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February 19, 2015 By PamellaVann 4 Comments

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy policies here

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11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement Session

11-tips-to-incorporate-pets-into-your-engagement-or-wedding-session

Do your want to incorporate your dog or pets into your Engagement Session, next Portrait Session, or Wedding?
1-Bring a third person or trainer to the appointment or event.

Engagement sessions are usually 1 to 2 hours, multiple locations, and involve a few outfit changes. It is not practical to expect a pet to endure all of that. When booking your session, bring a friend or relative that can take the animal with them once you are done with the portraits you want with your pet. Be prepared to change outfits after pet pictures.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

2- Plan very carefully for your pet if you are incorporating them into your big day. Weddings take all day.  If they are not part of the ceremony, it might be best to have them arranged to be there just for the group and couple pictures. Again, you will need to have someone, not in the wedding party, who is dedicated to taking care of them for you. You will have way too much going on and will not have the adequate time think and care for your pet that day.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

3- Preparing your pet for the session.

Take dogs on a nice long walk before the scheduled appointment or the morning of the wedding. This will help with their energy levels and obedience.

4- Take the extra steps to make sure the dog is properly groomed.

5- Props or Outfits

If you are having the dog or pet wear any props or outfits for this appointment, let them try it on multiple times before the day of the appointment. Also, pick out neutral colored leashes, harnesses, and collars if possible.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

6-Bring treats and favorite toys.

Anything that can help the photographer to grab the attention of the pet, when needed, is really helpful. Plus, it is important to reward the dog for good behavior and pictures.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

7-Pick safe locations.

Think about leash laws, traffic, and all of the possible scenarios. The safety of your pet should always come first. Ask for your photographer’s advice, about locations suggestions, when planning the session. For weddings, check with your venue or church about their pet policy.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

8-Make sure your photographer is pet friendly.

Not everyone loves big dogs that jump and lick them. Try to pick a photographer that has some experience with working with animals and their clients. Posing, camera settings, and possible lighting (some animals will not like Flash) can all vary when photographing with animals.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

9-Have realistic expectations and patience.

Animals have a mind of their own and ultimately will do as they want to do. Proper training and preparation is extremely helpful, but sometimes even with the best case scenario, the pet might not corporate the way you envisioned. Try not to get frustrated or angry, the pet will feed on the negative energy and the attempts to get a good photo will just go downhill from there. Take a break from photographing with them and then come back to it if possible.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

10-Give the photographer time to bond with the animal.

The first 10 sometimes 15 minutes with a pet may have nothing to do with taking photos. It is important for the pet to sniff, play, and check out the new person (photographer) before the photos begin.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

And that is it! These are the tips that I give to every client who is planning to incorporate their pets into any session or wedding. Here are two photos of my daughter and our two dogs Blue, and Lucy.

11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

BONUS! 11- This section is just for horses. Make sure you have a horse trainer or owner with you when incorporating horses into the session. It is important to be familiar with the horse that you want to incorporate into the session. They are very large animals and have much more safety rules that apply when around them.
11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session11 Tips to Incorporate Pets into your Engagement or Wedding Session

 

 

Filed Under: Wedding Photography Tips

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Comments

  1. Christine L says

    February 23, 2015 at 8:45 am

    What great tips! I’m already married (I wish I had found this then!), but I’m sure many of these could be applied to future family photo sessions so that we can include our just as important fur babies in the photos!!! That’s for all the advice!!

    Reply
  2. Susan Mahlburg says

    February 23, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    Love these! My sister-in-law is getting married this October (in Colorado), and I’m pretty sure their Golden Retriever is going to be the Ring Bearer. #SoCute

    Reply
  3. Aimee Ramos Fauci says

    February 23, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    These are so cute! I could not imagine ..unless a dog is well trained.. which none of mine ever were.. how they stay so calm.

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    February 23, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    I really wish i would have gotten my cats in my wedding photos! They mean the world to me!

    Reply

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I'm Erin. The girl behind Sixth Bloom. Having been a professional photographer for 7 years along with teaching photography workshops for 5 years I'm now bringing it to you through the blog. Will you join me in this journey of teaching you how to become a better photographer?
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