Bringing Your Dog to a Portrait Session

Your dog is part of your family, so you should consider bringing your furry friend to your session.  

Here are a few things that we can do to help your pup on the big day:

🐾    Bring along a familiar friend.

This person can dog-sit in between shots, keep feeding treats, and take the dog for a walk when we are done with dog portraits.  This is the most important part of doing family portraits with your dog.

🐾    Take a huge walk earlier in the day.

A tired pup is a lot easier to work with than one who is all wired up from not being outside all day.

🐾    Bring along plenty of treats and chewies.

High-value treats go a long way. Whatever will motivate your dog is what you should bring.

🐾    Bring a ball or a frisbee.

Your dog handler will need to have something to do to distract your dog after the photos with your dog are done.

🐾    Be flexible about location. 

Some beaches allow dogs in the evening.  Some parks are dog-friendly. Places with large crowds and a huge dog population are not going to work.

🐾    Consider starting in your yard to get photos with the pup, and then moving to a local location.

Sometimes dogs do better having a familiar location.

🐾    Understand that a dog can be as difficult as toddlers.  Be patient.  We’ll get the shot.

Cara Parker is a Massachusetts Photographer who serves busy families, seniors, and couples in New England.

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