Getting shots of your best friend can be tricky but it’s definitely not impossible. Keep on reading to see how best to prepare your pet for their special day and make their session as fun as possible for both you and them!
HOW TO PREPARE
THE BASICS FOR DOGS
Make sure your dog knows sit, stay, and is able to come on command. While you may want action shots, it will be easier on you and your pet photographer if your dog can follow these basic commands, especially if you want some some shots in a public area.
I highly suggest getting your dog professionally groomed. If you plan on having your dog get a cut, I would suggest planning for the appointment to be a week before the shoot just in case the fur needs to grow out any. If you trust your groomer though go ahead and schedule for the day before the shoot. But if the grooming does happen a week before, spend a few minutes the night before the photography session giving the pup a good brush down and use some spray on shampoo and conditioner that you won’t have to wash out.
Don’t want to pay for a groomer? Don’t worry, just make sure to give your dog a good bath the day before the session. Then do your best to keep the pup out of mud and puddles (which can be practically impossible I know!) This way your dog will have a great coat for the shoot and will be less likely to have a crazy hair day and end up looking like my pup Koda in the photo above!
BASICS FOR CATS
Brush your kitty the night before! You want their coat to be as smooth and shiny as possible for their day.
If you have a long haired cat definitely make sure there are no matted areas. Some cats can have extremely finicky fur so if they do have some that you can’t brush out, your best bet is to take them to a professional groomer to make sure the cut/grooming is done right. If your cat does end up needing a cut, try to schedule well in advance of your pet’s photography session so their fur will have a chance to grow back out. Make sure to keep up with grooming in the meantime so you won’t have to worry about new matted spots.
ACCESSORIES & PROPS
WHAT TO BRING
Pet photography is all about showing off your pet’s personality. Bandanas, fancy collars, outfits, if they have something and you like it (or they love it), bring it!
Make sure any article of clothing has been cleaned beforehand – if you look above you’ll see Koda’s bandana looks rather grungy and rather gross. Unfortunately people will be distracted and think if the bandana is dirty, the dog must be too. While you can’t control how clean your dog’s accessories are during a hike, you will have plenty of time to prepare for your pet’s photography session, so know what you want to bring and clean it!
Is your pup a working dog? Go ahead and bring their vest or other gear, give them a professional headshot or two!
Do they have a favorite toy? Do your best to have it cleaned beforehand and bring it. Toys are a great way to get your pet excited and to bring out their personality for the shoot. One of Koda’s favorite toys is a unicorn, which makes for some very adorable and hilarious photos of him.
Favorite treats are another must. While action shots are great, we will at times need your pet to stay in one place, therefore we’ll need something to reward them with. Plus if your dog makes a funny face when attempting to capture treats thrown at them that will make a perfect photo op!
Be sure to bring plenty of water too! Even an hour long session will make your dog thirsty so bring a bottle and a bowl for them (and you too!)
WHAT WE WONT NEED
Walking harnesses, spike collars, ID tags, things like this can be a distraction for the photo. I know you’ll need a way to walk your dog to the shoot and around the shoot, but keep in mind we’ll want to remove any harnesses and bulky ID tags before the shoot starts or between takes.
RIGHT BEFORE THE SHOOT
DOGS
For pet photography sessions that will be in a public location, you’ll want to bring your pup there a few times beforehand so they can get familiar with the area. If its their first time on location the day of the shoot, they’ll be too distracted with all the new smells and sights and will be less likely to listen to you properly.
Also be sure to take 10-15mins before the shoot starts to walk your dog around and let them take care of business. This will also help them run off some energy.
CATS
Cats will need time to adjust to a new location and explore, they just can’t help it. They’ll most likely be on edge, so we’ll want to give them some time to understand they are not under threat and relax.
If you can, also trim your cat’s nails the night before so we don’t have to worry about them getting caught on any of the backgrounds.
Want other great advice on how to prepare for a photo shoot? Read the other articles below!
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