How to Prepare Your Dog for a Photoshoot

If you've booked a professional photoshoot for your dog, you might be wondering how to make sure they'll behave in front of the camera.

The good news is that you don't need a perfectly trained dog to get beautiful photographs.

In fact, some of the best dog photographs happen when your dog is simply being themselves.

A little preparation can help your dog feel comfortable, but there's no need to turn the day into a training exercise.

The aim is to create a relaxed experience where your dog's personality can come through naturally.

Here's how to prepare your dog for a photoshoot and make the experience enjoyable for both of you.

Why Preparation Makes a Difference

Dogs can be sensitive to unfamiliar people, environments and situations.

A little preparation can help reduce distractions and make the session more enjoyable.

The most important thing is familiarity.

Your dog doesn't need to know exactly what's going to happen. They simply need to feel safe and comfortable.

A relaxed dog is much more likely to explore, interact, play and show their personality — which is exactly what you want from a natural photography session.

Keep Your Dog's Routine Normal

Try not to completely change your dog's routine on the day of the photoshoot.

If they're normally fed at a particular time, stick to that routine.

Likewise, don't suddenly introduce a new food, treat or activity immediately before the session.

Dogs tend to be happiest when their normal routine continues.

The photoshoot should simply become another part of their day.

Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise

A little exercise before the session can help take the edge off an excitable dog.

A walk gives them an opportunity to stretch their legs, explore and burn off some energy.

However, there's a balance.

You don't want your dog arriving exhausted.

The ideal situation is a dog who has had enough exercise to feel relaxed but still has plenty of energy to interact, explore and enjoy the session.

For an outdoor photoshoot, a familiar walk beforehand can be a particularly good way to settle your dog.

Bring Your Dog's Favourite Treats

Treats can be incredibly useful during a photoshoot.

They can help with attention, reward behaviour and encourage your dog to look towards the camera.

Bring treats your dog already knows and loves rather than introducing something new.

Small treats are often easier to manage during a session because you can give several without filling your dog up too quickly.

And don't worry if your dog isn't particularly food motivated.

There are plenty of other ways to get their attention.

Bring Familiar Toys and Comforts

A favourite toy can be useful for several reasons.

It can help your dog feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment and can also be used to encourage play or interaction.

A ball, favourite toy or even something that smells like home can help your dog settle.

You don't necessarily need to use these things in every photograph.

Sometimes simply having something familiar nearby is enough.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable Being Handled

Depending on the type of photoshoot, your dog may need to be positioned, touched or gently guided.

It's helpful if they're comfortable with basic handling.

However, don't worry if your dog isn't perfectly behaved.

A professional dog photographer should be able to work around different personalities and levels of training.

If your dog is nervous around strangers or doesn't like being handled, let your photographer know beforehand.

That allows them to adapt their approach.

Think About Grooming Before the Photoshoot

You don't need to give your dog a dramatic makeover before their photographs.

They should still look like themselves.

But a good brush beforehand can help remove loose hair and make their coat look its best.

If your dog normally has professional grooming, consider scheduling it a few days before the photoshoot rather than immediately beforehand.

That gives them time to settle back into their normal appearance.

Most importantly, don't try a completely new grooming style just before the session.

Bring Water and Essentials

If you're going to be outside, remember the basics.

Bring:

• Fresh water

• A bowl

• Treats

• Favourite toys

• Leads

• Poo bags

• A towel

• Any essentials your dog normally needs

A towel is particularly useful if you're photographing near water or if the weather is wet.

It's also worth bringing a spare lead if you have one.

Your photographer may be able to remove leads from some photographs during editing, but safety should always come first.

Don't Worry If Your Dog Won't Sit Still

This is probably the biggest thing to remember.

Your dog doesn't have to be perfectly behaved.

Some dogs will sit beautifully and look straight at the camera.

Others will spend the entire session running around, sniffing everything and investigating the photographer.

Both can produce brilliant photographs.

Movement can actually make photographs feel more energetic and expressive.

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A dog running through a field, shaking water from their coat or jumping for a favourite toy can reveal far more personality than a perfectly posed portrait.

Let Your Dog Be Themselves

The goal isn't to create photographs of the "perfect" dog.

It's to create photographs of your dog.

If they're playful, let them play.

If they're affectionate, let them cuddle.

If they're curious, let them explore.

If they're a little bit chaotic, embrace it.

Those quirks are part of what makes them special.

The best photographs often happen when nobody is trying too hard to create them.

What to Expect During a Dog Photoshoot

A professional dog photoshoot doesn't necessarily involve your dog sitting in one place while the photographer takes hundreds of photographs.

A natural session might involve walking, playing, exploring and interacting with you.

Your photographer may ask you to walk with your dog, throw a toy, give them a treat or simply spend time together.

The camera can then capture those natural interactions as they happen.

This approach can be particularly useful for dogs who aren't comfortable with traditional posing.

The Best Dog Photographs Happen Naturally

When you're thinking about how to prepare your dog for a photoshoot, remember that preparation is really about making them comfortable rather than making them perfect.

Keep their routine familiar.

Bring things they know.

Give them time to settle.

And most importantly, don't put pressure on yourself or your dog to perform.

A professional photographer can work with your dog's personality and capture the little things that make them uniquely yours.

Years from now, you probably won't care whether your dog sat perfectly for every photograph.

You'll care that the photographs captured them.

Looking for natural dog photography?

If you'd love beautiful, natural photographs that capture your dog's personality rather than simply creating posed portraits, Natalie Jolley Photography can create a relaxed session designed around your dog.

Whether they're energetic, nervous, playful, stubborn or completely chaotic, that's what makes them yours — and that's exactly what your photographs should capture.