choose to use the same AI-style as everyone else, you aren't just losing your edge—you’re actively turning away the clients who are looking for your specific expertise.

If you’re a woman launching or growing your brand and those AI graphics make you cringe, but you're not sure where to start with your brand visuals, hit follow and hang out with me for more! 🥂


LONG ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER | WOMEN WHO LEAD | WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS | LONG ISLAND SMALL BUSINESS

The quickest way to improve your iPhone photos of your dog is to stop looking at your dog and start looking at what is b...
05/10/2026

The quickest way to improve your iPhone photos of your dog is to stop looking at your dog and start looking at what is behind them.

If you are snapping photos of your dog on a background that matches their fur, you might be unintentionally camouflaging them. Your photos will end up looking flat and dull.

If you use a background or setting that is the opposite color of their fur, however, they will automatically pop and your photo will be more dynamic.

This is the easiest way to turn a basic photo into one that stands out!

Give it a try this week and make sure to share this with another dog mom who is always taking photos of her pup!






Dog Photography
Dog Mom
Long Island

05/09/2026

If you’re new here you might not know that I actually lead a bit of a double life. 🦸🏻‍♀️

When I’m not behind the camera, I work on writing and passing laws. I grew up in poverty and recognized from an early age that I could help myself and help others. As I talked about on the podcast earlier this year, that’s exactly what set me on a path to trying to fix the systems that fail people.

Early on I went to school to be a social worker to learn how to build better systems, and I’ve spent years doing exactly that. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked in a lot of areas – better access to healthy food, preventing child abuse, improving how animals used for food are treated, and now helping people with disabilities who are homeless access housing. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be in D.C. to talk with members of Congress about what they can do to make our communities better.

It’s a long way from where I started, and it’s a journey I’m pretty proud of even though I don't talk about it a lot here!

What’s the "hidden" side of your life that doesn't always make it to Instagram?

LONG ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER | WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS | FEMALE FOUNDER | ENTREPRENEUR | LONG ISLAND SMALL BUSINESS

Most dog moms think that their dog needs to be perfect model in order to book a session. They think if the dog won't loo...
05/08/2026

Most dog moms think that their dog needs to be perfect model in order to book a session. They think if the dog won't look right at the lens, then the session is a failure. But I promise you, it doesn’t need to be.

If you have a dog who is camera-shy, reactive, or just plain distracted, here are rules I have as a dog photographer that you can use to help you find your own:

✨YOUR DOG MAKES ALL THE DECISIONS:
If your dog needs time to sniff out a new scent after arriving at the session location, then they get to. If your dog would rather stand than sit, then they stand. If your dog is signaling that he is done with the session, then we stop. A photographer that specializes in working with dogs will understand their behavioral instincts and following their cues.

✨CANDID > POSED:
Look for a portfolio that prioritizes the bond and the movement. If every photo in their feed is a dog sitting perfectly still and staring at the lens, they may not be the right for you and your best friend.

✨COMFORT FIRST, LIGHTING SECOND:
A photographer who knows how to use the manual settings on their camera and manipulate light can take a good shot in any location where the dog is comfortable. If a photographer is telling you that you have to meet them at a specific location, but you know your dog won't be comfortable there then it's ok to find someone who will but comfort first.

15 years from now, all you'll remember is the bond you shared with your best friend, not that they wouldn't look at the camera. Use my rules to help you find the right photographer in your area!

Drop a 🐾 if you have one of those dogs who looks away as soon as the camera comes out!

DOG PHOTOGRAPHY | DOG MOM | LONG ISLAND | MOTHER'S DAY

You didn’t launch your new business just to be the best-kept secret on Long Island! If you're dreaming of scaling your b...
05/07/2026

You didn’t launch your new business just to be the best-kept secret on Long Island!

If you're dreaming of scaling your brand, but your online presence is playing small this is for you.

If you’re using stock photos as placeholders and AI graphics to avoid the camera, hoping your work will speak for itself, you might be missing the mark.

In a world of endless scrolling, if your potential clients can’t see the face behind the brand and are left feeling uninspired by your grid, they’re moving on to your competition.

My job is to take the "awkward" out of the equation and give you a visual roadmap that actually matches the level you’re playing at. No more hiding, no more blending in.

