DIY-ing Your Dog’s Photos
“Oh, I can totally do it myself."
I know I’ve had that thought about DIY-ing my own dog's photos.
I mean, I’m a dog photographer for goodness sakes – surely if anyone can do it, it’s me.
… then I started thinking about how LONG it takes to wrangle my own dogs. Even with help like for these images shared here.
… And how FRUSTRATED I’d get when I have no one to help hold leashes. (Thank you Michelle)
… And how good my dogs are at IGNORING me despite all my best attempts because they’re all “whatever, mom” (Even when I bring the Chick-Fil-A nuggets)
Eventually, I realized that if I was going to try and DIY my own dog photos, it was going to take me 5 TIMES as long as if I hired someone else to do it
– AND I would still have all the culling, editing, choosing finishes, picking where to hang wall art, designing the wall art, and ordering the artwork. (Which is why none of these are printed yet)
– AND I wouldn’t get as many photos. (I got 10 total usable images from 2 hours of photos)
– AND I wouldn’t be in ANY photos with my dogs. (just an unflattering angle video of my rear end)
No, thanks.
I love my DIY snapshots.
And I love capturing quick fun images with the camera I have most often (my phone).
– In fact, I have an entire free class about taking better photos of your dog with your phone.
But when it’s time for art. When I want images that I am going to hang on my walls. Then it’s time to hire a pro.
Wondering if it’s time for you to do the same?
6 Signs It's Time to Update Your Professional Dog Portraits
Your family has changed. Have you added a new pet or human to the family?
Your dog is a puppy. They are only this little for a very little time.
Your dog isn’t a puppy anymore. There are 4 key times in your dog's life to photograph them: When they first join your family. Their 1st birthday (or gotcha day). When they reach adulthood. And when they are a senior.
You find that you don’t have many (or ANY) photos of you TOGETHER. Even if you think - “I don’t want to be in the pictures” there will come a time when you will wish you had photos of the bond you share.
You’ve moved into a new space and need to update the artwork on your walls.
You’ve never actually had professional pet photos taken.
Is it time to update professional photos of your dog?
Let's start planning your dog's photo session.
Photographing Perfect Dogs
Pet photography is for picture perfect moments - not perfect dogs.
I don’t know when we decided that our dogs had to be perfect before we were worthy of having photographs of them.
Perfectly trained with perfect off leash manners…
Perfectly groomed & bathed with not a fur out of place…
I mean, I love my dogs freshly bathed and being perfectly behaved (you know, when they’re sleeping)—don’t get me wrong …
… but sometimes, in fact, MOST times my dogs are not perfect dogs - they are dogs.
They’ve rolled in something particularly disgusting at their last potty break before bed (Lira), or insisting on looking exactly the wrong way (Carolina), or just completely ignored me calling his name for 10 minutes because he’s BUSY (Mikey).
AND THAT’S OKAY.
Your Signature Session is designed expecting that your dogs will be ACTUAL dogs—
I'm not photographing perfect dogs…
… or stuffed animals…
… or only champion obedience dogs…
… or even dogs off leash.
I photograph dogs - imperfect dogs, stinky dogs that spent the first 10 minutes of our session rolling in a dead animal, dogs that only work for bribes (the GOOD treats), silly dogs, wild dogs, happy dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, show dogs, sports dogs, working dogs, your best friend dog, real perfectly LOVED dogs.
What does this mean for YOU?
You’re EXACTLY the type of person that I work with all the time and your dogs are exactly the types of dogs I want to work with.
Consider this your official free pass to enjoy your dogs exactly as they are, celebrate them exactly as they are, and STOP putting off scheduling your session.
A Private Location for Dog Photography in Eatonton, GA
Wyatt is a dog for whom life can be scary. He’s tiny and cute and fluffy and really flipping adorable, and that means people cross his boundaries a lot. They want to touch and cuddle and smoosh his fluff. But that’s really scary to Wyatt and he wants to say no, and he can’t. So Wyatt’s mom is his voice and his advocate. Wyatt’s mom detailed in her questionnaire that Wyatt is nervous of strangers and he battles a lot of anxiety.
So, my number one goal for Wyatt’s session was to manage his environment to set him up for success. We needed a location without other dogs, without other people, and with minimal distractions so Wyatt could just be Wyatt without all the worries.
