A little preparation goes a long way. Here's everything you need to know before your session day so you can relax and enjoy it.
Preparing Your Dog
Groom them beforehand
A bath and brush a day or two before the session means they'll look their best. Avoid bathing on the day itself — freshly bathed coats can look a little flat.
Exercise them first
Give your dog some exercise earlier in the day to help them feel calm and focused. Just don't overdo it — avoid having them come to the session too tired or out of breath.
Skip the big meal
Don't feed them right before the session. Treats work better as motivation when your dog is a little peckish.
Bring high-value treats
Bring something they go absolutely crazy for — this is not the day for their regular kibble. Small treats work best — dime-sized for bigger dogs and pea-sized for smaller ones.
Bring their favourite toy
A beloved toy can bring out the best expressions and help nervous dogs relax. It's also great for action shots.
Keep their routine normal
Don't do anything unusual the day before. Stick to their normal routine so they're settled and comfortable.
Grooming Tips
Brush your pet thoroughly to help the coat shine and remove any mats or dead hair.
If they look a bit scruffy around the face, a subtle trim around the eyes will help their eyes be visible in your final images.
Wipe away eye boogies, do your best to clean up tear stains, and trim nails to an appropriate length.
If your pet gets professionally groomed, make the appointment a few days to a couple of weeks prior — not the day before. Nothing is more stressful than going straight from the groomer to your session.
Choosing a Collar
Please bring your pet to the session in a collar and leash. A flat collar or buckle collar photographs best. For sighthounds or dogs that can easily slip out of a flat collar, a martingale collar is a great alternative.
Collars should be clean and well-fitted. A properly sized collar is both more photogenic and safer during your session.
Limit the number of tags on your dog's collar — they can be extremely distracting in portraits. Text or personal information may be challenging to remove in post-processing.
Harnesses will NOT be removed during post-processing and are best avoided if you don't like the look of them in your final images.
Gentle leaders and head halters will also NOT be removed — they leave unsightly shadows or pull on the dog's skin.
What to Wear
Wear something you feel comfortable and like yourself in. The goal is to look like you, not a version of you that's trying too hard. I will be asking you to run, walk, squat, and play alongside your pet — so choose clothing that allows you to do so without risking an awkward wardrobe malfunction.
Avoid clothing with loud patterns, words or logos — they can be distracting. Stick to solid colours or subtle patterns.
Earthy, muted tones photograph beautifully — think greens, creams, warm browns, soft terracotta.
Avoid very bright white or neon colours — they can distract from your pet and can even produce a colour cast on lighter-coloured pets.
Layers add interest — a cosy knit, a linen shirt, a denim jacket. Hats, belts, scarves, and jewellery also photograph really well.
If more than one person will be posing with your pet, coordinate your colours rather than matching exactly.
If you've got a shedder, be mindful that pet hair shows up against dark colours (black and navy especially).
If you have dark-coloured pets, go with light or mid-tone colours so your dog doesn't blend into your clothing.
Don't forget your shoes! Your dog spends a lot of time down by your feet. Bring comfortable walking shoes and slip into more stylish ones when the time comes.
If you wear glasses, non-reflective lenses are preferred. Avoid transition lenses as they become problematic as light changes.
Worried about what to wear? Shoot me an email with photos or a few links if you're online shopping. I'm happy to offer feedback and suggestions to help style your session.
What to Bring
High-value treats (the good stuff — not their regular kibble)
Their favourite toy
Water and a bowl — especially for outdoor sessions
A long lead or flexi-lead for off-lead moments in safe areas
A towel (just in case)
A flat collar (if your dog normally wears a harness)
Any special accessories or props that feel meaningful to you
One last thing
Please let me know in advance if your dog has any fears, triggers, or health considerations. The more I know, the better I can set up the session for success.