I am a huge animal lover, so it is no surprise that a lot of my clients tend to be also. Great minds think alike I suppose! As a result, I always encourage my couples to bring their do to their engagement session. They are just as much a member of the family as anyone else, after all! I have put together a list of my top five ways to include your dog in your next photo session and get awesome photos of your favorite furry friend!

I am always excited to meet your furry friends and will probably greet your pet before greeting you when you arrive for your session. For the first few minutes of each session, I spend some time making sure your pet is comfortable with me. I think this step is very important!

One thing that stands out about including your dog in your session is – it’s not always as easy as you might think. Keep reading to learn how to get amazing photos with you dog during your next photo session!

 

1.) Choose a Dog Friendly Location

When deciding on a location, be sure to consider your pups well being. If you plan on letting your dog off his or her leash make sure the area is fenced in if your dog likes to run or if the space is close to a busy road. If you don’t have access to a fenced in yard, perhaps a friend’s yard or a dog park would be a good choice. You also want to be sure that the session will not stress your dog out. If your sweet pup does not like loud noises or other dogs, consider this when selecting your location! Click here to read about my favorite places for a photo session with you dog!

2.) Bring Help!

My husband Zach always helps me with sessions and if you aren’t able to bring someone to help handle the dog(s) he will always be happy to! However, having someone on hand to take the pups home once we are done with their part of the session is super helpful!

3.) Treats and Toys

If your dog is anything like mine, bribery will get you everywhere! Bring along their favorite toy or treat to your session. This can help me hold their focus long enough to get some good photos of them! And of course, I always keep a spare squeaky toy in my bag. If you need incredible homemade dog treats, contact my friend Kaitlyne at Fur Baby Gourmet Treats!

4.) Go For a Walk Before Your Session

One of the best ways to calm your dog before his/her session is by going on a walk beforehand. If you have a Siberian Husky, a run might be better than a walk, trust me!

5.) Show Off Their Tricks

If your dog has any special skills or has just learned a new trick, don’t be afraid to bring some props along or show off a little bit during your session! This will make your pup feel like a total rockstar when they get their trick right – especially when they receive praise after. Plus – it makes for some pretty cool photos!

So there you have it, Those are my top five ways to successfully include your dog in your engagement session! And as always, remember that it might take awhile for your canine to warm up to being in front of the camera, so please be patient! After awhile they will come around and we will have all kinds of fun! I look forward to meeting your furry friends during your engagement session! If you need some inspiration, check out this adorable engagement session with the amazing Otto!

-Alison

 

Don’t have a dog? No problem! Cats are welcome too!