Which is why I suggested a private dog photography location in Eatonton, GA - also known as Heartwood Acres.
Heartwood Acres is a wedding venue when it’s not a private dog photography location, so for weekday locations we get to use an absolutely gorgeous location without any other pets or people. Renting a private location for dog photography is ideal for dogs that might be reactive or anxious - so let’s take a look at some of the photos spots around Heartwood Acres so you can see if it’s the right dog photography location for you & your dog.
A note from Wyatt's Mom:
Thank you for doing such a great job with Wyatt's photos and album. I am so thankful to have photos of Wyatt that capture his joy and that I'll be able to enjoy for years to come. Advocating for him has been hard for me to do/learn, and you certainly made it easy and comfortable. Thanks again for being a safe stranger for Wyatt.
Backlit Portraits at a Private Dog Photography Location
Most of the private dog photography locations I have available for photo sessions moonlight as wedding venues on the weekend — ok, ok… really they are wedding venues that moonlight as dog photography locations for me.
What you might not know about wedding venues is that many of them are designed around evening light for portraits. I just love this gorgeous evening light filtering through the trees onto Wyatt highlighting all that beautiful fur.
Heartwood Acres in Eatonton has a beautiful grassy lawn area with a split rail fencing that adds beautiful rustic charm to backlit portraits. The yard is large enough for a few action shots too. We were able to capture Wyatt in all his fur flying glory running happily though the field.
(And PS. Wyatt remained leashed throughout his entire session. Leashes were removed in Photoshop.)
Wyatt & Roses at Heartwood Acres in Eatonton, GA
I love finding florals to use as a background in most every session when I can find them.
After we spent some time getting Wyatt warmed up to me and the camera, we moved over to the roses growing alongside Heartwood Acres. Wyatt’s images near the knockout roses remind me of a painted portrait and I love how soft the light is at this part of our private location.
Using a Private Dog Photography Location Is A Great Option for Anxious or Reactive Dogs
Having Wyatt’s session at Heartwood Acres, a private dog photography location in Eatonton, GA, allowed us to really create an environment for Wyatt that let us set him up for success.
Wyatt’s mom had brought all his favorite treats and his support grandma to help too during his session as we worked to keep him enjoying his time with me. And I never touched Wyatt. I mostly ignored him - keeping myself neutral. A few times he approached me for a sniff and we just let him do his own thing, no pressure. And Wyatt had a great time! He’s happy and relaxed in his portraits. He ate tasty snacks and quickly learned the click of the shutter worked like clicker training and the treat was on the way.
Would a private location for your dog's photo session help us set them up for success?
What You Should Know Before You Schedule A Memorial Photography Session for Your Dog
Thinking about what our lives will look like when it’s missing a very important furry heartbeat at our side feels like looking into an abyss, just impossible to fathom. Anticipatory grief, navigating difficult veterinary diagnoses, juggling specialist appointments for your pet, dealing with lost mobility, preparing for after the loss - the list of challenges can be daunting as you face the end of life for your dog. Memorial pet photography can help you process your feelings, celebrate the life of your pet, and create artwork you’ll treasure in the years to come.
All your emotions are ok to feel
Memorial dog photography sessions have a lot of different emotions. There is joy at spending time with your pet. There is laughter as you share the adventures you've shared. There is sadness knowing things will be changing. There can be anger because it’s unfair. All of those emotions are ok and it’s ok to feel all of them, some of them, none of them, or more than one emotion at the same time.
Our goal for an end of life pet photography session isn’t to make your memorial session an only sad occasion. Yes, there may be some sad moments and acknowledgement of the loss you’re preparing for, but your memorial pet session is also a celebration of the life your pet has lived, the journey you have been on together, and the relationship you have shared.
As we plan for your session I’ll ask you about your favorite memories, the things your pet most loves, and their most unique physical traits. I’ll use these to design a custom session that will help create a new favorite memory for you with your dog and let you hold on to those memories with an album of your most loved images.
The end of life pet photography sessions that mean the most are filled with time to snuggle close, favorite treats & toys, and most importantly - time you’ve set aside to reflect on the relationship you share.
How do you know it’s time to schedule an end of life session for your dog?
