Preparing your dog for a photography session
A photography session with a dog is a such lot of fun! It is also very unpredictable…I regard this uncertainty as part of the fun, you never know what our furry friend might have in mind for the day - very often they come up with unique poses that I would never have dreamed of! This unpredictability doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t prepare in advance - preparing your canine companion in advance is one of the things that we can do to make the day the best it can be.
Here are a few things to consider:
If grooming, a clip or a bath is needed before the session then do this a day or two in advance. Make sure to bring a grooming brush or anything else that might be needed for a quick touch up on the day with you. This will enable you to get those wild strands of hair under control (only if you want to!). Also bring something for a gentle wipe of their eyes and paws right before the session to remove loose fur and dirt.
Do not change their routine during the hours before the shoot - we would like them to be calm and relaxed when they arrive on location.
Make sure to organise your day so that you are able to arrive early to ensure they’ve had a bathroom break and time for a short energising walk so they are calm and relaxed when the session starts. Make sure to bring those poo baggies along!
Treats can be a lifesaver to get things done, so make sure to bring enough of their favourite treats to use during the session. Their own threats will be the safest option - the last thing we want is to cause a tummy upset if they eat something that they are not familiar with.
If your dogs has any severe allergies or conditions like seizures then make sure to bring appropriate medications along in case they are needed. If there are health concerns like chronic heart failure inform the photographer in advance to ensure that the photography session is tailored according to their abilities.
Bring their favourite toy for positive reinforcement, quick attention grabs and as a prop - a special toy can add a lot of interest to an image. Also make sure to pack any other props, toys or clothes that you might want to use on the day.
Decide on the collars or harnesses that would be used on the day. If you have a flashy collar or harness that you would like to see in the images bring that along but also a thin collar and leash to enable to us to remove that when we edit the photos afterwards.
Consider a short training refresh for a few weeks before the session - refresh of basic cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “look” so the photographer can capture expressive, well-composed portraits.
These are a few things things that came to mind, I am sure there would be more things that could be done but this should be enough to get you started.
Looking forward to a unique and exciting photography session with you and all your furry best friend/s!