What to Bring for Your Pet Photography Session
This session is all about your pet’s personality, calm, happy and completely themselves. A little preparation makes a big difference, so here is what to bring and how to help the day go smoothly.
Animals read the room. A relaxed owner makes for a relaxed pet, so there is no need to worry about the perfect sit or a flawless stay. My job is to catch the real character, the head tilt, the daft grin, the calm gaze. Yours is simply to help them feel at ease.
Start here
The basics
High-value treats
Bring the good stuff, the treats they only get on special days. Brilliant for holding attention and rewarding a good sit.
A favourite toy
A squeaky or favourite toy sparks those ears-up, alert expressions. Even the sound of it is often enough.
A familiar blanket or bed
Something that smells of home helps them settle in a new space quickly, and it can double as a prop.
Come after a walk
A little exercise first burns off the fizz, so they arrive calmer and more ready to work with us.
Bring a helper
A second person to hold, reassure and grab their attention is worth its weight in gold, especially for lively dogs.
Checklist
What to bring
- High-value treats
- A favourite squeaky toy
- A familiar blanket or bed
Lead and harness
A water bowl
A grooming brush- A helper to assist
Poo bags, just in case
If you are in the photos too
Wear simple solid colours that do not clash with your pet’s coat, and avoid wearing their exact colour so you both stand out. Pick something you do not mind getting a little fur or a muddy paw on. It always happens, and it is part of the fun.
At the studio, or on location
My studio is at Base Business Park in Rendlesham, about 15 minutes from the A12, with plenty of free parking. There is a private changing room, a mirror to get ready, and toilets on site. Pet sessions can also be photographed on location, a favourite walk or your own home, if that helps your pet relax.
Good to know
Questions owners ask
My dog is nervous or very excitable. Is that a problem?
Not at all. We take it at their pace. Nervous pets get time to sniff around and settle before we start, and lively ones usually calm down once the novelty wears off. I would rather spend ten minutes letting them relax than rush and lose the real character.
Can I bring more than one pet?
Yes. We can photograph them together and separately. Two or more just takes a little longer, which is where a helper really earns their keep. Tell me in advance so I can plan the session around it.
Do you photograph cats and other animals?
I do. Dogs are the most common visitors, but cats, rabbits and other pets are welcome. For animals that travel less happily, an on-location session at home is often the kinder choice.
What if my puppy is not fully vaccinated yet?
The studio is a clean, private space, so a young puppy can visit before they are out and about in public. If you have any concerns, check with your vet first, and we can always shoot at your home instead.
How long does a session take?
Allow two to three hours, and up to four if we need it. That gives your pet room to settle and gives us time to work without the clock rushing us. We build in breaks so nobody gets tired or fed up.
Do they need to be trained?
No. A basic sit helps, but it is not essential. Treats, a toy and a bit of patience get us a long way, and some of the best shots come from a pet just being themselves rather than posing.
Studio in Rendlesham, Suffolk · call 07884 366342 · bob@foyers.photography