No one has ever told me that they regretted having photos taken, but I have had so many express regret for waiting until it was too late. I encourage you to have photos done now. Whether you have just gotten a difficult diagnosis or just realize that the time we have is never enough - if you’ve thought about memorial pet photography, it’s time to reach out to a photographer.
End of life sessions always have priority booking. When inquiring, please let me know this is a memorial session so that we can work together to schedule your session as soon as possible.
The images become more important with time
I had an end of life session for my horse a few months before she passed, but the image box of portraits I had ordered didn’t arrive until a week after her death. I picked up my portraits and put them on a shelf in my office. I couldn’t even open the box until weeks later. I needed some space between the loss and the memories represented by the photos. And it’s ok.
Now that box and those images mean the world to me. I am so glad I have them, but for several months after her passing I couldn’t even acknowledge them - the hole in my heart just felt too big. I now find myself smiling when I see them displayed on the bookcase and can let myself remember all the hours we spent together.
I have found the first thing I do when facing grief is look for photos. Whether it’s a person, or a dog, or a horse that I have lost - I want to find the photos.
90% of Pet Parents Choose An Album from their Dog Photo Session
Yep, 90% - I did the math. But, why do so many pet parents choose an album from their dog’s photo session to display their images?
In this post, I’m sharing 3 reasons the album is the number choice for pet parents!
“I love the album - it's such a beautiful keepsake of my boys that I proudly show to anyone who walks through our front door.”
― Nicole & Seth
Pet Parents to Barkington & Neville
Narrowing Down Your Favorite Images is Hard -
Choosing an Album Let’s You Display More of Your Dog’s Photos
The most exciting part of working together is getting to see your images for the first time, but it’s also the hardest part as you make decisions about how you want to enjoy your favorites.
After all, art is meant to be lived with!
Most of my clients find a few stand out portraits they immediately know are perfect for creating a gallery wall or a statement piece of wall art.
But, there are so many other great images that you love too. Choosing a photo album from your dog’s session lets you display your favorite 20, 40, or more images.
And the photo album means enjoying all the details, bloopers, and story telling images in addition to the portraits!
Choosing An Album Tells the Whole Story:
Portraits, Candid Images, Details, & Bloopers From Your Dog’s Session Can Be All Be Included Inside Your Album
Your album is a personal story book all about your dog. As you turn the thick silk pages you’ll see gorgeous portraits of your dog of course, but with an album you can also include silly faces you love, the close up details of those perfect fuzzy toes, the candid moments from the session, and even a blooper or two!
While that photo of your dog clutching her favorite (disgusting) slobber dripping tennis ball clamped delicately in her jaws might not be the right choice for over the mantle, it’s exactly right for the pages of her album devoted to her love of fetch.
And that ridiculous face he makes after chomping his favorite treat? You know the one where he’s got a big goofy grin, his tongue lolling to one side, and maybe a little head tilt as he begs for another one. That face that is so him belongs in an album that you can revisit now, tomorrow, and in 15 years.
Your Dog’s Album Can Be Personalized to Your Story
Every Album is Custom Designed For You
This isn’t your grandmama’s photo album! (And I say that lovingly because I cherish my grandmama’s photo albums full of lovingly glued in prints).
Once you’ve decided on an album from your dog’s photo session, we’ll start customizing! I’ll design an album layout highlighting your favorite images and telling the story of our session.
And then we’ll go over covers. From cameo covers that showcase a favorite image like a frame to subtly beautiful blind debossing on the cover with your dog’s name we can make your album cover a perfect fit for your home.
As an extra special detail we can foil stamp a special message on the inside back cover. It’s a the perfect place for the year of the session, your dog’s “official” name, or a favorite nickname!
Last year 90% of dog parents chose an album of their dog’s images from our session making the album the clear favorite.
It’s easy to see why it’s the front runner when you can include ALL your favorite images - even the details, candids, & bloopers - in a completely custom way.
Ready to create your dog’s album?
End of Life Pet Photography
End of Life Pet Photography can be a hard topic.
The list of challenges can be daunting as you face the end of life for your beloved dog, cat, or horse
Anticipatory grief
People dismissing your loss as “just a dog”
Navigating difficult veterinary diagnoses
Juggling specialist appointments for your pet
Dealing with lost mobility
Preparing for life after the loss
For so many of us, our pets are who we spend the most time with, who we come home to every day, and our source of truly unconditional love.
