If you’re anything like me, you’re probably constantly haunted by the knowledge that you only have a few years with your beloved family dog. That’s why we always invite our clients to include their furry family members in sessions; while it may not make sense for every session, we know how important it is to document moments with pets while we can. If you’re considering taking family photos with dogs, you probably have questions. Here are our top 5 tips to help you prepare.

1. Find the right photographer, then communicate with them

First and foremost, it is absolutely crucial to find a photographer that is comfortable, skilled, and experienced taking family photos with dogs. A photographer might be allergic to or just not like dogs. Or in some cases, they might be open to including your pets in your session, but they’ve just never done it and therefore don’t have any idea how. When you’ve found a photographer you’re interested in booking, look through sample galleries that feature dogs and ask the photographer about their experience and comfort levels.

Once you’ve found the right photographer, you’ll need to communicate with them about your pet. When a client lets us know they want to include their dog in a session, we like to get the following information about the dog:

• Simple details like their name and overall temperament
• Any specific triggers (other dogs, loud noises, strangers, etc). We can accommodate those things, but only if we know we need to!
• Any allergies (we like to bring treats for bribery)
• If they’ve been in front of the camera before, and if so, how they responded to it

We’re happy to talk through all those details during pre-session planning appointments. The more prepared your photographer is, the better the session will be able to go.

2. Location, location, location

Adding a non-human participant to a session does limit your location options, but it doesn’t have to stop you from picking somewhere you’ll love. Ask your photographer or do your own research to find out if a spot is dog-friendly, if there’s a pet fee, how busy it is, etc. It can be helpful to pick a lower-distraction environment for dogs who are easily overstimulated!

If you can’t find anywhere you like, consider taking family photos with dogs in your own home. Not only is it your safe space, but it’s also your dog’s safe space. In-home sessions can be especially meaningful to families with pets.

Bonus: let your dog acclimatize in advance

If you choose a location outside the home, consider bringing your dog there ahead of time. New environments can be overwhelming for even the most relaxed dog, so it can be helpful to let them sniff around and explore in advance.

3. Exercise your dogs beforehand

You might’ve heard the common adage “a tired dog is a happy dog.” While not exactly the case 100% of the time, this is a generally helpful piece of advice.

For high-energy dogs especially, we recommend a long walk or playtime right before our session. With the excitement of new people and strange activities, it is often helpful to preemptively let them get out some nervous energy. A few minutes of mental and physical exercise before the session can go a long way.

4. Bring bribery

It seems like every dog has at least one thing that they just absolutely go crazy for, whether that’s treats, a specific toy, simply praise and affection, or all of the above. Come to your session with that bribery in mind.

If you’re working with us, we’ll bring treats for your pup as well. Let us know if they have any allergies or preferences!

5. Bring help

If needed, bring another person that your dog trusts to the session. We are happy to hold up treats, call your dog’s name, and make silly noises to keep him looking at the camera. However, many families find it helpful to have another pair of hands around to carry extra toys and treats, pick up after your dog, or hold onto the leash.

Plus, if you only want your dog to be in some of the images, you’ll have someone around to watch them for the rest of the session.

Bonus: ADVOCATE FOR YOUR DOG!

Throughout every session, we want everyone (human and otherwise) to be safe and comfortable. If you feel like your dog is stressed or uncomfortable at any point, we encourage you to put a stop to it. :)

Yes, including a dog (or dogs!) in your session takes more effort than would otherwise be necessary. We encourage you to make that decision based on whatever works best for your situation and family. That being said, we only get a relatively short time with our pets. To me, it’ll always be worth the added effort to be able to have beautiful documentation with my canine best friend. <3

If you’re considering taking family photos with dogs, I hope these tips have helped you feel more prepared. Next, check out this In Home Maternity Session to see a sample gallery. Or if you’re not sure a full session is right for your family, you might be interested in “Mini Sessions vs Full Sessions.”

And if you still have questions, or if you’re ready to book your session, we’d love to help you out. Reach out today to get started.

Fauna & Film are photographers in Huntsville AL, specializing in analog portraits and nostalgic home movies for sentimental couples and families in Huntsville, Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. From bespoke heirloom albums to custom, museum-worthy framed artwork, their passion is to serve clients by designing artwork for them that will last generations. Your memories deserve to be seen.

Currently serving Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and beyond.