Getting Your Dog Ready for Their Photoshoot | Tips for a Great Session
Getting your dog ready for photos doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what to do before your session—from grooming and treats to exercise, outfits, and keeping your pup relaxed.
How to Prepare Your Dog for a Photoshoot: A Simple Guide for Beautiful, Natural Dog Photos
Getting your dog ready for photos doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what to do before your session—from grooming and treats to exercise, outfits, and keeping your pup relaxed.
You booked the photoshoot. We picked the location. You’re excited. And then, as the session gets closer, the questions start:
Does my dog need a bath? Should I exercise them first? What should I bring? What if they won’t sit still? What if they’re nervous around strangers? What if they completely lose their mind when they see a squirrel?
First of all, don’t worry Your dog does not have to be perfectly trained to have beautiful photographs. Some dogs walk into a session ready to work. Others need a little time to investigate everything, sniff every blade of grass, and decide whether the photographer with the giant camera can be trusted.
Both are completely normal.
As a dog photographer in Cleveland, Tennessee, my goal isn’t to turn your dog into a perfectly posed model. I want to photograph your dog—their personality, their expressions, the little quirks you love, and the connection between the two of you. So let’s make getting ready easy.
Before Your Session: Tell Me About Your Dog
One of the best things you can do before your dog photography session is simply tell me about your dog.
I want to know what makes them tick. Are they shy or outgoing? Nervous around new people? Reactive around other dogs? Do they love treats, toys, praise, or squeaky noises? Do they have a favorite trick? Are there things they absolutely don’t like? Is there anything I should know for their safety or comfort?
There is no judgment here, and you don’t need to make your dog sound “good. Every dog is different, and knowing their personality helps me plan the session around them.
If your dog already knows sit, stay and come, that’s wonderful. Those cues can give us a lot more options during the session. But you don’t need to spend the weeks before your photoshoot turning your dog into an obedience champion. If you’d like to practice, keep it short and fun. It’s also helpful to tell me the exact words or hand signals you use. If your dog knows “wait” instead of “stay,” I’ll use the language they’re already familiar with.
And don’t worry if your dog doesn’t sit perfectly. Some of my favorite photographs are dogs walking with their people, looking up at them, playing, snuggling or exploring.
What Should I Bring to My Dog’s Photoshoot?
You don’t need to bring your entire house. A small bag with the things your dog already loves is usually all we need. Bring their collar and leash, favorite treats, water, poop bags and a favorite toy if they have one. If there’s a special bandana, collar, blanket, toy or another meaningful item you’d like included, bring that too. And when I say favorite treats, I mean the good stuff.
If your dog would do anything for tiny pieces of chicken but politely ignores their regular treats, bring the chicken. If they’re not particularly food motivated, that’s fine too. A favorite toy, ball, squeaker or even a particular sound may be what gets their attention.
The important thing is knowing what motivates your dog.
Bring a Friend
If you can, bring a friend or family member along. An extra set of hands can be incredibly helpful during a dog photoshoot, especially if your dog needs someone to hold the leash, get their attention, carry their things or help keep them comfortable while we move around.
It also means you don’t have to worry about doing everything yourself. You can focus on enjoying your dog while your friend helps behind the scenes when needed.
Your quick packing list
- bring a friend
- Collar and leash
- Favorite or high-value treats
- Favorite toy
- Water and a bowl
- Poop bags
- Brush or comb
- Towel or wipes
- Favorite bandana or accessory
- Any meaningful item you’d like photographed
That’s really it.
How Should I Groom My Dog Before Photos?
This is one of the questions I get most often, and the answer is simple:
Make your dog look like themselves—just a little more polished.
For some dogs, that might mean a bath and professional grooming. For others, a good brushing and a quick cleanup is all that’s needed. Before your session, check their coat, eyes, ears, mouth and nails. Remove any obvious dirt or debris and give them a good brush.
If your dog normally gets bathed, doing it the day before can be easier than trying to do everything right before you leave. Most importantly, don’t introduce a brand-new grooming routine or product right before your photoshoot. If your dog doesn’t normally tolerate something well, the day before your session isn’t the time to experiment.
And please don’t panic over a little mud, grass or slobber. We’re photographing a dog. They’re allowed to look like a dog.
What Should I Wear for Photos With My Dog?
This is worth thinking about ahead of time, especially if you want photographs of you and your dog together. And I really hope you do. Even if you originally booked the session because you wanted beautiful portraits of your dog, photographs of the two of you together can become some of the most meaningful images you own.
Start with comfort. You may be walking, sitting, bending down, hugging your dog or even getting a little dirty. Wear something you can move in and something that makes you feel good. Think about your dog’s coloring, too. You don’t necessarily want your clothing to disappear completely into their coat. Simple patterns tend to photograph beautifully, but you don’t need to dress in neutrals from head to toe.
