Tips For Bringing Your Pet To Your Photo Session
I get asked this question for many of my sessions: “Can we bring along our dogs?”
My answer to that question never changes: yesyesyesyesyes! ALWAYS. Yep, it sure is a good idea to bring your pet along for your photoshoot with me!
If you consider your pet part of your family, bring them along! I encourage people with pets to consider including their furry family members in their photoshoot if it feels right to do so, but there is more that goes into planning and prepping your session than simply grabbing the leash and bringing your fur baby along for the ride.
For all my sessions, I make sure to get to know you, your needs, what you’re excited for, what you’re nervous about, all to help you feel the most comfy in front of the camera on the day of our shoot. The same goes for your furry friend. You want them to feel comfortable and in an environment that is safe and works for their personality and their needs too!
Let’s talk about a few tips to help you feel comfortable bringing your pet along for your photo session and to get them prepared for their big close-up moment:
Bring treats!
Pets are motivated by food (I mean let’s be honest, who isn’t?) By having some treats on-hand, you can introduce your pet to the photographer, and have a little extra motivation to be “the best good boy!” If your photographer has the treats, it can help your pet look in the direction of the camera, as well as getting them in a desirable position for the shot.
2. Grab a toy, a ball, or a squeaker to bring along
Having a toy or a squeaker with you can also help get your pet excited for the session and focus their energy toward the photographer/camera. If your pup loves to fetch, bringing a ball may be a good option to keep them preoccupied. Bonus: we get great action shots! It’s all about your comfort, knowing your pet’s needs, and how they’ll behave in this scenario.
3. Bring along trusted friend or family member that your pet knows
If possible, have someone you trust with your pet come along to hold the treats and help out with dog-duty so you can focus on being present on camera. It helps to have this person tag along to take your fur baby on a walk or release some extra energy without stressing you out. This person can help to get your pet’s attention during the session or entertain them while we are doing photos that your pet is not a part of. At the end of the day, you still want to look and feel good in front of the camera and you don’t want to spend all your session time trying to get your pet to behave, sit in the perfect pose, or worry about picking up poo.
4. Choose your location wisely
If you choose multiple locations for your session, I recommend having one location close to home (or in your home) so you can give your pet a break from all the excitement. If you aren’t able to have someone help out on pet-duty, choosing a location close to home or at home can be helpful to swing back by your home to let your pet calm down or rest.
I recommend choosing a location that your pet is already familiar with. Whether that is an in-home session, a favorite park that you frequent with your fur baby, a hike that you like to take your pet, or a location that is close to home, it’s always a good idea to choose a location that your pet feels comfortable in. Jumping into a new environment can be jarring for animals and they may act out of character if they aren’t ready for the new stimulation. This can be stressful for you and these emotions will come across in your photos.
5. Know your pet and how they act in certain environments.
Again, putting your animal in a new situation can cause unexpected behaviors. Knowing your pet, their needs, and behaviors is key to having a comfortable photo session with them.
Is your pet not great around other people or animals? It’ll be best to do a portion of your shoot in your living room or backyard as a contained and safe space for your pet to feel most at home.
Does your fur baby love water? (Or hate water?) Let’s consider doing your session away from any lakes, ponds, or rivers.
Is your dog super energetic? Starting with a hike, a walk, or having a more physical/involved portion of your session is recommended to keep up with the hype! If you’re wanting more posed shots with your pup, starting with higher energy can aid in tiring them out a bit and can make for more snuggly or posed shots later.
I always send out a questionnaire to get to know my clients better as well as their pets, this way I can help guide you in planning your session with your fur baby!
6. Decide if you want your pet included in the entire session, or just a portion of it.
Then let your photographer know so you all can plan your session accordingly.
7. Make sure when choosing a photographer that they are comfortable with animals.
If you are dead-set on bringing your pet on your session, make sure you find a photographer that is comfortable with animals and is able to capture pets, prior to booking. They may have allergies or be uncomfortable around animals and pets. Once you’ve established that your photographer is ay-okay with working with pets, it is a good idea to give your photographer a little insight on your fur baby’s personality. Are they friendly with strangers they’ve never met? Do they love snuggles or are more active? When you book a session with me that includes your pet(s), I provide a questionnaire where you can answer these questions, so you don’t have to worry about remembering!
Just know that you have my permission all the way to work with your pet! I am always down for bringing along your fur babe!
8. Have fun!
Your photo session is set up to be a fun, enjoyable experience, not a stressful one. Don’t worry about whether your pup is looking right at the camera, is too energetic, or isn’t behaving exactly how you’d like them to. By letting go of that worry that your fur baby isn’t doing a good job (which I assure you, they are), you’re allowing the shoot to flow and therefore capturing genuine moments from the day! Trust me, those authentic photos turn out way better anyway. ;)
After reading this, how likely are you to bring along your cherished fur baby on your next photoshoot?
All images photographed by Sam Fink of Lumosco Photo
St. Louis dance and lifestyle photographer