Meet Cory Lehman | Animal Lover with a Camera & Founder of Pets Are Really Cool

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cory Lehman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cory, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly, it all started with a deep love for animals and a moment of clarity. I’d always enjoyed photography, but it wasn’t until I fostered a playful little puppy named PJ that something clicked. I found myself grabbing my camera constantly to capture his personality, his quirks, and the bond we were building. Those photos meant something—they told a story, and they made people feel something.

At the same time, I realized how fleeting those moments can be. I’ve lost pets before, and I know the comfort that comes from having photos that feel real and alive. That was the spark. I didn’t want to just take cute pictures—I wanted to give people something lasting, something meaningful. So I took a leap and started Pets Are Really Cool, with the goal of capturing real moments of real pets, in a way that’s playful, relaxed, and true to who they are.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pets Are Really Cool is all about capturing real moments of real pets. I don’t do stiff, overly posed shots—I want to photograph the goofy grin your dog gives you when they’re excited, the side-eye your cat throws when they’re over it, the pure joy in a tail blur mid-zoom. Every pet has their own personality, and that’s what I’m after.

What sets me apart is how I approach each session. I let the pet lead. I get down on their level, give them time to sniff me out, and wait for those in-between moments that feel honest. I’ve had clients tell me afterward that their pet doesn’t normally warm up to strangers that fast—and that means the world to me. I want every animal I work with to feel comfortable and safe, and every pet parent to walk away with images that actually feel like their pet.

Getting to this point definitely wasn’t easy. Starting a business—especially a creative one—is a rollercoaster of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and figuring things out as you go. I spent a lot of time wondering if I was “good enough” or if anyone would take me seriously. But I kept leaning into the moments that made me feel excited, the clients who made me feel seen, and the pets who reminded me why I was doing this in the first place.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that “professional” doesn’t have to mean buttoned-up or impersonal. I show up as myself—shirt that says “Can I take a picture of your pet?”, goofy grin, ready to roll in the grass if that’s what it takes to get the shot. And people respond to that. Pets do too.

What I want people to know is this: I’m not just here to take pretty pictures of pets. I’m here to tell a story—your pet’s story. Whether they’re a senior dog on their last adventure, a wiggly puppy figuring it all out, or a rescue cat who finally found home, I want to capture the little things that make them who they are. Because those are the moments we hold onto long after the fur stops covering every surface.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week, we’d keep things fun but pretty relaxed. I’d want to show them the sides of Charlotte that feel the most “me,” which usually means places where we can be outside, enjoy some good food, and maybe hang with a few animals along the way.

We’d definitely hit up Ninty’s—it’s such a fun, weird little place and always a good time. At some point we’d go to the Whitewater Center, whether it’s to actually do something adventurous or just walk the trails and watch other people wipe out on the rapids. I also really love Latta Nature Preserve—it’s peaceful, beautiful, and great if you just want to wander and breathe for a bit.

Food-wise, we’d grab brunch somewhere like Snooze, maybe get a burger from Pinky’s, and probably end up with tacos at White Duck Tacos at least once. If there’s a pet-friendly event or a cool market happening that weekend, we’d absolutely swing by that too. And somewhere in the mix, I’d probably drag them to help me scout photo spots and test camera settings—with or without a dog pretending to have the zoomies.

Nothing super fancy, just good places, good food, and plenty of time to slow down and enjoy it all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d be nowhere without Adrian. He’s been my partner in life and creativity for years, and he’s the first person who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. When I started tossing around the idea of pet photography, he didn’t just say “go for it”—he helped make space for it to become real. He’s totally game for anything I need. If I ask him to model for test shots or pretend he has the zoomies so I can dial in my settings, he’s already mid-lap before I finish the sentence.

Beyond all that, Adrian is what I lovingly call my emotional support person and my people whisperer. At events, he’s the one chatting with pet parents, making them feel at ease, giving me the space to focus on what I love most—connecting with the animals and capturing the real moments that happen in between the poses.

And I’ve got to shout out my friend Amy, too. She showed up for my very first event, helped talk to everyone, passed out treats, wrangled chocolates—you name it. She made that first day a success and gave me the push I needed to keep going. Sometimes it just takes one person showing up for you at the right time to change your whole mindset.

I may be the one behind the camera, but Pets Are Really Cool has always been powered by community—the people who support me, show up for me, and let me do what I love: photographing the pets that make our lives so much better.

Website: https://petsarereallycool.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pets_arereallycool/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petsarereallycool

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pets-are-really-cool-harrisburg