Wear something that feels like you. If you’re a jeans-and-boots person, wear jeans and boots. If you love a dress, wear the dress. Your photographs should look like you, not like you dressed for somebody else’s photoshoot.
What Should My Dog Wear for Their Photos?
Some dogs look adorable in a simple bandana or special collar. Others are much happier—and look their best—without accessories.
If you want your dog to wear something, try it out before the session. Put it on at home, let them walk around in it, give them treats and see how they react. If they’re comfortable, bring it. If they hate it, leave it at home. I would much rather photograph a happy dog who feels comfortable than spend our session trying to convince them that a cute accessory is worth tolerating.
The goal isn’t to make your dog look like someone else’s dog on Pinterest.
What Should I Do the Morning of My Dog’s Photoshoot?
Keep it simple. If your dog is energetic, give them a good walk or play session before the session to take the edge off—but don’t try to completely exhaust them. Think “take some energy out,” not “run a marathon.”
Give them plenty of time to potty, too. When you arrive at the location, don’t feel like you need to jump straight into photographs. Some dogs need a few minutes to sniff, explore and take everything in, especially somewhere new. That’s okay.
I’d much rather have a relaxed dog who has had time to look around than one who has been rushed from the car straight into photographs. And give yourself enough time, too. Those first few minutes should be about settling in—not scrambling to find the treats you know you packed somewhere.
What Should I Do If My Dog Won’t Sit Still?
Then we don’t make them sit still. Seriously. Your dog doesn’t need to sit perfectly for an hour for us to create beautiful photographs.
Some dogs are calm. Some are curious. Some are wiggly. Some want to sniff everything. Some want to run. Some want to sit directly on top of their person. That’s part of who they are.
Rather than forcing every dog into the same pose, I look for the moments that feel natural. Maybe that’s your dog walking beside you. Maybe it’s them looking up at you. Maybe they’re playing with their favorite toy. Maybe they’re leaning into you. Maybe they’re making that completely ridiculous expression that makes you laugh every single time. Those moments matter.
What If My Dog Is Nervous, Reactive, or Doesn’t Like Strangers?
Please tell me! Your dog doesn’t have to love everyone they meet. If your dog is shy, nervous, reactive, or simply takes a while to warm up, we can give them the time and space they need.
We might begin with you simply hanging out with your dog while I stay back. We can let them sniff around, take in their surroundings and get comfortable before I start asking anything of them. There is no reason to rush. Your dog’s comfort matters to me, but your safety and mine matter too. If your dog is showing signs that they are uncomfortable, becoming increasingly stressed, or behaving in a way that could put you, me, or someone else at risk, we will stop and reassess.
Sometimes that means giving them more space, changing our approach, moving to a different location, or simply calling the session if that’s what is safest for everyone.
There is never a photograph worth putting a dog or a person in an unsafe situation.
My goal is for your dog to feel safe enough that we can photograph genuine expressions and real moments rather than trying to force interaction. Your dog does not have to perform for me. And they don’t have to be perfect.
Can I Bring More Than One Dog?
Absolutely! Multiple dogs can create some of the sweetest—and funniest—photographs. We’ll photograph them together, but we’ll also give each dog some individual attention. If you’re bringing several dogs, let me know when we plan your session so I can make sure we have enough time and a plan that works for everyone.
A second person can also be incredibly helpful. They can hold a leash while one dog isn’t being photographed, carry your things, offer treats or simply be an extra set of hands.
What About Puppies and Senior Dogs?
Puppies and senior dogs don’t need to behave like adult dogs. They just need to be themselves.
With puppies, I want to capture the things you’ll wish you could freeze in time—the oversized paws, floppy ears, curious expressions and ridiculous puppy energy. With senior dogs, we’ll slow things down.
They may not want to walk as far or move as quickly, and that’s okay. We can take breaks, stay close and focus on the details and the relationship you’ve built over the years. There is no age that is “too difficult” for meaningful photographs.
What Should I Do the Morning of My Dog’s Photoshoot?
Keep it simple. Give your dog some exercise, let them potty, give their coat a final brush, and make sure you’ve packed their leash, treats, water and anything special you’d like photographed. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the location. And please don’t arrive stressed and rushing if you can help it.
Your dog will notice. Those first few minutes should be about settling in, not scrambling out of the car while trying to find the treats you know you packed somewhere. Give yourself enough time to breathe. Give your dog enough time to sniff. Then we’ll get started.
Looking for a Dog Photographer in Cleveland or Chattanooga, Tennessee?
I’m Nicole Pols, an equine and dog photographer based in Cleveland, Tennessee, just outside Chattanooga. I photograph dogs on their own, dogs with their people, puppies, senior dogs and the relationships that make our animals such an important part of our lives.
I serve clients in Cleveland, Chattanooga, Ooltewah, Dayton and surrounding areas, as well as throughout Tennessee, North Georgia, North Alabama and the Southeast.
