Beautiful Dog Photography in Cleveland, TN | Meet CeCe the Yorkshire Terrier
Savannah & CeCe’s Sweet Downtown Portrait Session
A relaxed afternoon in Downtown Cleveland with one confident little Yorkie and the people who love her most.
Dog Photographer in Cleveland TN
If you’ve ever met a Yorkie, you know one thing is guaranteed…
They may only weigh a few pounds, but they walk around like they own the entire world.
CeCe was no exception.
I met Savannah and her adorable Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie), CeCe, in a little park in Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee, and from the moment we started, CeCe made it very clear this photoshoot was all about her. (As it should be.)
Between sniffing every interesting smell, showing off her gorgeous little face, and soaking up all the attention, getting all the cheese strings she wanted – she completely stole the show.
Client Testimonial
Nicole is the best!!! She is so patient with the animals and works so hard to get those perfect moments. Nicole captures a brief moment in time that creates a treasured memory that will live on even after we may lose our beloved furry children.
Rhonda & Savannah – Dog Photography in Cleveland, TN
Every Great Dog Portrait Starts Before I Pick Up My Camera
One of the questions I get asked most is, “How do you get dogs to pay attention?” The answer isn’t a secret trick. It’s preparation, patience, and understanding how dogs think. Before every session, I help my clients choose the right location, talk through what to bring (yes, treats are on the list), and set realistic expectations for the day. A little planning makes a huge difference.
CeCe was a wonderful example of that. Savannah came prepared with treats, gave CeCe time to settle into the new environment, and trusted the process. Because of that, we were able to create portraits that felt relaxed and natural while still looking polished.
Beautiful dog photography isn’t about luck. It’s about creating an environment where your dog can succeed.
Why Downtown Cleveland Is Such a Great Spot for Dog Photos
One of my favorite things about photographing dogs is finding locations that feel relaxed. The small park in downtown Cleveland was perfect. It had beautiful trees, plenty of greenery, quiet small walking paths, and enough open space for CeCe to explore without feeling overwhelmed.
And let’s be honest… Dogs don’t care if there’s a fancy mountain view. They’re just excited to be hanging out with their favorite person.
Why I Always Encourage You to Step Into the Frame
One of my favorite images from this session wasn’t of CeCe by herself. It was of Savannah and Jonas with her.
As dog owners, we’re usually the ones taking the pictures. Our phones are full of photos of our dogs, but very few include us with them. Before we know it, years have passed, and we realize we were behind the camera for almost all of it. That’s why I always encourage my clients to step into a few portraits. You don’t need to love being photographed. You don’t need the perfect outfit. You simply need to show up with the dog who already thinks you’re the best person in the world.
Those photographs often become the ones families choose for their walls—not because they’re perfectly posed, but because they tell the whole story.
5 Tips for an Amazing Dog Photography Session
Want the best experience possible? Here’s what I recommend:
1. Bring treats…lots of treats.
Think of treats as tiny bribes. Your dog won’t judge you, and neither will I.
2. Pack their favorite toy.
Squeakers are basically magic when it comes to adorable head tilts.
3. Don’t stress.
Dogs feed off our energy. If you’re relaxed, chances are they will be too.
4. Let your dog be themselves.
If they want to sniff every flower before taking a photo, we’ll roll with it. Some of the best moments happen when we’re not trying so hard.
5. Trust your photographer.
I’ve photographed enough dogs (and horses!) to know that patience always wins. We work with your pet—not against them.
Dog Photographer in Cleveland TN | Yorkshire Terrier “CeCe”
