Why Your Dog Belongs in Your Family Photos!

Let's be honest. Dogs are family. They're on the sofa, they're in the garden, they're the first ones at the door when you get home. So why on earth would we leave them out of your family portraits?

As a family photographer, one of the questions I get asked most is: "Can we bring our dog?"And my answer is always the same absolutely, yes. In fact, I'd encourage it.

Dogs bring a kind of honest, joyful energy to a shoot that you simply cannot manufacture. Some of my favourite images have come from a dog bounding into frame at exactly the right moment.

That said, there are a few things I want every family to know before they arrive with their furry best friend in tow. So here's everything you need to prepare for a shoot that includes your dog. Straight from someone who's been on the other side of the camera through every kind of canine chaos.

First things first: location matters

Before anything else, if you're planning to bring your dog along, please let me know in advance. Not every location I shoot at is dog-friendly, and the last thing we want is to arrive at a beautiful spot only to discover dogs aren't permitted.

My personal favourite locations for shoots with dogs are beaches and open fields and it's not hard to see why. These spaces give dogs room to breathe, run, and simply be themselves. There's nothing unusual or stressful about the environment for them, and that freedom shows in the photos. Natural settings produce natural images.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Always mention you'll be bringing your dog when enquiring about a session. I'll make sure we choose a location that works perfectly for both your family and your pet.

What to bring on the day

A little preparation goes a long way. Here's what I recommend every family brings along to a shoot with their dog:

• ✓Treats — and plenty of them. They are your single greatest tool on a shoot. More on this in a moment.

• ✓A lead — even if your dog is well-trained, there will be moments where you'll need to bring them back into the frame.

• ✓Poo bags — we're outdoors, nature calls. No further explanation needed!

• ✓A familiar toy or stick — great for keeping things playful and natural during the session.

Managing a dog on the day , the honest truth

Dogs are full of energy. They don't understand that you've hired a photographer.

They don't know we're trying to capture a beautiful moment. As far as they're concerned, we've gone to a brilliant outdoor space and it is absolutely time to play. And you know what? That's completely fine.

Children are much the same. Neither kids nor dogs grasp the concept of "stand still and look at the camera," and honestly that not what I'm looking for because some of the best photos come from embracing that. The laughing, the chaos, the dog charging into frame. That's real life. That's your family.

Rather than spending the entire session battling to get everyone perfectly still, here's what actually works: we focus on you, your partner, and your children first, and then we bring the dog in for some shots.

When they're not directly needed, let them run. Let them enjoy the fresh air. A dog that's been allowed to stretch their legs will be far more cooperative when we do need them in the frame.

The treat trick , it really works

If there's one golden tip I give every family before a shoot, it's this: bring your dog's absolute favourite treat. Not the everyday ones the special ones they go wild for.

When we're trying to get a shot with your child and your dog together which is often one of the most sought-after images in any family shoot have someone stand directly behind me and talk to your dog. Call their name, hold up a treat, make some noise. Your dog's eyes will lock right onto that spot, and in that moment, you've got your photo. It works every single time.

PHOTOGRAPHER'S SECRET

Have a family member stand just behind the camera holding a treat and calling the dog's name. It's the quickest way to get those beautiful, direct-to-camera moments with your pet.

When the dog just won't cooperate

Sometimes and let's be real, it does happen a dog just has that energy. The kind where they want to run, sniff everything in a 200-metre radius, and loop back only to zoom off again. That is absolutely fine. We work with it.

One of my favourite approaches when a dog has the zoomies is to lean into it: get the children involved in throwing a stick or playing a little game with the dog. Suddenly, you have both kids and dog entertained, burning off energy, completely unaware of the camera. And those images?

Genuinely some of the most natural, joyful shots you'll ever get. The laughter is real, the movement is real, and the connection between your children and their dog is completely authentic.

Bringing a dog doesn't change your session time

One thing people are often surprised to hear: bringing your dog doesn't mean you need to book a longer session or pay anything extra. The time stays the same as any other family shoot I offer. We simply weave your dog into the session naturally some shots with them, some without. It's fluid, it's relaxed, and it genuinely adds so much character to your gallery.

The bottom line

Your dog is part of your family. They're in your home, in your daily life, in the background of every memory you make. They deserve their moment in the spotlight just as much as everyone else. And trust me years from now, you will treasure those photos of your children with their dog far more than you can imagine right now.

So if you've been wondering whether to include your dog in your shoot do it. Come prepared, embrace the beautiful chaos, and let me do the rest.

Ready to book a family shoot that includes your dog? Get in touch I'd love to capture your whole family, tail-waggers included.