My dog doesn’t know how to sit or stay. Will this be an issue?

Not at all! Some of my favourite portraits are of dogs standing up; whatever best reflects their personality. Rest assured, I have a unique set of sounds and plenty of tasty treats to grab their attention – even if it’s just for that split second while I capture the image.

My dog can’t be off their lead. Can I still bring them to a session?

Yes, absolutely! Believe it or not, 95% of the dogs that I work with are photographed while wearing their lead. I appreciate that leads are essential for keeping your best pal safe, and they are important for following local laws, especially when taking photos in urban environments. Thanks to the wizardry of Photoshop, I can remove the leads from the final images.

Can harnesses and gentle leaders also be edited out?

As incredible as Photoshop is, it does have its limitations. Harnesses that are particularly bulky tend to hide the majority of the dog’s chest, and it becomes challenging to accurately rebuild those pixels during post-production. Similarly, gentle leaders might leave unsightly shadows or pull on the dog’s skin, meaning that they are also difficult to remove. If your dog wears either of these items for walks, I recommend that you use it while travelling to our location, but bring a flat collar along for the actual shoot.

If you need to keep the harness or gentle leader on for the shoot, then that is absolutely fine. You can choose to have them removed from the final images, but there will be an additional retouching fee. However, digital removals for leads, regular flat collars and martingale collars are included

My dog is highly reactive to other dogs/people/bicycles, etc. How do we approach a session?

Not to worry, I completely understand; the world can often be a scary place for all of us. If your dog is nervous or reactive, we can select a location that suits their temperament. I know of several locations that experience minimal dog or pedestrian traffic. If your dog would prefer that, then we can hold the session there, and we won’t see a soul.

My dog is a never-ending ball of energy! How do you manage energetic dogs?

My camera shutter speed goes all the way up to 1/80000 of a second. In other words, it is more than capable of capturing even the most active dog! Our sessions never require your dog to sit, stay or behave for hours on end, or even minutes. One of the benefits of hiring a dog-specific photographer is our ability to work with ‘hyper’ models, and still deliver gorgeous images jam-packed with personality. The purpose is to capture your dog’s personality – if they’re a ball of energy, then that’s what we’ll capture!

Can I be in the images, too?

Of course! I absolutely love documenting the wonderful connection between you and your dog. While the traditional portrait of you and your dog smiling at the camera may be desirable, my clients consistently love the photos that capture a candid moment between them and their companion. Don’t worry if you are camera shy; I can still create some lovely, creative images that will tell the story of your relationship. You can trust me with the experience, and remember that you are not obliged to purchase or display any images that you are not happy with.

What time will our photo session take place?

The best and most magical light for photography usually occurs in the morning and evening. However, certain locations – such as urban areas that experience high activity at night – may be better suited for morning sessions. That way, we can guarantee a session with minimal disruptions, and still take advantage of the lovely low-angle light.

How do I choose a location?

This is a huge decision, but I have plenty of recommendations to help you. During our first call, we can discuss the type of look you would prefer in your images. We will also identify any specific needs that your dog might have, such as mobility challenges or anxiety, and we will tackle any scheduling constraints on your part (E.G., mornings only). After considering all of this, we can settle on the perfect location for your session.

What if it rains?

If the weather is less than ideal, we can always reschedule. Your deposit will automatically transfer over to our new session date. Easy peasy!

Who can come to the session?

Everyone in your household (furry or not) is welcome to participate in the session. However, in the interest of minimising distractions, I ask that only those who will be present in the photos attend. If you would like to hold a session with your dog’s best bud or your extended family, then I’d be happy to put together a custom quote.

Do you take photos of other pets, aside from dogs?

Unfortunately, I only specialise in dog photography.