Wondering what to expect at a dog photo shoot? Whether you’ve booked your dog photography session or are still deciding, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Hey there, we’re Katy and Shell from Dogfolk Pet Photography in Melbourne. We like to think of ourselves as family photographers – but for dog people! Our lifestyle pet photography sessions celebrate the special bond between pets and their people, right from the comfort of home.
Here’s everything you can expect at an in-home dog photo shoot, from start to finish!
If you came across this post and would love to arrange a pet photo shoot in Melbourne for your furry family, we’d love to hear from you! Send us an enquiry or book your shoot now.
How to prepare for a dog photo shoot
A little pooch-prep leading up to your session goes a long way to help the shoot run smoothly. Not to mention have your dog looking and feeling their best in time for photos!
Here’s a few simple tips to help get your pup ready:
- Grooming: A fresh bath or groom a day or two before the session will have your dog looking their best. Avoid doing this on the same day though, as it may leave them tired.
- Exercise: Take your dog for a walk before the session to help them burn off extra energy and stay relaxed during the shoot.
- Treat strategy: We mostly skip treats during our sessions to avoid distractions or over-excitement. This lets us capture your pup’s natural interactions and their love for you – not the snacks!
- Session length: Our shoots typically last 1.5 hours. If your dog needs more time to settle in, don’t worry – we’re totally flexible and happy to accommodate their needs.
Now that we’ve covered how to prepare your dog for a pet photo session, let’s shift our focus to you and your home.
What to wear at a dog photo session
Since most of our pet photography sessions take place in your home, comfy and casual outfits are perfect.
Think about:
- Barefoot or relaxed vibes that reflect your furry family’s personality.
- Colours that complement your home’s decor for cohesive photos.
- Avoiding black if you have a black dog, or outfits with large logos that could cause distraction.
Ultimately, wear what makes you feel great! These photos are all about capturing you and your bond with your pup.
How to prepare your home
Having a dog photo shoot at home isn’t just about capturing your pup’s true personality – it’s about reflecting the authentic character of your home, your family, and the daily life you share together
Following these general tips will ensure you have a photo-ready home:
- Clear away items around your home that distract like toys, remotes, cables, and clutter from areas where we’ll shoot.
- Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light—it works wonders for the photos!
- If you have a backyard or garden, tuck away hoses, tools, and other distractions.
Also think about areas of your home that would provide a beautiful or meaningful setting for your photos, so you can let us know when we arrive to your session.
What to expect on the day of the shoot
The first order of business on shoot day? Becoming your pup’s new best friend! Before any photos are taken, we’ll sit down and have a quick chat about your session, while your dog gets all their sniffs out.
If your dog loves pats and cuddles, we’ll get plenty of those in too. However if your dog is nervous around people, that’s absolutely fine – we have plenty of experience with anxious pups. We’ll take things slow, and give them the space and time they need to feel comfortable.
Once your best friend feels relaxed with us there, we’ll start slowly moving through areas of your home with the best natural light and where you all love to hang out – the best settings for capturing your special family moments together.
Everything will flow naturally as we go about capturing the candid, everyday interactions you share with your dog – along with all of their adorable traits you love!
The kinds of photos we capture
Our in-home dog photography sessions include a variety of photos that capture your pup’s personality, as well as the special connection you share.
Session photos generally include:
- Candid pet portraits: Your dog doing what they love – lounging in their favourite spot, or playing with their special toy.
- Family moments: Genuine playful or loving moments with all the family together.
- Special details: The adorable features and quirks you love about your dog, like their floppy ears, beautiful puppy eyes – or the way they rest their head on your lap.
Overall, we aim to capture the unique personality of your pet and your unbreakable bond.
What happens after the dog photo shoot
From there, you can order digitals, prints, albums, or wall art to showcase your favourite moments. We’ll be at the ready to help you design personalised pieces that perfectly celebrate your pet and the love you share.
Well, that’s it – the full experience from start to finish! Easy, fun, and completely tailored to you and your furry family.
For a behind-the-scenes look at what you can expect at our in-home pet photography shoots (and what inspired us to start Dogfolk) check out the video below.
A big thank you to the gorgeous stars of our shoot, Benny, Antonette and Jerome!