PW: Welcome, Tato! I'm so happy to meet you, pup. Where are you right now?

TATO: I'm in the ball pit.

PW: That’s awesome! Man, I love your photographs. They're really passionate and dramatic. It’s obvious when a photographer is shooting a pup scene just because it’s sexy and they know people will buy it. You communicate what pup play is about from a place of understanding, through the lens of someone who can relate. And you do that really well.

TATO: All of my models are actual pups. I don’t just shoot some guy in a hood.

PW: We’ve all seen those photographs. You know right off the bat that someone’s not a real pup by their attitude and the way they carry themselves. Before I go any further, how do you pronounce your name?

TATO: Tato, as in poTATO. I love potatoes, no matter how they’re prepared.

PW: Ah, I was calling you Tato as if it were a Japanese name. You can tell I live in Hawaiʻi! So, how do you want to present your photography and your business to the world? I see images that are erotic, but not porn.

TATO: No, they’re definitely not porn.

PW: What drew you to photography?

TATO: I had a pretty girlfriend. A long, long time ago, in another life, I had a very pretty girlfriend, and I would take pictures of her. Ever since I’ve been stuck behind the camera.

PW: That's a perfect reason. What inspired you to focus your art on pups?

TATO: Jeez, I love everything, pup. Pup changed my life. So everything is focused on pup. I saw these two pups come into a bar one time, and they were just living their best fucking lives. I thought, I want that for me. I need that for me. They’re amazing! And they became my models. My two main models, actually.

PW: Do you have a favorite photographer whose work really catches your eye? Inspires you?

TATO: I actually don’t. I could really benefit from finding inspiration in the work of established, famous photographers.

PW: Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most talked-about topics online. How has the rise of AI affected the way you work?

TATO: Oh, it makes it easier. I mean, if I'm having a brain fart and I'm not sure why my lights are coming up wrong, I just ask AI, and it will correct it for me. AI’s a breeze. It’s really done a lot.

PW: I discovered you on Instagram. How is the response online? What kind of buzz is there? You seem really popular. The pup photographer who really stands out.

TATO: Thank you! As far as buzz, I really dig the Instagram love. Every three seconds, there’s a heart. I just started taking pictures, and suddenly it became a thing. I just came back from North Carolina, taking pictures there with some pups. I’ve got a bunch of other things booked.

PW: For pups out there who want to pursue photography, do you have any advice or any pointers?

TATO: Yeah. As far as photography goes, just keep shooting. Make a billion mistakes, and every single one will teach you something.

PW: How do you find your models?

TATO: After working with my first models, as I mentioned earlier, now they pretty much come to me.

PW: Right? I mean, who doesn't want nice pictures of themselves.

TATO: Every pup needs pup pictures!

PW: Very true. How would you say your personality connects with your photography style?

TATO: Someone recently pointed out to me that my photos are dark and moody. That’s kinda my vibe.

PW: I’ll add dramatic to that description. Your images convey a moment and a very unique attitude. So you consider yourself dark and moody?

TATO: Yeah, that’s why I put this hood on. It’s my safe space. My mental health.

PW: When did you come out?

TATO: I came out in, like, 2008, maybe. It was pretty easy. I had a sister at the time. He is trans. Which just blew everything out of the water. By the time they got to me, it seemed like no big deal.

PW: You know everyone’s gonna ask this. Are you single?

TATO: Yes, I am. (grin)

PW: As a pup yourself, what role do you play in the community, if any? I see you’re wearing a chain collar with a lock. Are you self-locked?

TATO: My first two models are the pups that collared me, Tekk and Ezio. Since then, I’ve been searching for my pack.

PW: What do you enjoy doing when you're not taking photos?

TATO: When I'm not taking photographs, I'm usually obsessing about taking photographs.

PW: What does the future hold for you? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?

TATO: I want to open a big studio that is pup-based and available to anyone creative. It will have a large, open space with a studio and living area, and lots of pups just walking around.

PW: Tato, thanks so much for reaching out and for doing this. You're a cool pup with a cool name, and I love your art! I wanna be one of the first there at your studio's grand opening. I have a feeling you’re going to be one successful pup. You deserve it!