If you are having photos taken and you don’t want to leave your furry buddy behind, you don’t have to! Whether it is a family session or an engagement photo shoot, including your dog can make logistics a little different. Communicating and being prepared is mostly the difference. Here are some tips for bringing your dog to your photo shoot that will help everything run smoothly for you and your photographer. These tips can apply to bringing your dog to your elopement or wedding too!
BRING A FRIEND
Bringing someone to help with the dogs can help in a few different ways. Having someone to hold the leash when your dog is not in the photos is so helpful. If you must tie them to something or rely on the photographer to hold them while taking photos, it could make things a little more difficult. Even if your dog is good off leash, they could be distracting if there isn’t a person designated to watch them.
Having a friend to help with getting your dog to look a certain way is also so helpful! If your dog ends up just looking at all the distractions, you may end up with a lot of photos of the back of your pups head.
Lastly, a friend is helpful for carrying anything you may have. If you are taking your dog to your photo shoot, you will have more to carry when walking. Sometimes there are great moments to capture when walking from spot to spot so it is nice to have your hands free. An extra hand can never hurt!
BE PREPARED
Bringing doggy bags, treats and water might easily be forgotten because it is just a photo shoot. Depending on where you are located and what time of year it is, your pup could get thirsty. In the desert specifically it is so hot during the summer, even for a one hour photo shoot we all will need some water. Especially if you are eloping and will be out for a few hours, be prepared for yourself and them. Check out these portable dog water bottles that are great for walks, hiking and photo shoots.
Some pups get distracted easily so treats or even a toy could make them listen better when trying to have them sit or stay. On the other hand, some dogs get very serious an attentive when they see a treat or toy. So, if that serious face just too goofy, it may not be the best way to get genuine photos. You know your dog the best, so if clapping or making noises will get their attention let your photographer know.
CONSIDER THE LOCATION
Some places do not allow dogs. Many do not allow dogs off leash. I know I cannot relate to having a dog that is good off leash, but many of you have them! Considering where you are going to be is so important. We never want to put anyone in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation if we let a dog off leash somewhere where we aren’t supposed to.
If your location does allow dogs off leash that is great! There will be no messy leashes in the photos. On the other hand, if you are not blessed with a well behaved dog, try to bring the least distracting leash you can. Preferably something black or neutral that allows you to keep your dog close is best. The leashes that extend far give you less control and you want to keep your dog close to you for these photos.
INFORM YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
It may sound obvious, but giving your photographer a heads up is very appreciated. Some people have bad past experiences with dogs so you just never know. If you end up surprising your photographer with a dog it could throw them off and it could be uncomfortable.
Asking your photographer about bringing your dog along will prepare them not only for photos to take, but they can give you their best advice for it to go smoothly. I tell all of my couples these tips for bringing their dog to photo shoots. If you have a wild dog but cannot bring someone to help, I even try to bring someone myself. Having to hold onto an 80lb dog while taking photos is a disaster waiting to happen! If nobody can come to assist, it is what it is and we will work with what we’ve got.
I hope these tips for bringing your dog to your photo shoot helped ease your mind! Some dogs are better suited for photo shoots than others, so don’t get discouraged if yours is a little wild. As long as all of you are having fun you will have great photos to look back on forever!
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