Pet Portrait Session Guide

Before your shoot complete your usual grooming routine. If you use a groomer it is best to try to get booked in 2 weeks before your shoot. Pets that are fresh out of the groom room have that fresh-cut look which can look unnatural in images. The day of your shoot be sure to wipe away those little “eye bogies.” If it’s possible, try to brush up on those basic commands such as sit and stay. 

Your photo shoot will last approximately one hour. We will move at your pet’s pace. We may not come away with lots of images. It depends solely on your pet on the day, but we will concentrate on getting you images you are proud to display. I strongly believe that this is more important that quantity. I promise you will come away with images that you love! My sessions are not rushed and relaxed and I certainly won’t be making your pet do anything that they are uncomfortable with.

When it comes to dogs, it is recommended that he or she has been walked beforehand, especially if they’re a little excitable. I do all of my sessions in the great outdoors. This is in the interests of capturing their personality. This may be where they are most comfortable. In order to capture the spirit of your pet, I will take photographs of them doing their own thing, as well as shots and portraits of them looking at the camera. I can do a studio style shot in your home. However, a lot of space is needed for this and due to having to bring studio equipment such as lighting stands and backdrops, pets will need well behaved and respond well to commands in the interests of their own safety. I ask that you don’t have your pet wearing a harness during the photoshoot itself, though if that is what you usually wear for walking then I am more than happy for you to use it until the shoot commences and in between shots when moving between locations. Try to avoid big, chunky collars with dangly name tags and thick leads. If for safety reasons your pet needs to remain leashed, a thin cord-type of lead is ideal, the thinner the better. If you don’t have one please don’t go out and buy one specially. Let me know and i’ll bring mine! Feel free to bring your pet’s favourite toys and treats for bribery are an absolute must! Whilst I try not to encourage the use of single use wet wipes, they can be useful if your pet is a bit of a mud dweller! If you are bringing along more than one dog, please bring another person to assist.

I do encourage you to get involved and have a few shots taken of yourself with your pet! You don’t have to of course, but it’s a lovely keepsake. Whilst you may take lots of photos of your pets, how many do you have of the both of you together? 

Finally, I ask you to be patient. Pets can be excitable, they don’t know what a photo shoot is and don’t know what is expected of them, so it can be difficult to get the shot. We want to make it an enjoyable experience so that they want to work with us and that personality remains shining. The chances are that they are not going to immediately do what is asked for them, but please don’t get stressed out about it. It can be frustrating when they are not cooperating or are too excited and ignore commands but don’t worry – we’ll get there with lots of praise, encouragement and treats. Dogs sense stress so that’s not going to make it a good experience for them.

After the Session
Once your images are ready, your watermarked images will be presented to you via an online gallery where you can download them and share to your social media. You will also have the opportunity to order any prints or products. And if you need it, I will help you choose the perfect wall art, prints or other pieces to suit your requirements. Always with a no hard-sell guarantee! My promise is to create beautiful images, then offer relaxed, impartial guidance to help you choose the perfect finished style from the options available.

These choices are yours! There will never be any pressure to spend a penny, you can spend as much or as little as you like. You could make a statement in your home and choose from a range of wall art styles or you can look at more discreet options such as a folio box, an album or simple prints.

The products on offer are the best quality professional products available. I guarantee you’ll be amazed by their quality. These are heirloom pieces that when cared for appropriately, will last your lifetime and beyond. 

Still not sure whether a photo shoot is for you? Then feel free to request an informal meeting. We can get together for a coffee and a chat about it and you can decide whether I am the right fit for you as your photographer. I’m also happy to come and meet your pet before any booking is made.

Pet Portrait Photographer North Yorkshire. Covering Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale, Osmotherley, Hurworth, Catterick, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Richmond, and surrounding areas.