End of life pet photography can help you celebrate the life of your pet and create artwork you’ll treasure in the years to come.
End of Life Pet Photography Sessions Aren’t Sad
An end of life pet photography session doesn’t have to be a sad occasion. Yes, there may be some sad moments and acknowledgement of the loss you’re preparing for, but this session is a celebration of the life your pet has lived, the adventures you have been on together, and the relationship you have shared.
As we plan for your session I’ll ask you about your favorite memories, the things your pet most loves, and most unique physical traits. Using these to design a custom session will help create a new favorite memory for you with your dog, cat, or horse and let you hold on to those memories with an album of your most loved images.
The end of life pet photography sessions that mean the most are filled with time to snuggle close, favorite treats & toys, and most importantly - time you’ve set aside to reflect on the relationship you share.
Where Should You Have An End of Life Pet Photography Session?
Where to have your end of life pet photography session will depend on what you envision for the final artwork as well as the needs of your pet.
An Outdoor Location:
Many of my clients celebrating the life of their dog choose to have their session at an outdoor location. Local parks offer beautiful natural settings and many can be accessible even for dogs with limited mobility. I compiled a few of my favorite places for dog photography in a comprehensive Location Guide. Click here to download the guide.
Your Home:
Your home can also make a great location. My clients with cats often choose to have their end of life session in their home as cats traditionally don’t enjoy traveling. Dogs with more advanced conditions or more severely limited mobility may also be best suited for an at home end of life pet photography session.
The Barn:
And lastly, horses are photographed at their home - the barn. For horses, we most often capture black background portraits at the barn aisle and if your horse is feeling up to it - we’ll also use the pasture areas for outdoor portraits.
When is the right time to do an End of Life Pet Photography Session?
No one has ever told me that they regretted having photos taken, but I have had so many express regret for waiting until it was too late.
I encourage you to have photos done now.
Whether you have just gotten a difficult diagnosis or just realize that the time we have is never enough - if you’ve thought about end of life pet photography, it’s time to reach out to a pet photographer.
End of life sessions always have priority booking. When inquiring, please let me know this is an end of life session so that we can work together to schedule your session as soon as possible.
How to Hang Wall Art - Portraits, Photographs, & Paintings - Like a Pro
Imagine this - We’ve finished your dog’s photo session & you’ve decided on your favorite images.
You know you want to see that favorite furry face on your wall everyday, but…
How high up the wall do you put it?
What size will fit over the couch?
And, how high do you hang it?
At the end of this post you’ll know how to hang wall art like a pro.
First, the only RULE to follow when hanging wall art of your dog is that it makes you happy. I’m going to share some pro guidelines in this post - but please, consider them a suggestion & feel free to disregard if something else makes you happy. This isn’t brain surgery. The entire reason you’re hanging wall art of your dog is because it makes you smile.
60% - Wall Art Guideline #1
So many people worry about ordering an image too large, but I’ve only ever had regrets from people who ordered too small.
Sure, an 8 x 10 sounds kind of big and a 16 x 20 must be HUGE, especially if everything you have is a 4 x 6 or a 5 x 7 around the house - but, let’s try it.
Tape a piece of paper to your wall and then stand back to look at it.
Go ahead, I’ll wait…
An 8x10 looks awfully little on a big wall all by itself.
Impact for Over Most Couches
Generally your wall art should be about 60% of the size of the piece of furniture it hangs over - or about 60% of the wall space if there isn’t furniture. If your couch is about 70 inches in length which means your art should be at least 40 inches wide - which is why a Impact size wall art (about 30 x 44 inches) is my most recommended size to hang over a couch.
Planning for a Gallery Wall
If you love the look of a gallery wall (a collection of wall art hanging together) the 60% rule still applies, but you’ll want to measure the outside dimensions of the full gallery.
Here with this long sectional 4 Grand (20 x 40) size pieces look at home and the height of the vertical artwork balances the high ceilings.
Grand Fits Above the Mantel
Most mantels are between 55 - 75 inches in width which means your art should be at least 36 inches wide - which is why a Grand size wall art (about 36 x 24 inches) seems well suited for most mantels.
