We love getting holiday cards and seeing how the families of our near and dear change from year to year. But our pets are part of our families too — why leave them out?
That’s what Harbor Pet owner Kim Loper and First and South‘s Sarah Phillips were thinking when they decided to create a weekend-long pet portrait studio right in time for the holly-jolly holidays.
“Our restaurant is pet friendly and a lot of our customers come and dine with their dogs – their dogs are their children, and we wanted to do something for them that’s fun,” says Phillips.
There was also a sidebar motivation for Loper and Phillips: Bring more business to the brick and mortar shops of Greenport. “We wanted to inspire people to think outside the box. Everyone shops online, so how to you get customer engagement? You offer them an experience they can’t get online.”
Harbor Pet and First and South are teaming up to give your pup, cat or other furry four-legged friend their 15 minutes of photo fame. (Photo credit: Doug Young)
The idea actually launched last holiday season in 2025, and was so well-received, the two Greenport friends decided to do it again. With professional photographer Doug Young (who shoots many of the stories you see on our pages) behind the lens, the 15-minute photo sessions run between 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 and cost $65 for the session and two portrait-worthy photos to go home with plus a gift certificate for free fries at First and South.
“A lot of our guests send holiday cards and we always put them up on the wall here at First and South. Seeing these cards every year brings tears to my eyes. The picture of the single person with their dog, friends I grew up with, people who have been dining with us for 14 years and I’ve watched their kids grown up,” Phillips says. “Getting that card is so beautiful, and so many people don’t fit the so-called norm—we should be able to do this for our pets, too!”
Pet portrait sessions will take place at Harbor Pet’s grooming station (120 Main St., Greenport). To reserve your spot, go to First and South’s website here.
