How To Include Your Dog In Your Photos
More often than not I’m surprisingly asked if clients can bring along their dog(s) to our session together.
My first response is, uhm heck yes.
So I put some tips together to make it a little easier!
10 Tips to Including your Dog in Photos
1. Make Sure Your Location is Dog Friendly
I'll provide you with a curated list of locations that I believe will be perfect for the area we'll be around. Just let me know in advance if you plan to bring your pup along so that I can make sure to only recommend places where dogs are welcome. Your furry friend is more than welcome to join us on this adventure!
2. Choose Your Location With Your Dog in Mind
our furry friend. I recommend choosing an area with plenty of open space and minimal foot traffic, where your dog can roam freely and be off-leash for most of our time together. This ensures they'll be comfortable and have a great time, without having to stay on a leash in every single photo.
3. Reconsider the Leash
If we're in a location where your dog needs to be safely on leash, consider how the leash will appear in every photo. Is it time to retire that 8-year-old leash? Does your neon purple leash clash with your outfits? Maybe consider a neutral color for a sleeker look!
4. Bring Toys
Want your pets to relax and have fun during the shoot? Bring their favorite toy! After all, our pets are like our children, so getting them to cooperate can be just like getting kids to sit still for a photo. Their favorite toys are the key to getting their attention and making the shoot a success!
5. Accessorize
Let's be real, is there any animal out there that actually enjoys being dressed up? I'm not so sure... But fear not! You don't always have to put your pet in clothes (although YES, PLEASE BRING ANY PET HALLOWEEN COSTUMES). You can opt for a less traumatizing approach and bring along something like a sign, bowtie, bandana, or matching sweater.
6. Bring Treats
Just like you need toys to distract them, treats are also a must-have for reminding them that they're doing such a good job! Who's a good boy? You're a good boy! Treats are the perfect way to keep their attention and reward them during the shoot.
7. Bring a Friend to Help
If you have a gut feeling that your pet isn’t going to be the most cooperative, another option is to bring a friend or family member to the session to help hold them and get some shots of just the two of you. While having your pet there adds an awesome and personal touch, we also want to capture some shots of just the two of you together!
8. Be Prepared for the Weather
No one likes being out in the cold without shoes, and I don’t think dogs are any different. If it’s snowy, consider buying them some booties (imagine dogs in booties, how could you not love that)! If you’re planning to canoe around a lake for your session, maybe get them the world's cutest life vest that I won’t be able to stop fawning over. I mean, whatever floats your boat!
9. Have Fun With It!
Does your dog love to run around and play fetch? Or are they more of a "please hold me every second of every day" type of pet? Think of some fun activities you can do together, like playing fetch or having a picnic with dog-friendly snacks. Bringing these items will help incorporate these playful moments into the session, capturing your pet's personality and creating lasting memories!
10. Know when to give up
If it’s just not happening, that’s totally okay. Sometimes pets aren’t in the mood or the environment isn’t right for them. In that case, we can call a friend or family member to come pick them up or discuss alternative options. The most important thing is to make sure everyone, including your furry friend, feels comfortable and happy during our time together!
An example gallery of how to include your dog in your photo session
A super sweet senior dog session in Grand Junction