I love, love, love animals, so naturally I enjoy taking photos of them, too! Animals are notoriously hard to photograph, but I like the challenge. There are some things you can do, though, to make the whole process easier and ensure we get more good photos for you to choose from. I’ve come up with a few things to do with your dog before and during the photography session to make the most of it!
1. Tire them out
Take your pet for a walk or do a vigorous play session. Or even both! A tired, content pet is much more cooperative than a hyper one. This is a MUST. Please, exercise your furbaby right before our session so that we don’t waste time trying to get them to sit still for a few photos. Don’t worry, if you want some play photos, we can always do that at the beginning. Rarely do dogs get tired of playing with their favorite toy.
2. Groom them
Even if their fur is long or short, groom them a bit and get them camera ready. This could include getting a new collar or bandana, as well.
3. Keep their favorite treat and/or toy handy
We will need anything and everything to entice your pooch to look at the camera at the right moment. Having treats and a variety of toys is a good way to make this happen. Toys can also be good props for the shoot itself!
4. Clean up the backyard
I don’t just mean sticks and leaves. Please pick up the poo, too. You’d be surprised what I have to do to get a good photo from our furry friends. Not worrying about land mines will make the session so much easier!
5. Tell me about your dog’s personality
If your dog’s a bum or super hyper, let me know! Knowing what I’m in for lets me strategize. If your dog loves walks, let’s walk him a bit for some photos. If they love swimming, let them swim! We want this to be as much fun as possible for your dog, too!
6. Have a retractable leash or a pretty leash handy if we’re in public
In a perfect world, we could have your dog off leash and get all the photos we needed without worrying if they’ll dash off, but that’s not always feasible. I will do my best to edit out the retractable leash when I can, but having a backup “pretty” leash that you don’t mind staying in the photos can be nice, too.
7. Where a complimentary color if you’re in the shots with your pup
If we are doing a Together or Celebration session, make sure you wear clothing that compliments your pup. If your dog is black, avoid black; if they’re brown, skip the tan shirt or khaki pants. You get the idea!
8. Recommended Items to Bring
- Water bowl & bottle
- Small hand towel
- Fashionable leash or retractable leash
- Plastic potty bags
- Treats
- Brush or comb
- Small squeaky toy or other favorite toys
- Lint roller
- Bandanas or other props for your pet
Other than that, we just play it by ear and do our best to get some shots of your furry friend! I am patient and take my time with all pet sessions to make sure your pet is as relaxed as possible and that it’s a positive experience for them, too. A pet session is very much a collaborative effort with me and you to get your beloved pet to look picture perfect in their photo. Pet sessions are a real treat to shoot. Pun totally intended.