60 Inches - Wall Art Guideline #2
Most recommendations say to place the center of the artwork, or the focal point, 60 inches above the floor.
If you consider the average height of people, it makes sense for the focal point to be at eye level. Many people (myself included as I look at the dog photos on the wall in my living room where I am currently sitting and writing this) tend to hang their artwork too high.
So while I add moving my wall art down to my never ending to-do list, let’s move on to guideline number 3.
6 Inches - Wall Art Guideline #3
If we go back to talking about hanging wall art over your couch - you’ll want to hang your art about 6 inches above the back of the couch. You can go as high as 10 inches, but 6 is the minimum (and fits with my rule of 6’s to make it easy to remember).
Now you’re hanging wall art like a pro and ready to fill your walls with the adorable faces you love most.
Yes, Even Your Dog Can Have Professional Pet Photos
How do you know if your dog can have professional pet photos?
Maybe you worry that your dog is too:
Hyperactive
Reactive
Untrained
Blind or deaf
Timid, Afraid, or Nervous
In this blog, I’m going to share some tips & tricks I’ve learned as a professional pet photographer to help EVERY dog succeed during our dog photo session!
My Dog is Hyperactive
Do most of your dog photos look like a blur?
Having a dog that seems to be always bouncing off the walls can be tough. You’ve probably found that the best photos you’ve managed with your phone are sleeping pictures because everything else you try results in a blur across the screen.
Here’s where working with a professional pet photographer with professional level gear will really make a difference in photographing your dog.
Super fast shutter speeds are capable of almost literally freezing time - we’re talking freezing the flutter of a hummingbird wing fast. There’s a reason camera bodies & lenses matter - and a super fast shutter speed for your hyperactive dog is one of them!
My Dog is Dog or People Reactive
Having a reactive dogs is probably in the top 3 reasons people wait on hiring a professional pet photographer, so you’re not alone.
When your dog struggles with seeing other dogs out on a walk or is unsure about meeting new people; it’s scary to think about having him photographed where other dogs might walk by or he might react to the photographer holding a giant eyeball (camera lens) right in his face.
If your dog is people or dog reactive - or just easily overstimulated - you should definitely hire a professional DOG photographer.
As someone who has worked with reactive dogs (both as a photographer & foster mom) I have taken professional dog training classes to help me set these dogs up for success.
By using a longer focal length I can be 20 or more feet away from your dog throughout the session keeping the pressure low. I understand dog body language and can read what your dog is saying.
A professional pet photographer is also an expert at removing leads - so your dog remains completely safe just a few feet from you at all times and you still receive gorgeous images where you never know there was once a leash.
And lastly, I can help you find a location that’s suitable for whatever your dog needs. We can rent a private venue ensuring we’re the only people and dogs on the property or we can use a studio where we can be safely inside throughout the session.
Wyatt is a dog for whom life can be scary. He’s tiny and cute and fluffy and really flipping adorable, and that means people cross his boundaries a lot. They want to touch and cuddle and smoosh his fluff. But that’s really scary to Wyatt, and he wants to say no, and he can’t. So Wyatt’s mom is his voice and his advocate.
Wyatt’s mom detailed during our planning that Wyatt is nervous of strangers and he battles a lot of anxiety and reactivity. And then before she got Wyatt out of the car she spoke to me again so I would be prepared for Wyatt’s needs. She brought all his favorite treats and his emotional support grandma to help too.
We rented Heartwood Acres, a beautiful private wedding venue in Eatonton, Georgia for his session so we didn’t have to worry about strangers or other dogs during his photo session. I never touched Wyatt during our time together. In fact, I mostly ignored him. A few times he approached me for a sniff and we just let him do his own thing, no pressure. And Wyatt had a great time!
He’s happy and relaxed in his portraits. He ate tasty snacks and quickly learned the click of the shutter worked like clicker training and the treat was on the way right from mom who was just feet away on the other the end of the leash.
Working with a professional dog photographer means working with someone who has the skills and understanding to let your dog be themselves.
My Dog Has No Training or Manners
“But my dog doesn’t even know how to sit!”
I hear this all the time - and guess what? Your dog doesn’t have to know any commands to have a successful professional pet photography session.
