I get this question more often than you might expect: can we bring the dog? And my answer is almost always yes – with some honest caveats that will make the difference between a session that flows beautifully and one that turns into a comedy of errors.
Dogs are family. I genuinely believe that. And when it works well, a session with a dog adds a layer of warmth, movement, and personality that’s hard to replicate any other way. Here’s how to make it work.
Real talk about dogs in photo sessions
Dogs are unpredictable. That’s part of their charm in real life – and part of the challenge in a photography session. A dog who is perfectly well-behaved at home can become a creature of pure chaos the moment you arrive at a beach with new smells, new sounds, and a stranger pointing a camera at their family.
This doesn’t mean don’t bring them. It means be realistic about what to expect, have a plan for managing them, and let go of the idea that every image will include the dog perfectly posed. The best pet-inclusive images usually happen in moments of genuine interaction – not careful arrangement.
Dogs that tend to do well in sessions
Calm, trained dogs who respond reliably to basic commands are the best candidates. If your dog can sit, stay, and come when called – even in a distracting environment – they’ll likely integrate beautifully into the session.
All of the locations I shoot at require dogs to be leashed, so comfort on leash is important. A dog who is reactive or difficult to manage on leash will create a lot of stop-and-start energy that makes it harder to capture flowing, natural moments.
As for size: smaller dogs do open up more compositional options and are generally easier to wrangle, but that doesn’t mean your Golden Doodle has to stay home. Larger dogs who are calm and leash-trained can be wonderful in sessions. It’s really about temperament, not size.
Practical tips for a smooth pet-inclusive session
Exercise your dog before the session: A tired dog is a calmer dog. A long walk or a play session in the morning will make a real difference by late afternoon.
Bring a handler: If your dog needs active management, bring a family member or friend who isn’t in the photos – someone who can hold the leash, manage treats, and step out of frame. Trying to manage a dog and pose for images simultaneously is genuinely difficult, and it pulls focus from the connection between family members.
Bring high-value treats: Not their regular kibble – something genuinely exciting that gets and holds their attention. Treats are your best tool for getting a dog to look at the camera, sit still for ten seconds, or return after bolting toward a seagull.
Accept some chaos: The images I love most from pet-inclusive sessions often involve some glorious mess – the dog mid-leap, a kid dissolved in laughter because the dog licked their face, a mom trying to corral everyone while still managing to look radiant. Lean into it.
When to leave the dog at home
If your dog is reactive to strangers, aggressive in new environments, or genuinely unmanageable off your own property – please leave them home. This isn’t a judgment; some dogs are simply not built for this kind of outing. A stressed dog stresses everyone, and it will show in your images.
Your family photos will be better for the decision, and there’s nothing stopping you from doing a separate session with the dog at home in a more familiar environment.
Thinking about including your dog? Reach out before you book – I’ll help you think through the logistics and pick a location that works well for pets.
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