Booking a professional photoshoot for your pet is more than just a fun idea. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate their personality, your bond, and all the joy they bring into your life. It’s about creating memories you can hang on your wall, flip through with loved ones, and hold onto forever.
But now that your session is officially on the calendar, you might be wondering… what now?
Don’t worry—you’re in great hands. Whether your pet is shy, wild, stubborn, or somewhere in between, we’ve got this. I’ve photographed all kinds of dogs and cats (and the occasional bunny!), and no, your pet isn’t the most “difficult” I’ve ever met.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to prepare (without stress) so your session feels relaxed, fun, and results in portraits that are both beautiful and deeply personal.
👇 Here’s what we’ll cover:
(Click any section to jump ahead)
Start With the End in Mind
What kind of artwork do you dream of?
Before we ever meet for your session, think about how you want to enjoy your portraits. Would you love a statement piece in the entryway? A beautiful wall gallery in the living room? Or maybe an heirloom album for your coffee table? If you’re unsure, here’s a helpful guide on how to choose the best artwork for your home.
Knowing where your portraits will live helps us choose the best location, scenery, colours, and style for your shoot. A breezy forest session might not suit your sleek modern space—but a bold studio session could be perfect. During your Planning Meeting, we’ll talk through your space and your style to make sure the photos we create feel just right for your home.
Plan Your Session with Your Photographer
Your pet is unique, and your session should be too.
Before our Planning Meeting, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire to tell me about your pet, your style, and your goals for the session. This helps me come prepared with thoughtful suggestions—like ideal locations, timing, and artwork options that align with your lifestyle and home.
The Planning Meeting is where all the unique details of your custom sessions come together into a fully-designed session plan. During the Planning Meeting we will:
- Meet your pet in person, so they can get comfortable with me ahead of the shoot
- Choose the perfect location and time of day for your session, based on your pet’s personality, your decor style, and how you imagine enjoying your artwork
- Photograph your walls, so I can create to-scale mockups of what your finished artwork might look like in your home
- Answer any questions you may have, so you feel totally at ease and excited for what’s to come
Every session is fully customized, and this meeting ensures that everything—from your pet’s comfort to your artwork—feels just right for you.
Get Your Pet Looking Their Best
A little prep makes a big difference.
If your pet normally goes to the groomer, be sure to book their appointment a few days before the session. This gives their coat time to settle into its natural shape—fresh grooms can sometimes look a bit too “puffy” or flat in photos.
If your pet doesn’t get professional grooming, no problem! Just bathe and brush them the day before your session, and give them another quick brush the morning of. And try to keep them clean until shoot time—that means no off-leash muddy adventures or surprise swims the night before.
For pets with longer fur, trim the hair around their eyes so we can see their expression clearly in the photos. This is especially important for doodles, wire-hair breeds, and any dog with shaggy bangs.
Don’t forget the nails! Trimmed paws make a big difference in photos.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s making sure we can see their beautiful face and they feel comfortable and clean.
Let’s Talk About You for a Second
You’re part of the story—and the photos.
Even if the focus is on your pet, chances are you’ll end up in a few portraits too (and trust me—you’ll want to be). These portraits tell the story of your bond—and they’re meant to last. If you’re wondering whether printing them is worth it, here’s a little reminder of why printed pet portraits matter.
Years from now, when you look back on these portraits, you’ll want to feel proud of how natural and timeless they look. Here’s how to choose an outfit that feels like you, photographs beautifully, and won’t date itself 25 years from now:
- Keep it clean, classic, and timeless. Think solid colours, simple silhouettes, and polished basics that feel like an elevated version of your everyday style. Colours that tend to be the most flattering and timeless: earth tones and jewel tones.
- Dress for the setting. Think about the type of outfit that would look best in your session location. If we’re heading into the woods, clean jeans, a black t-shirt, and a sharp wool jacket might work beautifully for you. A studio session might call for a nice dress or tailored trousers. In the city? Maybe something more colourful and playful like a graphic print sweater and coloured welly boots.
- Avoid anything overly trendy, flashy, or logo-heavy. Avoid large logos, graphic t-shirts, neon colours, tiny prints, and any fashion trends.
- Avoid overly baggy clothing. Tailored or well-fitting clothing always looks best, and lets you move freely and interact naturally.
- Watch for wrinkles, pet hair, and lint. When choosing fabrics, try to lean towards options that don’t wrinkle easily, or act as a magnet to pet hair. Bringing a lint roller is always a good idea.
- Don’t forget about footwear. Make sure your shoes are clean (no muddy hiking boots) and match the tone of the rest of your outfit. A flowy dress with hiking shoes—or dress shoes with shorts and a t-shirt—can feel mismatched and distracting in the final images.
