Meet Elizabeth Kurpanek | Pet Filmmaker and Photographer

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

Hi Elizabeth, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always been an entrepreneur – I started filming weddings in 2015, but when I borrowed my friend and her Yorkie to practice with a new gimbal, an idea was born. Nobody was making pet films, but when Huey passed away, that silly practice video became so precious to my friend. It didn’t matter how many photos and videos she took on her phone of her little dog. None of them captured her and Huey together like our session did. From there, I knew that I needed to pursue this idea for other pet parents.

It would be another 7 years later before I finally brought this idea to light. Between getting a puppy of my own, quitting my day job to go full time with weddings, covid, a massive life change, and rebuilding my life, it just felt like year after year it wasn’t the right time to launch. But finally, last year, the idea was screaming at me that it was time to come to life. I finally decided on a name, made the branding, started gathering models and pups, and Ruff and Roam finally came to life!

In the pet world, the main people doing photography are doing beautiful, high-end, studio portraits of pets, but I know myself, and I know the types of people in Colorado that love their dogs. Just like with Elopements, my kind of people love to be outdoors, and they love to take their pets on all their adventures. From kayaking to backcountry skiing, full time van life, etc. I want to capture dogs in all their silly tomfoolery, grass rolls, playing in the snow, and being a menace with a stick in the water. These are the memories you’ll have with your pet, and I want to capture that.

What should our readers know about your business?
To my knowledge, nobody is really offering pet films! I know some pet influencers who film their own pets, but the average pet owner hardly ever gets even phone footage of themselves connecting with their pets! I’m still in the brand-awareness stage of this idea, but so far everyone I’ve talked to wants to be a part of it, and as soon as they see a film I created, they want one too. So we’re still facing the uphill challenge of this, but I think it’ll be so worthwhile. Particularly as more people and couples choose not to have kids and spoil their animals instead!

There’s a lot of fear in going into the unknown and un-marketed territory, but there’s a lot of excitement in getting to pave the way. I hope that this idea takes off and we create an entirely new market in my industry!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok, so we’re gonna take this from a pet-friendly perspective for a summer week in Colorado!

Where you’re staying – Gravity Haus Breckenridge
What you’re doing – Patio hangs, hiking, paddleboarding, gondola ride, farmers market, art market

Mountain towns are some of the best places to take your pets. So many places are pet friendly, there’s so much to do outside, and wither your dog is the most friendly, or a little reactive, you can always find a space to be.

Gravity Haus is one of the more pet-friendly hotels in the state, I stayed at the one in Steamboat and had a great experience, they also offer a membership for discounts on stays, coworking space, and several other amenities, so that’s also a huge plus!

Almost every patio is gonna allow pets. Get some breakfast at Cool River Coffee House – I go there every time I’m in Breckenridge. There is also a new Snarfs in Dillion for delicious sandwiches. Chill at Outer Range Brewing in Frisco, pets are allowed on the patio! For dinner, I love Sauce on the Blue – their parmesan brussels sprouts are my favorite dish, I’ll eat it as a full dinner. The patio has you right on the Blue River, and there is nothing better than the sound of running water while you eat!

For hikes, you’ve got so many options. I absolutely adore Mayflower Gulch, it is also a 4×4 road, so be aware of vehicles driving up! You do have the right of way as a hiker, but keep your pets close as they pass. I’ve gotten really anxious passing people with off leash dogs while driving the road. Quandry is a popular 14er hike, but I don’t recommend it unless you and your dog have high altitude preparation. AllTrails is my go to for finding hikes that both myself and my dog are going to love (aka, hiking along a river or ending up at a lake for some feral water zoomies)

Lake Dillion is a great place to paddleboard and kayak if you love being on the water with your dog! Vail and Leadville are also within close driving distance for more areas to explore!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I really want to highlight my friend, Shawna and her dog Huey first and foremost. They were my first Ruff and Roam clients before either of us knew what that was.

I also had an amazing group of people that modeled for me with their dogs (and cats) last year to help me create content to build my portfolio. It’s really hard to sell something that nobody else is doing, so these lovely humans helped me bring my vision to life.

I also want to mention The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. In one of the chapters, and I’m going to paraphrase it, but he mentions that if an idea comes to you, but you don’t take advantage of the timing, the idea will be picked up by someone else because that idea has a need and a desire to come to life. So I’m grateful that the idea stuck with me, and that I get to see it come to life. This new side of my business brings me so much joy.

Website: https://ruffandroam.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ruff.and.roam

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ruffandroam