Top Tips for Taking Senior Photos with Your Pets…Yes, Please Include Your Pet!

Your furry family members are an essential part of your life, so it only makes sense that you’d want to include them in some of your senior photos.

To make this a fun experience without sacrificing the quality of your photos, here are a few tips to read through before your session.

-Consider your pet's usual behavior before selecting a photographer and location. Are they comfortable around strangers? Do they dislike being held? Is traveling with them by car a hassle-free experience? Understanding your pet's temperament and habits will assist in planning a successful photo session.

- Bring someone along with you. Since your pet might not be in all your photos with you, bring someone along who can manage your pet in between shots. I also suggest having that someone take your pet after about 30 minutes. The pet wont want to be stuck in the car the whole time while we get the rest of your portraits taken.

- Have a carrier or leash with you. Depending on where your shoot will take place, it is important to bring a carrier or leash with you. This will prevent your pet from running away and putting themselves in harm’s way during all the excitement.

- Bring some treats. If your dog or pet responds to treats as a reward for good behavior, bring them along to your session.

- Think twice about the location. The location you pick should fit in with your pet. If you know that your dog would go crazy in a setting where there’s a lot to do and see, you may want to have your shoot at home or in a quieter park instead.

- Just as you would prepare for your senior photos, ensure your pet looks their best as well. Arrange a grooming session for your pet either the day before or on the day of your photo shoot.

- Choose the right outfit. Find an outfit that matches your pet. For starters, your outfit should be easy to move in and not show hair or dirt easily. You should also find a way to match your outfit to your pet’s collar or bow – whatever you choose to dress them in. It’s best not to opt for wacky pet outfits as this could the focus off you.

Relax into it. You never quite know what might happen during a photo session with a pet, so it’s best to have fun and go with the flow. Not every photo with your pet needs to be perfect, and honestly, they won't be. It can be very challenging to photograph a pet, but it is 100% worth it and worth trying.

When you think of photo sessions with a pet, you may be thinking of cats or dogs, but remember that you can include any type of pet you want. My daughter has a rabbit, and every so often we do portraits of her with her rabbit. If you have some chickens…I would love to photograph you with them!