Canine Prep Guide
Welcome to your complimentary prep guide for your dog photoshoot! The personal tips and tricks below are ones I have learned over many years of photographing dogs, and following this guide will ensure your photoshoot will be an enjoyable success, resulting in stunning artwork created from your own dogs beauty and the relationship you have with them.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND…
I can work limited magic in post production, but any additional touch ups you request may be accompanied by a charge per image. For best results, please follow the recommendations provided in this guide.
Have a Spa Day!
The photographs from your photoshoot are meant to be enlarged to decorate your home for years to come. Let’s help out your pup in looking their best by scheduling an appointment to be professionally groomed. If you plan to groom at home, give them a good bath, rake out their coats, and trim up the fly-aways so that their smiles and wagging tails can shine through in the images.
Once you have your pup groomed, please make sure to keep them away from the mud and freshly cut grass!
Exercise Your Dog
Is your pup always full of energy?! Plan to exercise your dog before we begin your photoshoot. This will allow your dog to let loose, be a wild child, and have some fun before we ask them to listen or stay still for 15-30 seconds at a time. No worries, we will still be abe to get some great action shots, but having a tired dog will allow you to relax and enjoy your experience more.
If it is hot outside, plan for a water and cool down break so your pup can relax enough to close it’s mouth comfortably.
Limit Food
If your photoshoot is scheduled within a few hours of your dog’s mealtime, only feed your dog HALF of the normal amount of food. Don’t worry! Your dog won’t go hungry! We will be rewarding your dog with treats throughout the photoshoot.
I ask you to withhold a bit of their normal meal only because a hungry dog will be a motivated dog!
Remember, bring the best snacks possible!
Have Treats!
Splurge and get the best treats, ones that your dog doesn’t get everyday. Small cubes of cheese, cut up hot dogs, bacon bits, or some Puperoni. Your dog is more likely to work for the extra good, extra special snacks!
Bring Their Favorite Toys!
If your dog isn’t food motivated, but loves a particular toy, pick up the toy two days prior to your photoshoot. When his/her favorite toy reappears at the photoshoot your dog will be excited and ready to do anything to have time to play with their toy.
Leashes & Collars
Please refrain from using shock or bark collars or harnesses (unless specifically used for working discipline) during your photoshoot as they cover up much of your dog and are distracting to anyone viewing the photograph. Flat or rolled collars are the best options! Please make sure they are clean and sized properly so your dog can’t slip it’s collar.
Thin, leather or cotton, 6-10’ leashes are best if you dog requires to be leashed. A longer catch cord will be provided from my personal bag that will allow your dog to play freely while still being leashed. The thin catch chord will be removed in post production. If your dog is well trained and can play off leash, that is always preferred!
( Before and After of the catch chord removal during the editing process. )
Lots of Love
Be prepared to spoil your dog with treats, toys and lots of love!Throughout the session we will play my favorite game of who can get your dog’s tail to wag the most! This can be done simply by smiling at your dog, telling them they are the best dog in the world, or playing with their favorite toy. When your dog is happy, you are happy, and these memories make the best photographs.
Litters of Pups
Are you expecting a litter of pups and want them photographed? Please be in touch as soon as you know the due date!
There is a very small window during the physical and mental development of the litter that allows us the perfect advantage to get the ideal photos. We want them old enough to recognize the breed, but young enough that they can’t scamper away or taste test all of the props we may be using!
Puppies are photographed individually, in groups, as a whole litter, and with the parents (if available). This is a great chance for you as the breeder to have your bloodlines photographed, use the final images as advertisement, and to capture a chapter of your life you won’t ever want to forget!
Please Keep in Mind …
If you don’t want it to show in the photos, let’s prepare to have it taken care of before the photoshoot! I can work some magic in post production, but any additional touch ups you request will be accompanied by a charge per image.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Don’t hesitate to reach out! I am looking forward to our upcoming photoshoot and can not wait to make beautiful images with you!
