Welcome Chipper!

More and more of my clients are choosing to include their dogs in their family portrait sessions. If you wouldn’t think of picturing your family without your four-legged friend(s), then these tips for including your dog in your family portrait session is for you!

We had fun exploring Stony Creek Park in Lansdale. It has beautiful tall grass, a pond, gazebo, and nature trail. We timed the session perfectly this past Spring, with all the flowering trees.

The C Family adopted Chipper, an Australian Labradoodle, with a very sweet demeanor. He’s the perfect addition to their family! You will see from the photos below, how much they love him! Chipper learned a few commands, and completed his puppy training, before the family booked this session.

Here are some helpful tips when including your pets in portrait sessions:

Invite a friend

Invite a friend to come along to the session. It is helpful to have an extra set of hands, to walk the dog after their photo op.

Location

Discuss your plans to bring your dog with your photographer, and select a location that is dog-friendly. If the location is new, take your four-legged friend for a test walk prior to the session, to get them familiar with it.

Treats

Bring along dog treats, but hide them in your bag, only to be brought out in emergencies. You know your dog best, but we’ve found that if we start the session with treats, the dog will probably only be interested in getting more, rather than interacting naturally with you all. That goes for kids too!

Do

Allow the photographer to build up some rapport with the dog before the session officially starts. It can also be a good idea to bring along your dog’s favorite toy to capture their playful side.

Contact me today, to include your four-legged best friend in your portrait session!