How to Prepare Your Dog for Your Photoshoot

Every owner wants their photoshoot to go well, for their dog to be both on their best behavior but also relaxed and happy. I put together this guide to help you prepare your pup for this experience. A photo session is of course a brand new thing for most dogs, so it’s only natural that they might get a little overexcited or anxious at the beginning. But during the shoot, the #1 priority is your dog’s comfort and happiness, they’ll be given plenty of time to adapt to the situation and won’t be asked to do anything they do not want to. However, there are a few steps you can take prior to the photoshoot to make this process easier and smoother for both you and your pup.

Should Your Dog be Hyped up or Tired for the Session?

The short answer is: it depends on your dog. If you have a young, active or easily excited dog, it can help them if you go on a walk or play a bit before your shoot. The goal is not to completely tire them, rather to calm them enough that they are able to pay attention to you. For a pup who is reactive to new environments it is also advisory to arrive about 10 minutes early to give them even more time to get used to their surroundings. On the other hand, if your dog is older, tires quickly, or just very calm make sure they get plenty of rest before their session so that they have enough energy to concentrate. The same goes for very young puppies, no matter how active or hyper they are, a puppy will always tire and lose focus fast, so it’s better if they come to their session with a fresh mind and lots of energy.

Practice Commands

While it is in no way necessary for your dog to know any specific commands or fancy tricks, or even to be off leash, for certain photos it can help massively if you practice some of the basics, like a sit and stay. There are of course no guarantees that in an unknown environment when they’re excited, they will be able to do everything the same way they did at home, but something that can improve our chances of that is a couple of training sessions, perhaps even in a place with distractions. Though this is definitely not obligatory, but in case you have any specific tricks in mind you would like to capture in your images, it’s good to go over them with your dog before the session just in case.

Don’t Overthink It

While we all want our dogs to put their best foot forward, trying to perfect every detail may be counterproductive in the end. Dog photography is the kind of thing where there are too many variables to control, from the weather to the environment, and most importantly, our dog’s mood. It is very common that in a new and exciting situation some pups can’t or won’t do some of even the simplest things that otherwise they do easily. So, while it is always great if you have some ideas of the kind of pictures you want to take, don’t be disappointed if your dog decides not to cooperate. I always say we work with what the dog is willing to give us, and there has never been an instance where we weren’t able to take any good photos. So, try not to stress about how your dog behaves, because any behavior is fine. Don’t get mad if they get themselves dirty, sometimes that’s inevitable. And trust me, if you are calm that will affect their mood positively as well.

Don’t Forget the Essentials

There aren’t many things you need for a photography session, just the regular items you would probably bring on a walk as well. Nevertheless, make sure you pack your pup’s favorite treats and toys that you can motivate them with. As for a leash, if they can be let off leash, bring whatever you prefer, however if you would like to keep your dog on leash for the shoot try to bring one that is long and as thin as possible. (That just makes it easier to hide the lead in the photos or edit it out.) Additionally, unless you specifically want a harness in your pictures, it is better to have your dog wear a collar instead. Some water and a bowl are also advisory for longer sessions or shoots in the summer.

And with that you are all ready for your photoshoot! In case you haven’t booked your session yet, you can inquire and secure a date here!