Sure, having some basics can help move the session along, but there are beautiful images to be had of your dog just doing their dog thing. Dogs standing, walking, running, climbing, and exploring all make for beautiful natural poses - with NO training required.
I’ve spent years working with shelter & rescue dogs photographing them for their adoption pictures - like Dunkin pictured here. Many of these dogs not only have no training, they are dealing with a new place, new situation, and new people. My experience getting photos of these
My Dog is Blind or Deaf
Whether your dog was born with a disability or has lost his vision or hearing due to advanced age - you can still have beautiful professional pet photos.
As humans, we process the world through our eyes (that’s probably why you're drawn to professional pet photography - you like the way it looks.)
Our dogs however, process the world through their NOSE.
When working with any dog, but especially those that are missing another sensory input, knowing that dogs see the world with their incredible sniffer, is an invaluable tool I’ve learned as a professional pet photographer. On more than one occasion I have arrived home smelling like I use tuna fish scented lotion and liverwurst eau du parfum.
We can direct your dog’s “gaze” by drawing their nose.
Here adorable Philomena and her brother Vito pose on the bridge at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. Vito has been blind since he was young due to a genetic condition, but his nose is still top notch.
My Dog is Timid, Nervous, or Afraid
I’m an introvert and my wife says she spent the first 6 months of our courtship just trying to get me to talk to her.
Meeting new people in new situations can be hard for us as people - even when it’s something we want to do and when we understand that it’s just butterflies in our stomach and the new thing is actually going to eat us.
Dogs don’t experience that the same way. Shy dogs can’t reason that if they just get brave and say hi they might be rewarded with a new friend (or some tasty morsel).
And your dog probably isn’t thinking about the beautiful pictures you’re going to have together.
So here’s what I do as a professional dog photographer: I focus first on making this a fun & positive experience for your dog.
Maybe that means I spend the first 10 minutes of our session just letting him sniff everything in my camera bag and maybe the next 5 minutes is about clicking the shutter and handing out treats before I ever bring the camera to my eye. Like we did with Bonnie the sheltie pictured above.
Or maybe that means we choose a location we know will be quiet and where you can take a couple practice walks to get used to the area in the weeks leading up to our session.
Or maybe it just means your dog needs more space during the session and I’ll use my long lens and calm inside voice so he’s comfortable.
Or maybe you both attend a few Pet Portrait Events first to warm up to me and the “game” of having their photo made.
We will work together to make your dog successful!
After more than 10 years working with dogs, I can confidently say I can photograph even your dog. Not only do I know that even your dog can have professional pet photos - I guarantee all my work. If I can’ deliver images you absolutely love - I’ll refund 100%.
What to Wear - A Guide for Photos with Your Dog
Getting dressed every morning can be hard enough when you aren’t planning to be in front of a camera, wrangle your dog, and look your best doing it all at the same time.
So I totally get why choosing what to wear for your dog’s photo session can trigger even the most fashion-forward among us to fling everything we own to the floor and declare that “we have absolutely nothing to wear!”
Now, before you start panic buying on Amazon — let’s talk broad strokes about what works best for photos.
Comfy & Confident
Choose Your Photo Shoot Clothes that are Comfy & Confident First
What does that mean? It means don’t worry about trying to become someone completely new just for photos.
If you’re a t-shirt and jeans kind of person - you can elevate your jeans and T’s, but maybe don’t switch to a lycra mini dress and stilettos for the photo.
Take a look at your favorite items in your closet - if they fit great, make you feel good, and aren’t too worn consider wearing those. Or, maybe buy something new that still has that same feel.
“My fashion philosophy is, if you’re not covered in dog hair, your life is empty”
Match Your Clothes to the Location & the Season
Think about the conditions at the location where we’ll be photographing you & your dog.
You’ll want to be warm enough (or cool enough - Georgia summers anyone?!), have pain-free feet, and look comfortable in the environment.
Be sure to check my location guide for details on how much walking, hiking, hill climbing, or paved paths are involved at your chosen spot!
Plan for kneeling, leaning down, & sitting to be closer to dog height throughout the session, so make sure your clothes don’t have any wardrobe malfunctions when you’re moving around.
Think Texture & Movement!
Textures give depth and visual interest to your clothing and contrasts beautifully with the textures of fur. Lace, corduroy, denim, flocking, knits, and woven material all add to the style of your clothes.
