How to prepare your dog for a photo session (without stressing either of you)

The best dog photos don’t come from perfect behaviour. They come from a dog who feels relaxed, safe and a little bit curious. The good news is that most of that comes down to a few easy bits of preparation — nothing that needs weeks of training.

In the week before

• Keep life normal. There’s no need to drill commands. A happy, settled dog photographs far better than one who’s been practising “stay” all week.
• Grooming, if they enjoy it. If your dog loves the groomer, a tidy-up a few days before is lovely. If grooming stresses them out, skip it — scruffy and happy beats neat and anxious every time.
• Tell us everything. When you book, let us know about anything that worries them: other dogs, loud noises, being touched on the head, cameras pointed at them. It all helps us plan a calmer session.

On the day

• A good walk first. A sniffy walk an hour or so beforehand takes the edge off excess energy without wearing them out completely.
• Don’t feed a big meal right before. A slightly peckish dog is far more interested in treats, which makes it much easier to get those lovely ear-up, looking-at-the-camera moments.
• Toilet break before we start — for obvious reasons!
• Collar or harness? Bring a plain collar or harness and a lead you’re happy to see in photos. For off-lead shots at a private field we can leave it off altogether.

What to bring

• Their favourite treats — the really good stuff. Cheese, sausage, whatever makes their nose twitch.
• A favourite toy, especially a squeaky one. A squeak just above the camera is the oldest trick in the book because it works.
• Water and a bowl, particularly for outdoor sessions.
• Their comfort things. For indoor sessions, a favourite blanket or bed adds a lot of personality to the photos.

What to wear (if you’re joining in)

If you’d like to be in some of the photos — and we’d really encourage it — go for soft, plain colours: creams, oatmeal, greys, muted greens and blues. Avoid big logos and bright patterns, which pull attention away from your dog. Comfortable clothes you can kneel or sit on the floor in are ideal.

During the session

Your only job is to relax. Dogs read us incredibly well, so if you’re calm, they’re far more likely to be calm too. We’ll take breaks whenever your dog needs one, follow their lead, and work with whatever energy they bring — zoomies included. Some of our favourite shots happen in the in-between moments, not the posed ones.

The short version

Walk, slightly hungry, great treats, favourite toy, and tell us what worries them. That’s honestly most of it. If you have any questions before your session, just message us on WhatsApp.