5 Tips for Including Your Pet In Your Family Photo Sessions
Pets are family, too! As a family photographer and a proud pet parent myself, I understand your desire to include your pets in your upcoming family photo session. I also understand that you may have some questions about the best way to prepare your pet, or concerns about whether your pet will behave. In this article I will reveal my top 5 tips for making sure that your pet-inclusive family photo session turns out pawsitively terrific!
What if my pet isn't a dog?
In this article I will focus on outdoor sessions with dogs, since that is the most common request. However, please know that we welcome all sorts of pets. Cats, birds, and other species don't always travel well so if an outdoor session at the local park isn't practical, we can do the session in your home or backyard. Get in touch to learn more!
If you are the proud mama of one or more fur babies, it's no secret that pets are an important part of your family. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 85 percent of dog-owners and 76 percent of cat-owners think of their pets as family. But did you know that this is a fairly recent phenomena? Animal behavior expert Dr. Kate Mornement, who runs Pets Behaving Badly, says that when she started doing her line of work in 2004 there was no term ‘fur baby’." Can you imagine!?! SMU sociologist Andrea Laurent-Simpson says that American pet owners are transforming the cultural definition of family in her new book, "Just Like Family: How Companion Animals Joined the Household" (New York University Press: 2021). Today, the American family unit often includes nonhuman species, with dogs and cats treated like children, grandchildren and siblings.
Here are some helpful tips for making sure you and your fur babies are ready for a fun family photo session!
1. Arrive early and allow your pet plenty of time to sniff out the area. Make sure he has time to stretch his legs and do his business. If you have a particularly active breed, you may want to bring a ball or frisbee so that he can really run and get his exercise before your photo session begins. This will make for a much calmer pet!
2. Bring some "high value treats". This is a term I learned from our pups' obedience trainer. The treats they get every day may not be enough to grab their attention in an unfamiliar surrounding with new people. My pups always responded to cheese, bits of cooked chicken, and chunks of cooked ground turkey. These are treats that were very yummy to them that they only got during training sessions, so they were special. It also helps if your pet is hungry when they arrive. Make sure they are fed at least 2 hours before your session starts, and then pick up their bowl so they are not eating right before photos. That way those yummy treats will be absolutely irresistible!
3. Another way to get your pet's attention so they are looking at the camera is to bring a favorite toy, preferably one that makes noise. During this session, Pogo wasn't interested in anything but the ducks at the park so we were having a hard time getting him to look at the camera. What did I do as the photographer? Quack like a duck, of course! That is how I got my absolutely favorite photo from this session of these parents with their first fur baby!
4. If possible, bring a friend who can stay with your pet. They can walk or play with your dog, or sit with them in the car while you get a few pet-free shots. If you don't have anyone available, you could use an enclosure such as your pup's crate or a play yard, or a long lead tied off to a sturdy tree. Remember to always leave your pet fresh water and make sure he is placed in a shaded area, sheltered from the elements.
In this particular session, we were able to have time for a quick change of clothing and create a completely different look for the couple's pictures.
5. Finally, make sure your photographer is pet-friendly and open to the idea of including pets in your photos. Never show up at a photo session with your pet unless you have first discussed it with your photographer and gotten their okay. I can't imagine anything worse than an allergic or frightened photographer trying to capture your family's precious memories! I love when people bring their pets to their sessions, and as long as we are prepared and follow these tips, we are sure to get great results! :)
Jill Nissen is a pet-friendly photographer and the owner of The Proof Photography in Louisville, Kentucky. Not only is she an animal lover and a pet owner herself, she has a Bachelor's degree in Zoology from the University of Florida and worked as a veterinary assistant in an animal hospital during her college years. Jill would love to photograph you and your whole family, including your family pets! Contact Jill for more information and a free consultation.
See the Difference: Professional Pet Photography
A PPA pet photographer will take beautiful portraits of your non-human family members every time. It's their specialty! They've got the skills, speak dog and cat and know all the tricks to get the perfect shot.
Pet's Guide to What to Wear for your family photo session:
Holiday Outfits: Pet Outfits
People+ Pet Matching Holiday outfits: Matching Outfits
Holiday Accessories*: Accessories
*Bandanas, Bow Ties & Clips, Hats & Beanies, and Jewelry
Quotes for your Memory Book:
0 Comments