Getting your dog ready for a photo session
As we get closer to our dog mini sessions, I thought it would be the perfect time to give some tips& tricks on how to get your dog/s ready for a professional photo session.
Prepping before the session
Grooming
Before the session, you will want to make sure your dog is well groomed to your preferred look. You will want to plan ahead of time for the dog groomer and it is not recommended the dog groomer be booked on the same day as your photo session.
Bathing
A good bath the day before or the morning of is best for your pup to be looking their best in front of the camera. If you have a dog that loves to roll or get dirty it might be best to limit opportunities before their photo session as much as possible.
Exercise or Rest
Depending on the breed and personality of your pup you may want to exercise them or let them have some quiet time before your session. If you have an energetic pup like me, you may want to take them out for a walk or have a play time session before pictures. Please caution that I don't recommend wearing your dog out as we want to ensure we are still able to capture your dog's true personality.
If you have a senior citizen or a dog that loves nothing but napping and lounging around the house, having some rest before the session may be ideal.
Nail Trim
I recommend trimming your dog's nails the week before the photo session as long nails can be an eye-catcher in the final artwork.
I understand that sometime you may need to hire a professional to get the job done. If you need some tips here is a great article for trimming your dog's nails at home https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/trimming-your-dogs.../.
Meals
If your pup's meal time is at a time before your session. I recommend feeding a smaller portion before your session. We don't want your dog to be hungry but I like to use a lot of treats during sessions and it could be to our benefit that your dog is interested in snacks.
Practice Commands
Pre-photo session you may want to brush up on some basic commands (sit, stay, lay down). By no means is this a requirement or if your doggie has no clue what 'sit" means, no worries I got this. I have worked with a large variety of breeds, personalities, and training levels.
What I recommend that clients carry in a bag for dog sessions;
- Water
- Waste bags
- Collar and lead
- Favorite toy/s
- Favorite treats (the more the better)
- anything else you would like to bring
Get Ready!!
After you finish making your final preparations all that is left is to relax, rest up, and get excited for the fun we will have during our session!is