Be honest: on a scale of 1 to 10, how much are you "Katy Perry-ing" your brand right now?

LONG ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER | WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS | FEMALE FOUNDER | ENTREPRENEUR | LONG ISLAND SMALL BUSINESS

Stop letting "I don’t know what to post" hold your brand hostage.As a busy founder, you don’t have time for a photoshoot...
04/29/2026

Stop letting "I don’t know what to post" hold your brand hostage.

As a busy founder, you don’t have time for a photoshoot that results in a gallery of images sitting in the cloud. You need assets that work as hard as you do.

The difference between a "good photo" and a "strategic brand asset" is the intention behind it. These two types of headshots each serve a specific purpose, but if you don't know how or where to use them, they're basically useless.

If you're looking for a brand photographer, ask them if they provide an post-shoot guidance on how to make the most of your images. I just finished developing a custom Content Launchpad that tells you exactly how to deploy your images to build trust and scale your business.

Where is the one place you know you need to update your photo but have been putting it off? Is it the website header, the LinkedIn profile, or your Instagram pinned post?

LONG ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHER | BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER | WOMEN WHO LEAD | WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS | LONG ISLAND SMALL BUSINESS

If I could only take my dog to one event on Long Island this weekend, this would be it!I’m so excited to be participatin...
04/28/2026

If I could only take my dog to one event on Long Island this weekend, this would be it!

I’m so excited to be participating in ARF Hamptons Pet Celebration Day this Saturday, May 2nd from 11am-1pm.

To help celebrate the day, I have something special for anyone who books a portrait session - ✨ a complimentary upgrade to a leather triplex and $100 from every package will be donated to ARF! ✨

Can’t make it out east? I’ll be donating $100 from every package booked ALL MONTH LONG in May.

What could be better than capturing the bond you share with your best friend while giving back to an incredible Long Island rescue?

Enjoy a fun day with activities like agility and scavenger hunts, chances to connect with trainers, plus treats, coffee, and local favorites. And yes, your dog can come too! Who knows, you might even meet an adoptable dog and make her your new best friend.

📍 ARF Hamptons
124 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton, NY

Share this with your bestie who wants to bring her dog and join the celebration with you!

04/12/2026

I just crossed a beautiful park off my list for an upcoming photo session!

It’s a reminder that if you ask a photographer how they choose a location and the only answer is "because it’s pretty" or "the light is great," they might not be the right fit for you.

"Pretty" doesn’t matter if your dog is overstimulated or nervous during the session.

Here are three things I ask my clients when we're planning a portrait session. Steal them for planning your next photo session:

1. Where does your dog actually feel safe? The best location is always the one where they can be themselves and have fun without getting triggered.

2. How do you actually like to spend your time together? If you’re happiest curled up on your porch or walking a quiet local trail, then consider that for your location! Your photos should reflect your real life, not a staged version of it.

3. What memories do you want to look back on 15 years from now? Decades from now, when the memory of your best friend is all you have left, what moments do you want to relive through your photos?

It is always okay to advocate for a location where your dog already feels comfortable. A photographer’s job is to understand lighting and composition well enough to make magic happen anywhere.

Hit save so you can come back to these when you start planning the next photo session with your best friend.

LONG ISLAND | DOG PHOTOGRAPHY | LONG ISLAND PARKS

There is nothing quite like a sun-drenched morning on the beach with your best friend for Long Island dog moms. I’m thri...
04/07/2026

There is nothing quite like a sun-drenched morning on the beach with your best friend for Long Island dog moms.

I’m thrilled to announce my first-ever Beach Mini Sessions for women who want to capture her favorite coastal memories with their dogs!

✨ Early Access Details✨

I’m opening reservations for my inner circle today, before they go live to everyone else later this week. Secure your spot by April 17th to take advantage of my early access pricing.

Want to be first in line?

DM me the word "BEACH" and I’ll send you the link to claim one of the 7 spots and your early access pricing now!

DOG PHOTOGRAPHY | LONG ISLAND BEACHES | LONG ISLAND DOG PHOTOGRAPHER | DOG MOM

Address

Nesconset, NY
11767

Opening Hours

Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+16317100028

Website

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