You’ve booked your session — great decision. Now the most common question I get is: “Is there anything I should do beforehand?”
The short answer is: not much. The sessions are designed to be relaxed and fun, and dogs generally take care of the energy themselves. But there are a few things that genuinely make a difference to the photos you’ll walk away with. Here’s what I tell every client before we shoot.
Groom Them — But Not the Day Before
If your dog gets professionally groomed, time it for three to five days before the session, not the day before. A freshly groomed dog often looks a little too neat — clipped coats can look flat in photos, and some dogs are a bit uncomfortable or stiff right after a groom. A few days’ growth gives the coat a natural softness that photographs beautifully.
If your dog doesn’t get groomed, a good brush and a quick check for any matting around the ears and neck is all you need. Clean paws are a bonus but honestly — we’re usually in a park, so don’t stress about it.
Skip the Meal Before the Session
This one makes a meaningful difference. A slightly hungry dog is a much more engaged dog. When I pull out the treats — and I always bring good ones — a dog that hasn’t eaten in a few hours will give you eye contact, focus, and expression that a full dog simply won’t bother with.
Don’t starve them, just hold off on that last meal until after we’re done. And bring their absolute favourite treats if they have a strong preference — something small and smelly works best. Cheese, liver treats, or those freeze-dried meat ones are gold.
Let Them Burn Some Energy First — But Not Too Much
A dog that arrives completely wired after being cooped up all morning is harder to work with. If possible, give them a short walk beforehand to take the edge off. The sweet spot is calm but curious — alert enough to engage, settled enough to hold a moment.
That said, don’t exhaust them. An overtired dog will just flop in the shade and look at you with maximum disinterest, which I speak from experience on.
Bring the Leash, Even If They’re Good Off-Lead
Always bring a leash. Even in off-leash areas, it’s useful for the first few minutes of a session while a dog acclimates to me and the environment. Once everyone’s comfortable, we’ll remove it. If a leash does end up in a shot, I can remove it in post-production at no extra charge — so there’s no reason not to use one if you have any doubt at all.
Tell Me About Them Before We Start
Five minutes of conversation at the start of a session is worth 50 photos. Tell me:
- What genuinely gets their attention (a specific word, a sound, a toy)
- Whether they’re nervous around other dogs, traffic, or strangers
- Any quirks — do they bolt when they see water? Do they freeze when they’re unsettled?
- What their energy is like today compared to normal
The more I understand your dog before I lift the camera, the faster we find our rhythm and the better the results. I’ve photographed dogs with serious anxiety, reactive dogs, dogs who are almost completely deaf, elderly dogs who move slowly — and with a bit of preparation and patience, every single one has produced beautiful images.
What You Wear Matters (A Little)
If you want to be in some of the photos — and many clients do, which I love — think about what you’re wearing. A few simple guidelines:
Plain colours photograph better than busy patterns. Logos, bold graphics, and stripes can distract the eye away from your dog, which is presumably the star of the show.
Think about contrast with your dog’s coat. If you have a white Maltese, wearing a white shirt means you’ll both disappear into each other. A soft colour that contrasts with their coat keeps the focus right.
Dress for the outdoors and for movement. We’ll be crouching, walking, possibly chasing a dog across a park. Comfort and practicality over anything else.
On the Day, Stay Calm
Dogs read human energy with impressive accuracy. If you arrive stressed, rushing, or anxious about whether the session will go well, they’ll pick it up immediately. The sessions work best when owners arrive relaxed and treat the whole thing as a fun outing with their dog — because that’s exactly what it is.
I’ll take care of the photography. Your one job is to enjoy it.
What to Expect
Most sessions run for around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your package and how the dog is travelling. We’ll move between a few different spots within a location to vary the backgrounds and light. I shoot a lot of frames — you’ll have plenty to choose from. Turnaround is typically 24–48 hours.
If you’ve got questions before your session, always feel free to reach out. I’d rather spend five minutes on the phone answering questions so that we’re on the same page, rather than have it become an issue on the day.
Ready to book? View our session packages and pricing here.
