More and more people decide to take part in professional photo sessions. Photographers are outdoing themselves in offering wedding, pregnancy, newborn and family sessions. But what about the four-legged members of our families? Is a session with a dog also a good idea – not only from our point of view but also from the dog’s?
A souvenir for a lifetime
A photo session with a dog is a fantastic keepsake. In the era of smartphones, when our phones are overloaded with photos of our pets, professional photos will be something special for us. Such photos are perfect to hang on the wall, and years later, they will bring back memories of time spent with our dog. A photo session can also be a great and unusual idea for a gift for a doggy!
When going for a photo session with our dog, we should first take care of our pet’s comfort. First of all, we should think about choosing the right place. If we have a dog which feels uncomfortable among people, instead of a crowded city centre, it is better to choose a quiet place in the nature. Whether it will be a closed or open space is also very important. If we want our dog to appear in the photos without a leash, but we are afraid to let him loose, it is better to organize the photos in a fenced area. In such a case, a good place for the session may also turn out to be our house or, for example, a dog-friendly café.
If we notice that our dog, for some reason, feels uncomfortable, we have to stop the session. Let’s not do anything by force, let’s not force him to take uncomfortable positions or stand in places where he feels uncomfortable. Natural positions, not only will be more comfortable for our dog but also will look better in photos.
Say cheese
Participation in a photo session should be first of all a fun activity, for us and our dog. To make the session fun and put a smile on your dog’s face, let’s treat it as a game and an opportunity to spend time together. Take some delicious treats and your dog’s favourite toy with you. As a warm-up, let’s perform a few simple tricks with our dog. Also, a moment of playing with us will help to cheer up our pet and will be a great reward at the end of the session. During the session, take a break for a short walk and a free exploration of the area. Remember that it should be a pleasure not only for us but also for our pets.
A session with a dog – for whom?
For everyone! Even if your dog is not a master of tricks and obedience, he might turn out to be a great model! Before the session, however, it is worth practising some skills with your dog, which may turn out to be useful in the course of taking photos. It’s worthwhile that your dog can stay still, sit and lie down on command and respond to his name – thanks to that, it will be much easier to draw his attention to the camera. Also, some self-control exercises will help your dog to focus better.
Dog photographer
A photographer is not the same as a photographer. If you want to take part in a session, you should also consider choosing the right photographer. Let’s not only pay attention to the pictures he takes but also whether he has the experience and the right attitude to work with dogs. Both us and our dog will work better with a kind person, who understands the dog’s abilities and limitations and will take care of the dog’s emotions during the session.
