How I Photograph Families (Without the Stress)

Chantell Schulz • July 29, 2026

Family photos with your dog are some of the most meaningful images you'll ever have. While they may look effortless, there's a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure everyone looks their best...including your pup.


Here are a few ways I create beautiful family portraits while keeping the session relaxed and enjoyable.

Getting everyone in focus

When photographing multiple people and dogs together, I use a higher f-stop than I would for individual portraits. This helps keep everyone in focus, even if you're standing at slightly different distances from the camera.


A good starting point is f/5, adjusting higher depending on your group size. If you choose to shoot at a lower f-stop, you'll need to create more distance between yourself and your subjects while keeping everyone close together to ensure they're all in focus.

Patience Is Everything

Dogs don't understand what a family portrait is, and I never expect them to be perfect.

Sometimes your dog will look at me while someone blinks. Other times everyone is smiling except your pup is watching a bird fly by. That's completely normal.


I take my time and capture plenty of images so we aren't rushing the process.

Sometimes One Photo Isn't Enough

One of the best parts of professional editing is that I don't always need everyone looking at the camera in the exact same frame.


If your dog looks perfect in one image and someone blinks in another, I can often combine multiple photos into one final portrait where everyone looks their best. The final image looks natural while saving the stress of trying to get the "perfect" shot all at once.

We Take Breaks

Family sessions aren't about expecting your dog to stay perfectly still the entire time.


Dogs need time to be dogs. If your pup needs a few minutes to sniff around, grab a drink, explore their surroundings, or simply relax, we take a break. Giving them time to reset helps keep the session enjoyable and allows them to stay comfortable throughout the shoot.


A relaxed dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog always makes for better photos.

The Goal Is a Stress-Free Experience

Every family and every dog is different, so I let the session unfold at a pace that works for them. If your dog needs a little extra time to settle in or a quick break, that's completely okay.


By using the right camera settings, plenty of patience, thoughtful editing, and giving your dog time when they need it, I can create beautiful family portraits without expecting them to be perfect.

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