5 Things to Know Before Your Pet Portrait Event Session
Pet portrait events are some of the most fun sessions I host — short, themed, designed to give your dog a positive experience with a camera while raising funds for animal rescue.
You get updated portraits that actually look like your dog right now. Your dog (hopefully) has a blast. A rescue organization gets support. Everyone wins.
Here's how to make sure your session goes exactly as it should.
1. Bring the Good Treats
You're asking your dog to give their attention in a new place with new smells and new people. Pay them accordingly.
Skip the kibble and the Cheerios.
Bring high-value treats:
Cheese
Hot Dogs
Liverwurst
Chicken
Leftover Steak
A Super Special Toy
Small pieces matter too: you want enthusiasm between every shot, not a dog who needs 30 seconds to finish chewing.
If your dog is more motivated by a toy than food, bring their favorite one and let me know when you arrive that toys do it for your dog.
2. Arrive on Time — Or, Even Better a Few Minutes Early
Portrait events are fully booked back-to-back, which means your session starts right when it's supposed to. Being a few minutes early gives means you’ll be ready — which makes the session go better for everyone.
I send a preparation reminder 24 hours before your session — read it. It includes everything you need to know for your specific event, and I always recommend planning to arrive 10-15 minutes early to account for parking or unexpected delays. We can't hold the schedule for late arrivals, but if we're running ahead, we'll pull you in early.
3. Wait in Your Car Until We Wave You In
Events are held at private, controlled locations specifically so we can welcome dogs who are fearful or reactive — dogs who might struggle in a public setting with other dogs and people coming and going.
To make that work, we ask that all dogs wait in their cars until a team member comes to get them. Dogs should not see or interact with each other in the parking area. The walk from car to session space should be calm and positive — and we keep it that way intentionally.
4. Tell Me What Your Dog Needs
I already love your dog. But that doesn’t mean I need to pet every dog during their session.
If your dog needs more space from strangers, doesn't enjoy being approached directly, is sensitive to certain sounds, or has any quirks I should know about — tell me before we start.
I photograph dogs at these events who I can only love quietly from a distance, and that's completely fine. The goal is always a positive experience for your dog first. Beautiful portraits follow naturally from that.
5. Keep It Fun — Even If It Gets Wiggly
Your dog is going to be excited. New place, new smells, maybe a place they've been before and loved — they're going to have a lot of feelings about it.
That's okay. That's actually the point.
I don't need your dog to be perfectly still or perfectly focused or perfectly behaved. I need them to be present and happy. As long as you're relaxed and having a good time, your dog will settle into the session faster than you'd expect. The more you enjoy it, the more they do too.
Portrait events are a low-stakes, high-joy experience — for both of you.
Want to see what's coming up?
Check the Pet Portrait Events page for upcoming dates and locations.
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