If you’ve spent even a little time around my work, it’s probably pretty obvious how much I love dogs. And I wholeheartedly believe that pets are family—which means they absolutely deserve a place in your photos!

So if you’re wondering whether you can bring your dog to your photo session, my answer is ALWAYS. Bring the dog. I mean it.

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Your pup is part of your life, your adventures, your everyday routines, and your family. I love when couples and families choose to include that little (or very large) furry member of the crew in their photos. And honestly, some of my favorite images are the ones where everyone is together—dogs included. So I’ve gathered some tips for having your dogs join your photo session.

Let’s face it, they’re likely going to run the show, unless they are a slower senior dog. And that’s ok and makes it fun. When it feels a bit chaotic, that’s usually when I’m getting the best shots because they’re having fun.

 

A Few Tips for a Stress-Free Dog-Friendly Photo Session

I gathered a few tips to help you and your pup prepare for your session. The biggest one? Try not to have any high expectations of perfection. Because honestly, perfect is kind of boring anyway. 😉

Dogs are unpredictable, wonderfully weird, and occasionally convinced that the entire photo session should actually be about sniffing every square inch of the location. And I am HERE for it.

Embrace the chaos! I promise we’ll get amazing photos of you and your beloved pups—even if they don’t cooperate exactly the way you imagined. Some of the best images happen in the unexpected moments.

Here are a few simple things you can do to make the experience easier for everyone:

🐾 Arrive a little early

Give your dog some time to explore the new surroundings and get those important sniffs in before we start. Letting them check out the location first can help them settle in and feel more comfortable.

🐾 Bring a handler

If you’re able to bring a friend or family member along, they can be our official dog wrangler! This is especially helpful when we want to grab some photos without your pup. They can hang onto the leash, keep your dog nearby, and jump in whenever we need an extra set of hands.

🐾 Bring snacks

Because aren’t we all food motivated? 😉

Treats can be incredibly helpful for getting your dog’s attention, encouraging them to look toward the camera, or rewarding them for being an absolute rockstar. Bring the good stuff!

🐾 Keep them on a leash

Please keep your pup safely leashed until we’re ready to photograph them. Even the most well-behaved dog can get distracted by a squirrel, another dog, or an especially interesting smell. Safety comes first!

🐾 Bring their favorite toy

A favorite squeaky toy or beloved ball can be a great way to grab their attention when we need it. It can also help them feel more comfortable if they’re a little nervous in a new environment.

🐾 Think about their accessories

If your dog will be wearing a collar, bandana, harness, or other accessory, take a peek at the colors ahead of time and consider how they’ll coordinate with your outfits. It doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy, but a little thought here can make the final images feel really cohesive.

🐾 Schedule grooming a few days ahead

If your pup needs a bath, haircut, nail trim, or other grooming before the session, try to schedule it a few days beforehand rather than the morning of. This gives their coat a little time to settle and keeps you from having one more thing to worry about on photo day.

🐾 Consider skipping the black

As much as I love a good black outfit, black + dog hair can be a tricky combination. If your pup sheds, consider choosing another color that won’t make every little hair quite so obvious. Your future self will thank you!

And above all, don’t stress.

Your dog does not need to be perfectly behaved, perfectly groomed, or perfectly posed. They just need to show up and be themselves. We’ll work with their personality, let them take breaks when they need them, and have some fun along the way.

Because these photos aren’t about creating some perfectly polished version of your family. They’re about your family. Chaos, dog hair, goofy faces, wet noses, big personalities and all.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.