How to Prepare Your Dog for a Photoshoot
Taking your dog for a photoshoot is a great way to capture their personality and bond with them. But before you head to the shoot, there are a few things to bare in mind to help make everything run smoothly.
1. Groom Your Dog
Make sure your dog is clean and well-groomed for their photoshoot. This means giving them a bath, brushing their fur, and trimming their nails. You may also want to consider taking them to the groomer for a professional grooming session.
2. Remove Eye Boogers
Dogs often get small eye boogers, its always worth trying to clean these off as your dogs’ eyes are where the focus will be. Although these can be removed in posts its always better to remove them where possible.
3. Practice Some Basic Commands
If you can get your dog to respond to some basic commands it will make the shoot mush easier, the main commands to practise are sit, stay, lay and come. If your dog will respond to those commands it will help with placing the dog and getting them to stay in great locations while they are photographed.
4. Bring Some of Your Dog’s Favourite Toys
If your dog has a favourite toy especially if it makes a noise it may be worth bringing it along as it help get their attention and direct their focus where we want it.
5. Dress Your Dog in Something Special
Although it is often nice to remove collars during a portrait session, if your dog has a special collar or one that just adds to the dogs image then be sure to bring it along.
6. Bring some water and snacks for your dog.
This will help to keep them hydrated and energized during the shoot.
7. Relax and Enjoy the Experience.
The most important thing is to have fun with your dog and capture their personality in the photos.
8. Bring Some Small Treats
Most dogs love food and a great way to get them to sit and stay is to bribe them with treats, we may need to give them several treats during the shoot so it is best to use relatively small one so not to fill them up to much.
9. Take Your Dog For a Walk First
Particularly if you have a very energetic and excitable dog, by using up a bit of energy before the shoot them may be a little calmer and easier to control.
10. Be Patient and Positive
The most important thing is to be patient and positive with your dog during the photoshoot. Remember that they are probably just as excited as you are, so try to make the experience fun for them. If they start to get restless, take a break and give them some time to relax.
With a little preparation, you can help your dog to have a great time at their photoshoot. And you’ll be rewarded with beautiful photos that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Lastly be prepared for anything. Dogs are unpredictable, so be prepared for them to do something unexpected during the shoot. Just roll with it and have fun!