What to expect with a Pet Photo shoot?

Hello there friend...

Your pet is the star of the show...

How to prepare yourself for a Pet Photo shoot?

This is the day where you and your pet can bond and have a day together with a outdoor pet photo shoot and have loads of fun doings so...Owners of dogs normally have fears with this kind of photoshoot due to the many unknows or unanswered questions. But let me reassure I'm here to help and have dedicated this article to put all your fears to rest, so that you can be confident that "everything will be okay" and you and your furry friend can have loads of fun.

I can almost guarantee that you will be on the ground with your dog at some point during the photo session, So recommend that you wear neutral or solid colours that looks best when paired with your dog. Please wear limited patterns and avoid logos so that the photos can blend better. I normally request clients to be mindful of their shoes as well, since your dog will sit at your feet, you do not want dirty or brightly coloured shoes. Colours that match or coordinate with your dog make a lovely photo. If you have any concerns I will discuss this with you and confirm your clothing choice before the day of the shoot.

If you're a lady pet owner and plan on wearing make-up, please apply your make-up just a little darker than normal and please use a matte finish.

How to prepare your dog for a Pet Photoshoot?

Whether its an adult dog photoshoot or a puppy photoshoot you can use the following tips to prepare you dog for its photoshoot...

🐾 Bathing and Grooming

Giving your dog a bath a day or two before your session is recommended. I know your dog might or will probably be rolling around in the grass or dirt within minutes of having their bath or grooming, however you still want to at least try to keep them relatively clean so they will look their best in the photos.

Please pay special attention to the eye area especially if you have a long haired dog, it is often more difficult to see their eyes in photos so please consider trimming around their eye area. However if you are not comfortable with trimming OR it is not dog’s normal appearance then Do Not trim your dog and focus ONLY bathing and grooming your dog.

You want your photos to show your dog as you usually see him/her on a daily basis. So if that doesn't involve a groom and trim then leave it off your to do list.)

🐾 Arriving Early at the Shooting Location

I highly recommend you at least arrive 15-30 mins before you photoshoot to allow your dog to explore the area before your photo session starts. When it comes to new environments dogs like to sniff and explore and mostly mark their new or old territories. Its very stimulating for a dog to experience a new or familiar smell, sound and sight. Allowing your dog to be familiar with the environment allows them to be more content, relaxed and be themselves when the photo shoot occurs. Having a calm and relaxed dog allows for more attractive and specific photos to be taken and also allows the owners to have better control over their animals allowing for an overall better shooting experience.

🐾 Exercise and Play for Energetic Dogs

If you generally have a very energetic dog that gets excited for new grassy areas it might be a good idea as mentioned to arrive early at your shooting location. This allows extra time to play with your dog and get some of that energy out of their system. This can be done by taking them for a walk, let them run freely or play fetch with a ball. This will allow your dog to be more calmer when the photoshoot is performed and allow them to be relaxed.

🐾 Dog Collars and Harness

Having a good maintained dog collar or harness is important and over time your dog's harness or collar does get a fair amount of wear and tear, so its recommended to check the condition of the collar or harness to ensure its up to standard and wont snap or come loose during the photo shoot to ensure the safety of your dog.

If your dog will be wearing a collar or harness for the majority of the shoot please ensure its a collar or harness you are happy to be shown in the photos and the colour is right for the photos.

🐾 Doggie Treats

During the session I will be using a variety of toys, treats and praise to gain your dog's attention and trust.

Treats are often one of the most popular and successful ways to gain their attention and trust (from a dog's point of view). I will be using treats throughout their photo session, so please don’t feed your dog too much food close to their session otherwise rewarding your dog with treats will not be as effective. We can discuss any treats of preference and you are welcome to bring your own.

🐾 Dog Owners Mood

Dogs are very sensitive to the overall mood of their owners, especially if they have a very close relationship, you can say its like they are in sync with their owners feelings. Therefore its important to be happy and calm during your session as they will respond to your emotions. Dogs can sense if their owners are stressed or irritated and they will most likely respond to your mood by "feeding" of your energy, so its best to be as calm and happy as possible so that your dog can respond accordingly to have the best outcome for the photo shoot.

What if my dog does not behave?

Please be mindful that the shoot might not always go exactly as planned and dogs have their own personalities and their own way of thinking. Go with the flow and be patient and calm, and your dog will follow… just remember that your dog photography sessions are simply a chance to hang out with your dog and play, it is their special day. I will be in the background, taking photos and even everything does not go according to plan I will try my best to take as many good photos as possible.

If your dog has problems socialising with other animals or completely freaks out in general public please consider the below option "Can I do a photoshoot at my Home?"

Can I do the Photoshoot at my Home?

Yes, for some people it might be a better choice to do a photoshoot from home. Some animals don't socialise very well when they get in contact with other animals or people, in most situations dogs are being protective of their owners and coming in contact with other animals is perceived as a threat to them, so if you are a dog owner that owns a pet that completely "loses it" in general public it might be a better option to do a photo shoot from home in familiar territory where they are most relaxed. Shooting from home can give you the option to perform a indoor shoot on their favourite sofa or bed and outdoor at their favourite spot in the yard. Shooting from Home can also allow owners with cats or rabbits to partake in the fun and perform a family photoshoot.

How to prepare for a Pet Photo Session?

Before the day of your session we can have a conversation about any questions or concerns you might have. After the discussion we should have the following questions answered:

1) Your Pet Photography Shooting location (indoor or outdoor)

2) The Date and Time

3) What you will be wearing

4) Different types of photos you would like of your dog

5) The doggy treats, toys we can use to gain your dog's attention

6) How we can work together to allow for the best photos

Once we have established all of the above ,we can proceed with booking your Pet photo session. When I get to the shoot location, I will have treats and toys ready to gain your dogs attention, hopefully by then your dog had a bit of time to explore. When the session starts, I will guide you and your dog to hopefully get the best results. Overall the session should take 1 to 2 hours, but I'm in no rush you can and your pet can take your time to feel comfortable in front of the camera. Once your session is done, I will let you know when your photos will be available.

In conclusion...Pet Photography is an fun, exciting and bonding time with your pet which every pet owner should try at least once in their lifetime...so why not go ahead an book a session with me, if you're not ready and need more time, I am more than happy to meet up with you for a chat at a coffee shop or do a phone consultation, so feel free to fill in your details at the " grab your free coffee" section below.

Hope to hear from you soon...

Regards,

Regusta xxx