Photographing the Relationship Between You and Your Dog

The Look That Says Everything

That look carries trust, history, and love.

There’s a moment I’ve learned to watch for. It’s quick—easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. The leash slackens, the nerves fade, and your dog glances up at you. Not because anyone asked them to, but because you’re their person.

We’ll make plenty of portraits of just your dog—

ears tilted, nose buried in the grass, running wild, standing majestically. But, the images that mean the most won’t always be the solo ones. They are the frames where you are there too, showing the way they looked at you like they always had.

That’s what matters. Not just what your dog looks like, but what it feels like to be loved by them.

When “Look at the Camera” Isn’t the Point

Most people who come to me in Atlanta say the same things:

• “I just want photos of my dog, not me.”

• “I never look good in pictures.”

• “I don’t think I want to be in any images.”

I get it. Being in front of the camera—especially with a dog pulling after squirrels—can feel awkward. But the truth is, you don’t need to be ready or polished. You just need to show up.

My job isn’t to pose you into something stiff. It’s to give you room to be yourselves, and to notice the unposed moments that happen naturally—the head tilt, the play, the way your dog rests their whole body against you.

How I Photograph Your Relationship

1. Forget the Posing

We’ll take a few “everyone-looking-here” photos at first. And sure, I’ll tell you where to sit or stand for the good light. But the best photos? Those come once you stop thinking about the camera.

When you kneel down, scratch their ears, hold their paw, rest your forehead against them, talk to them like you always do. That’s when the real expressions come out.

2. Let the Dog Set the Pace

Reactive, hyper, slow-moving, or stubborn—it doesn’t matter. Sessions are built around your dog’s energy and comfort, not a checklist. That’s why every session is always dog-led.

That could mean choosing a quiet location, keeping them on-leash, or taking breaks whenever they need. The goal is never to make them different than who they are—it’s to meet them where they are.

3. Focus on What’s Real

My favorite images aren’t “perfect” at all.

• A muddy paw plopped onto their human’s clean pants

• A senior dog tucked against their mom’s neck

• A dog dad mid-laugh when their pup goes rogue

Ready for Your Dog and Owner Session in Atlanta?

These are the photos you

I build sessions for people and pets who love each other in real, messy, and wonderful ways. Whether you’re in Marietta, Alpharetta, Athens, or anywhere around Atlanta, I’ll help guide you through an experience that’s calm, supportive, and true to you.

If you’ve been waiting until your dog is better trained—or until you feel more “ready”—you don’t have to. The relationship you already have is enough.

Let’s talk about your session.