Photographing Your Pup

One of my loves is animals, especially horses and dogs (if you can't tell 😉). My dogs, Kona and Coal, are like my family and I bet yours feel like part of your family. Many families have photo sessions to capture a moment in time, especially to document the growth of the family.

I wanted to give you a couple helpful tips on how to make the most of any photo session you would have with your fur baby.

Like many animals, dogs can pick up if you're excited, anxious, nervous, or stressed, so put your mind at ease so that your pup will be at ease, too.

First off, what does your pup love? Is it a tennis ball, their Kong, a special stuffed animal, or are they just really food driven? It'll be important to bring something that can get their attention and reward them for a good "sit" and "stay."

If your canine companion gets nervous or anxious, it would be a good idea to bring them early to the location, especially if it's their first time there. That way they can sniff around, play some fetch, and get comfortable. Let them know that everything is going to be okay and there's no new surprises for them.

Something else to think about would be helping them look their best. Maybe they have regular grooming sessions or baths. Think about scheduling any grooming appointments at least a couple days before the photo session so that you can have your fur baby look their best. You don't want them to look all shaggy when they usually have a tailored look; just don't try anything new before the session.

​One last thing to think about is collars and leashes. It's always important to have control of your dog. You'd never want them to slip away chasing after a squirrel or cat. Bring what ever leash and collar you'd like in photos, and if you have more than one collar, bring it too! If you absolutely don't want the leash in the photo, then it might take a little time to get the positioning right. But as we're doing that, don't stress about it because your pup will pick those emotions up and become anxious. Your dog is happiest when you're relaxed and happy.

And the biggest thing to remember is that dogs have minds of their own. They may not behave perfect for their photo session, but they will always love you. So go with the flow and don't stress, and I hope these tips and tricks will help with getting some great photos of your best friend.

What to pack:
Favorite toy(s) to get their attention
Treats as rewards
Leash and collar
Maybe a bandana so that their outfit can match, too!
Brush, if they have long hair so you can fluff it up (totally optional!)