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Simple ways to help everyone feel relaxed and create photographs you’ll love.
The most important thing is not perfect behaviour. It is giving your dog the freedom to be themselves while we create a varied, natural collection of photographs.
Before coming in for your dog’s photo shoot, it is helpful to have a little bit of a plan in mind about the types of photographs you would like.
Please feel free to bring along any ideas you have. You may have seen photographs on my website or elsewhere that you particularly like. During the session, we can combine your ideas with our own and take plenty of different photographs, giving you a really good selection to choose from.
Consider whether you would like photographs of:
· Your dog on their own
· Your dogs together, if you have more than one
· Your children or individual family members with the dog
· The whole family together
· A mixture of all of these
You do not need to make every decision beforehand. We can discuss your ideas when you arrive and come up with a plan for the session together.
If you or other family members will be photographed with your dog, think about how your clothing will look alongside the colour of their coat.
Try to create some contrast. For example, if you have a black dog, avoid wearing black clothing, as your dog may blend into it too much.
If several people are going to be in the photographs, choose colours that coordinate without matching exactly. Avoid lots of bold patterns, large logos or anything too distracting.
A simple colour theme usually works well. For example, with a brown dog, white and shades of blue could create a lovely, coordinated look.
Exercise Before the Session
If your dog is particularly lively, you may want to take them for a walk before coming to the studio. This can help them burn off a little excess energy.
Try not to tire them out completely, though we still want them to be alert, engaged and ready to enjoy themselves.
Make sure your dog is clean and well groomed for their photo shoot.
If your dog needs professional grooming, try to arrange it a week or two before the session. This gives their coat time to settle and look natural.
It is also worth checking their eyes, face and paws before leaving home and bringing a brush for any last-minute tidying.
We often take photographs without collars, but collars can sometimes look really good in the pictures. You may want to bring a couple of different options so we can see what works best.
You are also welcome to bring:
· Bandanas
· Favourite outfits or special accessories
· Seasonal props
· Christmas jumpers or hats
Christmas-themed outfits can be particularly good fun during festive photo shoots.
Many people worry that their dog will not behave, will move around too much or will not do what we want them to do.
Please don’t worry.
I photograph lots of dogs, and it is extremely rare for one to arrive highly trained and do exactly what we ask throughout the session. Dogs will be dogs and that is exactly what we want to capture.
If your dog is lively, excitable or races around the studio, that energy is part of their personality. We can work with it rather than trying to stop it.
The photographic equipment I use can capture extremely sharp images, even when dogs are moving or jumping. We can often create photographs that you would never imagine getting when trying to photograph your dog with a phone.
It is a good idea to bring some of your dog’s favourite things, including:
· Favourite treats
· Favourite toys or balls
· Squeaky toys
· Anything else that reliably gets their attention
A little bribery can go a long way in the studio!
Some dogs are motivated by food, while others respond better to a favourite toy or an interesting noise. You know your dog best, so bring whatever you think is most likely to work.
I also have treats, toys and squeakers at the studio, so please do not worry if you forget something.
Above all, please do not worry about the photo shoot. We are not expecting perfectly behaved dogs we simply want them to come along and be themselves.
If you are bringing children or other family members, we can photograph them with the dog, take pictures of the whole family together and create whatever combinations you would like.
Planning a dog photo shoot in Cheltenham? Discover simple ways to prepare your dog, from grooming and exercise to clothing, favourite treats and toys, so you can relax and enjoy the session together.