Ask Anything :: Dogs and Engagement Sessions

 

Oh those adorable fur babies! We love them as much as you do! These pups have your heart and we understand why many couples choose to have their dogs in their engagement photos. Often we’re asked “can we bring our dog to the engagement session?” and our answer is always yes! Of course you can! We love adding 4 legged friends to the mix during engagement sessions! Of course, there are things to consider when deciding to bring your fur babies along for your engagement session. Today we have a list of things you can do to help make your engagement session with pup included, go smoothly.

1.Bring a puppy sitter. While we will spend some time focused on getting shots of your sweet pup, the vast majority of your photos during this engagement session still need to be about just the couple, focused on who they are and their connection. So we’ll begin the session with the puppy, getting in a good 10 to 15 minutes of photos with him/her (that by the way is usually all they’ll be willing to give us). Then when we’re finished with the pup photos, you as a couple will need to be able to focus on working together and staying connected for your photos. So please make sure to bring along a puppy sitter, someone who you trust, who can take the dog for a walk nearby while we finish out the rest of your session. The last thing you want to have to do, is worry about keeping your pup tied to a tree while trying to have your photos taken. (And as a side note, no we as the photographers can’t hold the leash either. Our hands are busy holding cameras.)

2. Come prepared. Treats… lots of treats. This is a time to go ahead and spoil those puppies for good behavior. Bring along some baggies for you know what, and a few favorite toys to help the puppy sitter keep your furry friend busy with. You might also want to splurge on a collar and leash that are new, clean and match your outfits!

3. Have zero expectations. Most dogs we’ve worked with are better behaved than some children we know (like Maggie’s boys for example) but that doesn’t mean all dogs will do all tricks requested of them. Sometimes they sit perfectly still, and smile at the camera on command. Sometimes, more often than not, dogs will be inclined to do their own thing and we as humans do our best to work around their mood. Keeping the photos with you and your pup natural, candid and fun will create a smooth transition in and out of photos. Without strict Pinterest wish lists and demands of your pup, you’ll be better able to just enjoy the photos we get, allowing their sweet, fun, joyful, rambunctious personalities shine through.