Strike a Pose... Pups in Photoshoots

Tips for Stunning Dog Photoshoots

Do you have a family photoshoot coming up? Senior Pictures? A wedding? An engagement shoot? A maternity shoot? There are so many fun reasons to celebrate with a professional photo shoot and what could be better than having your furry family member included in a matching outfit? Including your pup, or any pet, will not only bring laughs during the shoot but will provide you with lasting, priceless photos of your pet. After including our fur babies in some shoots, we have done we have discovered some important things to consider as you are planning  photo shoot with your pet.

1. Is your photoshoot going to be at home or out somewhere public. If it is going to be at home that makes it pretty easy as your pup/pet will be right there already and they are in their comfort zone. If you are planning your photoshoot in a public place like a park, garden, etc. the first thing to investigate is whether or not pets are allowed at that location. Be sure to pick a place where your dog will be comfortable. If your dog is nervous or easily distracted by other animals or people try to find a quieter, calmer location. The last thing you want to do is cause stress for yourself and your pup by trying to keep them focused and calm.\
2. Who is going to watch your pet? If your pet is not going to be in every photo and you are going to be utilizing a public location for your photoshoot, be sure to bring someone along that your pup is comfortable with to hold onto them while you are posing for the photos they are not in.
3. Treats, Treats, Treats, and more Treats. You know your pup the best, whether they are motivated more by food or by a special toy, or both, be sure to bring them with you. Not only will it help get their attention while taking the photos, but they also deserve something special for working so hard. It isn’t easy being so cute, but someone has to do it. 😊
4. What’s the weather? If you are do an at home shoot the weather clearly isn’t as big a deal unless you plan on doing lots of photos outside. However, if you are choosing a public location be sure to look at the weather in advance and be sure it isn’t going to be too hot for your pup to be outside during the duration of the shoot.
5. Whatever shall they wear? Lastly, but still importantly, what is your pup going to wear? You want to make sure it’s something your pet is comfortable in. You don’t want to be redressing them the whole shoot or figure out they just aren’t going to have it. I suggest trying the outfit on in advance to give your pup time to get used to it or give you time to pick out something different if your pup does not like the outfit you picked. Continue reading for some things to consider when picking out your pup’s outfit.

What to wear…what to wear… Preparing Your Dog for a Photoshoot

A few things to consider when picking out the perfect outfit:

• Do you want your pup to match your/your family’s outfit/s? If so, make sure you plan a decent amount of time in advance as it can time to find a matching outfit in the right color and size for your pup.
• The weather. When picking out an outfit for your pup make sure it won’t be too warm. Dogs can overheat quickly.
• You want your pet to be comfortable. Not only will it make your photos better if your pet is comfortable, but it will also make the photo shoot go more smoothly if they are not trying to get the clothes off. Most importantly, you always want to consider your dogs comfort when dressing them. If they don’t enjoy it, don’t do it or pick something else that they do enjoy.
• The fit. Be sure the outfit fits your pet appropriately. You never want anything that is too tight and anything to loose could be a safety issue as they could get stuck on something or get a body part stuck in the outfit.
• What type of clothes do you want your pet to wear? There are so many choices. You can go as simple as a bowtie or bandana to as fancy as a full on outfit with accessories. The possibilities are endless and all equally adorable. It really depends on how comfortable your pet is getting dressed up.

Now that you have read some of the ins and outs of including your pup in your next photoshoot, the big question is what will they wear? Feel free to get some inspiration from the photos of the couple of shoots we have done.