I’m not joking when I say the number one question I get asked when planning photography sessions is “How can we include our pets in the session?”. And of course my answer is a resounding YES!! There are a number of ways we can make sure they are incorporated into your family session, in a safe and realistic way. They are very important parts of your family, so we want to make sure to capture them, too! Today I’d like to share a few tips on how to include pets in your next in-home photography session
3 Tips on how to include pets in your next in home photography session:
1. Set your expectations ahead of time
You know your pet better than anyone. Adjusting your expectations to match their personality is always my number one suggestion. If your dog is very hyper around strangers, maybe we don’t include him in photos until I have been in the house for a while. And what if your cat is really antisocial? We can move the crew into the room they are and capture them where they are comfortable. If you’ve got a new puppy who loves to play catch, we can get the family involved for some back yard fun and incorporate that into the shoot!
No matter the personality traits, taking them into consideration before hand and adjusting your expectations accordingly will set us up for success. And I can guarantee their personality will shine through in the photos!
2. Have treats on hand
Especially with dogs, treats can help motivate them. It’s a shame they can’t quite understand that we just want them to sit pretty and look into the camera for 10 seconds! However, having some treats on hand can definitely help me get their attention. I have found there are some dogs who are very put-off my by camera and do not want to look into the lens, but sometimes treats can get them more comfortable with me so I can get a look or two.
3. Safety first, always
I always use the utmost caution when including pets into sessions, especially with newborns. No matter how well trained they are. I will never leave your baby alone with a pet, and we use an extreme amount of caution when laying a baby near a pet. Like I mentioned earlier, you know your pet best and know what your comfort level is, but I will always air on the side of caution. Taking photos with the pet and baby in your arms, or you holding the baby near the pet is always the safest scenario.
At the end of the day, I can’t wait to include your furry bestie in your next session! They are important parts of our family and our stories. So the next time you are asking how to include your pets in your next in-home photography session, we can work together to make it happen! Get in touch today so we can start planning!