Pick fabrics that move and flow with you. Ones that blow in the wind, filter the late afternoon sun, and glow in the morning light. Natural fibres like linen, cotton, or wool are all great options.
Avoid stiff garments any anything that has a tendency to get tucked in weird spots and need lots of adjusting to look right.
Create A Color Story
I’m not saying we should live in a sad beige world, but neutrals are always a great idea - especially when we’re all trying to complement the star of this photo shoot — your dog!
Earthy tones and neutrals go with pretty much every dog’s fur and every location.
Choose a palette of 3-4 colors. Start with a couple neutrals: cream, white, black, gray, tan, khaki and then add 1-2 other colors found in the environment: navy, hunter green, mustard, blush, rose, sky blue. Jewel tones are beautiful for fall and winter while pastels are great for spring and summer.
By choosing one or two colors that blend nicely together, and having the rest in neturals, the whole family will photograph beautifully together.
Good Color Palettes
Good Color Palettes
A Few DON’Ts - you don’t want to be the SAME color as your dog or they’ll disappear and you don’t want to wear ALL black if you have a white dog or ALL white with a black dog as the contrast is too sharp.
Color Tone Counts
Pick separates that are equally dark or equally light. If you’re wearing a light colored top, choose light colored bottoms. If you choose a dark top, choose dark bottoms. This monochromatic value is universally flattering making everyone look a little taller and a littler leaner.
Prints & Patterns - A Cautionary Tale
Mixing & matching patterns & prints is a tricky task, and it’s super difficult to do well. It can also compete with the pattern of your dog’s fur.
Avoid large scale bold patterns and prints all together as they draw the eye in the photo.
Subtle smaller patterns work best. Classic patterns are usually best - swiss dots, polka dots, plaid, flannels, and florals are great options - and work really well when the colors aren’t high contrast.
BEWARE - Some fine details and small prints can even create a moiré pattern in the image which is a large-scale interference pattern on the image that can’t be edited out!
ABOUT LOGOs: Clothing with words or big, bold logos on it is distracting. Since Adidas isn’t paying for your photos, skip the big brand names on your clothes.
However, if the logo or phrase is in theme with the shoot, & fits your personality, I’m all for it.
Add Layers When Possible
Add layers to create textures create more visually interesting photographs. Jewelry, scarves, jackets, cardigans, vests, & sweaters are easy ways to quickly change up your look and elevate your style.
Shoes
You can’t have come this far, painstakingly planning your outfit, only to stop at your ankles. Especially since your shoes will show in A LOT of the images since they are close to your dog!
If you wear heels like a pro, I definitely won’t tell you not to do that! But remember, we’ll be walking around on some possibly uneven terrain, traversing hills, wandering through grass, and stomping through dirt — all of which I wouldn’t want to do in my louboutins. (Unless we’re planning a glam session, in which case bring those red bottom shoes!)
Select the right shoes based on the location. Being barefoot makes sense on the beach and at home, and boots are beautiful in the woods.
Leather is great for boots, and know that sandals are better than flip-flops.
Shoes are great place to add some personality too! Cool Converse sneakers, lace up boots that have been worn to perfection, bold color, a striking pattern can all be perfect to jazz up the classic knee down photo with your dog!
Make Up & Hair
The goal of photo ready make-up is to look like you on your best day. So do whatever you need to do to feel confident and beautiful. Some clients wear no make-up at all, others take a little more time with their usual routine, and some call in a pro for a perfectly polished look. Most dog photo sessions are casual affairs so a “no make-up makeup look” works best.
For hair… my preference is down and little lived in. Messy buns are where it’s at for real life — I totally get it! With your hair down, you get movement and texture and interest. Bring the scrunchie for the walk back to the car.
A quick note about your nails: Hands tell such a story about who you are and the relationship with your dog. Photos of hands running through fur make beautiful detail images for your album. But, sometimes photographs magnify bright nail polish, chipped manicures, and dirty fingernails. And once you see it, you can’t un-see it. Consider treating yourself to a subtle manicure or make sure your nails are neat and tidy before the shoot.
Lastly - Consider Your Home Decor
This is a real pro tip that can take your images from pictures to art in your home.
