Every few weeks I have a client ask if I can include their dogs in their family photo session. The answer is always OF COURSE!! I adore my dogs and they're always included in our family sessions because they are an important part of our family! Including your pup is also often a fun way to keep your children excited about taking photos. Everyone loves a great shot of them and their favorite furry friend.
Here are some tips for those considering bringing their furry family members to their shoot:
1. Make sure that you talk to the photographer first. While I love including pups, not everyone does.
2. Discuss the location of your shoot with the pets in mind. I have a large list of favorite locations and some of them either don't allow dogs or are not dog friendly.
3. Discuss your dog with your photographer. Are they likely to bark at any passers-by? Do they dislike strangers? Are they particularly protective of a family member?
4. Be realistic. Most photographers will do their best to get a photo of everyone - dog included - looking at the camera, but know that this isn't always possible. Instead, look for joy in your pets interactions with your family.
5. Before the session, give your dog a good workout. A walk, play ball, whatever expands energy. A tired pup will be more cooperative.
6. Bring treats! Hiding a few in your pockets is a great way to get your dog to sit, stay, smile!
7. Make sure your pup is safely leashed. Many dogs are trained to behave well and stay with owners unleashed, but make sure your surroundings are safe (and your photographer is ready) before unleashing your dog.
8. Have a safe place or a handler for when your dog isn't being photographed. I will often ask that the pup hang in the car while I make sure I capture the rest of the family first and add them in at the end. When that isn't possible, a family member or my assistant can manage the dog while we photograph everyone else.
As I put all this together, I realized that while I focused on including dogs, it's also fun to include the rest of your pets too! Now I might have to start a bucket list of pets I'd love to photograph with their families...
