I love engagement sessions with dogs!
When Erin and Kristopher asked me if they could bring along their dogs Kuemper & Kado for their engagement session, of course I said yes! There’s nothing better than some puppy love to bring out genuine laughter and a little bit of fun.
However, the experience of actually bringing a dog to your photo shoot can potentially be very stressful. So, I’ve put together a list of 5 tips for bringing your dog to your engagement session to ensure the best experience possible:
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Bring a friend to help
Bring someone with you to help with the dog when it’s time for photos of just the two of you. It is never safe for a pet to be left alone in a car for an extended period of time (especially during the hot summer months or cold winter days!) and having an extra hand to walk your dog during portions of the shoot is the best way to go. It’s intimidating enough being in front of the camera for a professional photo shoot and adding a dog into the picture can add unwanted stress and potentially ruin your whole photo experience. I always start the photo shoot without the dog. This way, you get used to being in front of the camera without having to worry about making your dog sit and behave. After the first 15 or 20 minutes of the session, I’ll add them in!
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Bring treats
Always bring treats! It’s a great way to get your pup to look towards the camera. Plus they’ll need a reward for taking pictures! Whoever comes along with you to the photo shoot can help out by holding treats behind me, above the camera or just by standing next to me.
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Think about your leash
You already spent time coordinating your outfits and picking your colors so make sure your leash doesn’t clash with the colors you’ve chosen. If your outfits are more neutral in color and your dog’s leash is neon pink or camo, it will definitely stick out! Consider getting a more neutral colored leash to match your colors. I love these Leather Braided Dog Leashes, they look elegant and will go with any outfit.
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Bring doggie bags
This should go without saying. If we’re shooting in a public park, it’s very important to bring along doggie bags. It also saves you from any potentially embarrassing situations if you are caught unprepared! These are my favorites, made of recycled materials, leek proof and lavender scented.
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Tire them out before the shoot!
This tip is often ignored in the chaos of preparing for your engagement pictures. It is always a good idea to give your dog plenty of exercise the morning before the shoot, especially if they are puppies or young dogs. A long walk or a few extra minutes of play can help your dog relax and feel at ease before a shoot and gets out some of their nervous energy. It’s harder to photograph a very hyper dog that only wants to run and jump around after being cooped up all day, than it is to photograph the same dog after a long walk who is just happy to be spending some time in the outdoors. A tired dog is a very happy and photogenic dog! This will make a huge difference!
So when you’re planning your engagement session and you love your dogs as much I love mine, don’t be afraid to bring them along! Just make sure your photographer knows your furry friend is coming along for the ride.
Love, Eugenia
You can check Kris and Erin’s wedding at Cannon River Winery right here.
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