- Take a few extra minutes for hair, skincare, or makeup. This doesn’t need to be anything fancy—but if you feel good, it’ll show in the photos. A fresh blow-dry, some moisturizer, or your go-to makeup look can make a big difference in how confident and relaxed you feel on camera. Bonus: if it’s windy or humid out, consider a hairstyle that will hold up in the elements.
- Coordinate with your crew. If more than one human will be in the photos, make sure your outfits look like they belong together. Pay attention to colour palette, formality, and shapes.
- Think about your pet’s colouring. Choose tones that won’t clash with your dog or cat’s fur. (For example, avoid wearing a black sweater if you have a fluffy black dog you want to stand out!)
- Ask for advice! Not sure what works? Text me photos of what you’re considering—I’ll happily share my professional opinion.
This isn’t about dressing up. It’s about showing up as your best, most authentic self—so your portraits reflect how this moment really feels.
Pack Your Pet Photoshoot Kit
Here’s a quick list of things to bring to your session:
✅ Favourite treats (a couple different types, and LOTS of them—bring high-value ones like cheese or hot dogs!)
✅ Toys (especially if your pet is more play-driven)
✅ A regular collar and leash (thin is better—I’ll edit it out)
✅ Water and a travel bowl
✅ Poop bags
✅ A small towel (for drool, mud, or unexpected swims)
✅ Brush, if needed
✅ Any cute accessories you’d like them to wear
Read more about the top 5 things to bring and why they matter.
🎁 Get the Ultimate Pet Photoshoot Checklist
Tired of scrolling back and forth through this post to remember everything?
👇 Download my free 1-page checklist so you can feel calm, confident, and completely prepared on shoot day.
Manage Their Energy Levels
Aim for “just right”—not over-tired, not over-hyped.
If your pet is high energy, give them a little exercise beforehand to take the edge off. For a morning shoot, try a long walk the night before. For an evening shoot, a play session earlier that day usually helps.
If your pet is more low-key (senior pups or couch-loving cats), let them rest and conserve their energy. You want them fresh and curious—not zonked out.
Just Enough Appetite to Listen
Treats are a big part of the magic.
If your pet eats a full meal right before the session, they may be too full to care about snacks. Try feeding them about half their usual portion beforehand so they’re just hungry enough to stay focused and motivated.
(Always consult your vet first if your pet has special dietary needs.)
Don’t Stress
Seriously. It’s going to be great.
Your dog doesn’t need to know any tricks. Your cat doesn’t need to “perform.” Most of the pets I photograph are regular companion animals—no formal training, no fancy poses. Just personality.
There will be moments of chaos, messiness, and plenty of repetition. That’s all part of the process. My job is to work with who your pet is—not who they “should” be. Show up with patience and a sense of humour, and I promise we’ll create magic together.
Bonus Tips for the Overachieving Dog Owners (You Know Who You Are)
No training required—seriously. But if you must…
Let me say this loud and clear: your pet does not need to know a single command to get stunning, soulful portraits. Most of the pets I photograph have zero formal training. Their wild personalities, quirks, and chaos? That’s part of the charm.
That said… if you’re a bit of a perfectionist (don’t worry, I am too), and you want to prep a little, here are a few simple commands that can make the session go more smoothly—or at least a little quicker:
- Stay – helpful for holding poses or sitting still when we get that perfect composition
- Down – for relaxed, cozy portraits or when we need a calm reset
- Stand – asking your dog to stay standing in place (Note: this one is really advanced. My model dog doesn’t even know it)
- Up – (for jumping onto props or rocks)
- Look (Watch Me or Focus) – to help direct their gaze right into the lens
- Trigger words for head tilts – Every dog has their thing. “Walk,” “car ride,” “treat,” “squirrel,” or even your pet’s favourite nickname can work like magic. Think about the words that spark curiosity—and let me know what they are!
You’ll notice I didn’t include Sit—and that’s on purpose. Sit is actually not very helpful in most sessions. Many dogs default to sitting the moment they feel unsure, which can actually work against what we’re trying to capture.
So again, this is totally optional. You do not need to train your pet for this experience to be a success. But if it makes you feel better (or just sounds fun), these are the most helpful ones to focus on.
Final Thoughts
Your pet is one of a kind. This photoshoot is about capturing who they are right now—their goofy grin, their soulful eyes, their connection with you. These portraits will become memories you’ll treasure for years (and cry over in the best possible way).
Still have questions? You can find more info in my FAQ or send me a message—I’d love to hear about your pet.
Wait… You Read All That and Haven’t Booked Yet?
If you’ve made it all the way here without booking your session, I have to say—I’m intrigued. It tells me you care deeply, you’re thoughtful, and you want this to be just right. You’re exactly the kind of person I create this experience for.
Let’s connect and talk about what’s possible. No pressure—just a conversation to see if we’re the right fit to create something truly meaningful together.
💌 Send me a message and tell me about your pet—I can’t wait to hear.
