What I Wish More Dog Owners Knew About Dog Photography

When you think about a professional dog photography session, you probably picture the part where I show up with my camera and start taking photos of your dog....but that is actually only a tiny part of the process.

There is a lot that happens before I ever press the shutter button. From watching the weather to checking golden hour times to learning about your dog’s personality, I put a lot of thought into what will make the session not only look beautiful, but feel good for your dog, too.

It Starts Before the Session

One of the first things I look at when planning a session is the light.

I check sunrise and sunset times and pay attention to when golden hour will happen on the date we're shooting. The time of day can completely change the look and feel of a location, so choosing a session time isn't always as simple as picking an hour that works on the calendar.

Then there’s the weather.

I keep an eye on the forecast leading up to the session because the weather can affect much more than just the photographs. Temperature, wind, rain and even smoke can change how comfortable a dog is outside.

Sometimes a change in weather means adjusting our plans and that's okay. My priority isn't forcing a session to happen exactly as originally planned. It's making sure we're creating a good experience for your dog while still getting the best images we can.

This is one of the reasons I have my clients fill out a questionnaire before their session.

I want to know who I'm photographing.

Is your dog shy? Energetic? Nervous in new places? Reactive? Obsessed with treats? Easily distracted? Do they have a favourite toy or something that instantly gets their attention? These little details matter.

Every dog is different, and I don't want to walk into a session expecting every dog to behave the same way. Knowing what makes your dog comfortable gives me a better idea of how I can approach their session.

It also means I'm not meeting your dog for the first time and immediately expecting them to perform for a camera.

The Location Matters, Too

A pretty location isn't automatically the right location for every dog. I'm thinking about things like the light, scenery and time of day, but I'm also thinking about the dog who will actually be there.

A busy location may be completely fine for one dog and overwhelming for another. A dog who needs more space may benefit from somewhere quieter, while a senior dog may need a location where we don't have to walk as far.

The goal is to find somewhere that works for both the photographs and the dog because what good is a beautiful location if your dog is uncomfortable the entire time?

Then There's the Actual Session

Once we arrive, I don't expect your dog to immediately know what they're supposed to do. They don't need to understand photography, sit perfectly or pose on command and they definitely don't need to be perfect.

Sometimes we need to take a few minutes to let them settle in. Sometimes we need a break. Sometimes we need to change locations or try something completely different from what I had planned. That's part of photographing dogs.

I can have an idea in my head of what I want to create, but your dog gets a say in how we get there. If they're uncomfortable, I don't want to push them through it just because I want a particular photograph.

Of course I want your photographs to be beautiful but I also want them to feel like your dog.

I want the goofy expressions, the curious looks, the little quirks and the personality that made you fall in love with them in the first place and sometimes creating that kind of photograph takes patience.

Sometimes the best session is the one where your dog gets to relax, be themselves and, eventually, forget that the camera is even there.

For me, investing that extra time is worth it if it means your dog gets to have a positive experience and you walk away with photographs that genuinely feel like them.