For example, If you wear bright red formal wear for the session, but your home is casual and beachy - the wall art will look out of place. But a navy and neutral color palette would be perfectly at home.
Choose clothing colors that will coordinate in your home and styles that compliment your decor tastes.
5 Things To Prepare Before Your Dog’s Photo Shoot
What do you need for your dog's photo shoot?
Have you ever had that dream where you show up to school naked?
Lets avoid that feeling of being completely unprepared by making sure you’ve got everything you need before you show up for your session… fully clothed please.
This blog is your guide to what you need for your dog prior to your dog photography session.
1. A Simple 6 Foot Leash
It may be dog photography’s worst kept secret, but in case you didn’t know, 99% of the dogs on my website were wearing a leash at their photoshoot!
You simply cannot be a professional dog photographer without becoming an expert at leash removal in Photoshop.
Not only does the leash keep your dog safe, the leash is also an invaluable tool in helping your dog understand where we’d like them to sit or stand since we can’t simply tell them to stand right in this sun spot and look to your left.
There are a few things to consider about your leash to make removal in post production as simple as possible.
Bring a solid color 6 foot leash - Black, Neutral Colored Biothane, or Leather Leashes work best. Show leads are also a GREAT option if your dog is used to wearing one.
Help watch out for leashes wrapped around legs & paws.
2. A Photogenic Collar
While leashes are removed from your final selections, your dog’s collar will most likely remain in their portrait, so it’s worth a few minutes to think about which collar will best suit your dog’s photos.
For a timeless look, a simple leather (or faux leather) collar in a neutral or fur matching color will keep your dog’s face as the star of the image.
Since it’s a special occasion, you could also consider a collar with a little extra glam factor. I love the designs from Paco Collars (handmade in California & available locally at Highland Pet Supply in Atlanta).
Or, if leather or bedazzled doesn’t suit your dog, try something solid color or with a fun pattern can be a great choice. The Foggy Dog makes gorgeous collars in beautiful patterns and even luxe velvet.
This might be a good time to purchase a new collar if you find that your dog’s current collar looks worn or tattered.
PS. If you really love a naked look - consider using a show lead (a very thin rolled leather leash) that is narrow enough to be fully removed in post processing.
3. Leave the Mr. T Tags Off
Since our dogs don’t have pockets, they need to wear their ID tag, and rabies tag, and microchip registration tag, and city license tag.
And suddenly that beautiful collar you choose is dominated by neon plastic dangling tags designed to draw attention. Those tags are great for if your dog were to get lost, but maybe aren’t so great for a portrait hanging on your wall.
Just for your session, I recommend removing all tags unless they are particularly beautiful or sentimental.
(If you’re looking for a beautiful & personality filled tag, check out Fetching Tags, a local Atlanta based company that hand makes the best tag I have ever purchased for any dog.)
4. Harnesses Are Great for Walking - Not Photographs
Wow! Who knew dogs had so many accessories to consider!
Before we wrap up talking about your dog’s wardrobe, I do want to mention harnesses.
I completely get the appeal of walking with a harness. My own dogs all wear harnesses on our walks. Your dog’s harness distributes the pressure from the leash, offers better control, and protects their throat.
They also block a big part of the chest, typically come in bright bold colors, and don’t exactly elevate your dog’s picture to the level of photographic art we’re going for here.
I 100% support wearing a harness for walking and even traveling between photo locations when necessary, but be prepared to switch to the collar & leash only for your actual portraits. Harnesses cannot be removed in post production.
5. Now to the Good Stuff - Treats & Rewards for your Dog’s Photo Session
When it comes to your dog’s photo shoot, it’s time to bring out the good stuff. We’re going to be asking for a lot of their time & attention and we want your dog to be excited to work for the camera.
You know your dog best, so bring the high value rewards. This is time for special occasion treats.
Some ideas include:
Boiled Chicken Breast
Leftover Steak
Cheese
Peanut Butter
Hot Dogs
Cream Cheese
Be sure to bring options so we can keep things exciting. You never know when our supermodel will need some variety.
There you have it, 5 thing your dog needs to be prepared for their photoshoot! And since your dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs, I’ve created a packing checklist for you.
Click here to download the FREE Packing List for Your Dog’s Photo Shoot!