Dog photography sessions - what to expect

Dogs have such an important place in our lives, they deserve to be photographed. Young or old, rescues and pure breeds - equally special.

 We all take snaps of our pets on our phones, but not many have beautiful, quality photos they could frame and display in their home.

If a photography session for your dog is something you considered, but aren't sure how it works, let me help with that!

The booking process

When booking a session, we will first decide on a location that suits you and your pooch. This could be your garden, your favourite walk, or any other location of your choice. You can let me know what types of images you’d like, or I can guide the session completely. These photos are for you, so any ideas or wishes you have are welcome, and I'll do my best to create exactly what you want.

We will meet at agreed time, have a chat on what we’ll do and let your dog get used to me. They can be on or off the lead - this is up to you, and your dog's safety is paramount. I always take my time, so if your pooch needs a moment to settle or sniff everything around them, that's absolutely fine! They're the star and should be having a nice time.

During the session I will ask you to pose your dog and get their attention. This can take a little time so don't worry if your pooch isn't immediately doing what we envisioned - we'll just try again, and give them breaks (and treats) if needed. No pressure!

At the end of the session I will remind you of the next steps, and we will part ways - you and your dog had a lovely walk together, and I can get started on editing the pictures. Your gallery will be ready within the quoted time and you'll be free to peruse it at home and pick your favourites.

Preparation

Here are some preparation tips before the session:

- pack treats - small treats will help with posing your dog and rewarding them after a job well done

- collar or harness? - collars photograph much better so if your dog normally wears harness for walking, it would be great if you can take it off for photos

- clean coat - freshly washed and brushed brushed coat will look beautiful and healthy in pictures, the collar should also be clean

- energy levels - if your dog is very energetic, some exercise or play time before the session might help them settle. Zoomies are cute but hard to photograph! Equally if you have an older dog or young puppy, make sure they’re not already tired before we get started

- come with an open mind - some places might not look exciting in real life, but make for great photos, so trust the process.

- ask me questions - if there is anything at all that you would like to know, check, or suggest, please don’t hesitate to ask me - before or during the session. My goal is to create beautiful pictures which you’ll enjoy for many years to come, and make the experience easy and fun for everyone involved.

What about studio sessions?

If the clean and classic look of studio portraits appeals to you, I will be delighted to do a studio session for your pooch! My studio is mobile, which means I can bring it to you. We’ll plan on where to set up so when I get there we both know what we’re doing. Otherwise the process is similar: bring treats to help with posing and we’ll give your pooch breaks and time to settle whenever needed. The set up and clean up time is not part of the session, so I’ll be there a bit longer than the actual photography time (please allow approx 30 min in addition to the session time).

I have more than one dog, do I need to pay extra?

You can include up to 3 dogs in one session. Or include your dog in your equine photo session. Obviously you are welcome to pose with your dog, too! If there is any doubt, I’ll be happy to discuss all the options at the time of booking.

I have other animals - do you photograph other types of pets?

Absolutely. I’ll do my best to create beautiful photos of any pet - whether it’s a dog, horse, cat, goat, a bird of prey… You get the idea. I love a challenge!

My friend has a dog, can I get a session for them?

Yes, you can. I offer digital gift vouchers and printed gift cards so you can surprise a special person with a prepaid session. They make for a fantastic gift for any occasion, and are valid for 12 months so there is plenty of time to plan and book.

That is it! I hope this blog answered your questions. If there is anything else you would like to know, please contact me here.