Susan Bradfield Photography and Family Photos With Your Pet

26 Aug

Pets are one of the family, and to leave a furry friend out of a family photo would be like leaving the last piece out of a finished puzzle.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when including your pet in your professional family, maternity or baby photo shoot.

Always discuss with your photographer well beforehand and check they are happy to include animals in your shoot. Not all photographers will embrace the idea of photographing animals especially in studio. Most photographers need prep time to plan and set up appropriately for every individual shoot. I have had a client ring me 30 minutes before the shoot to notify me the dog was in the car - please don’t be this person :)
Family and pet shoots can be challenging for the photographer. Be aware that results from a shoot with an animal can never be guaranteed. Go into the shoot with the expectation that things may not work out ideally.
Exercise your dog well before the shoot, so they will be as calm as possible at the time of the session.
Brush and if needed, have your dog groomed before the session - we all like to look our best for photos
I always request someone to take the dog away, out of the shoot part way through the session. This includes outdoor shoots. So we can achieve images both with and without the chaos of your furry friend.
If your dog has any quirks let your photographer know beforehand. I always allow a dog to sniff the environment and calm down first before I start shooting, a bit like toddlers!
Bring your dog on a lead. However, I usually aim for collar removal for the shoot.
Bring treats for your dog especially if your pup is food motivated. I prefer clients to bring their own pup treats due to doggy sensitivities and allergies.
Composites are commonly used in for the finished photos especially with babies and dogs. This means that some of the actual shots may seem odd when I am taking them, but will come together nicely afterwards.
Safety is paramount. I always use two spotters when shooting babies and dogs together - one for baby, one for dog.
Again, safety is paramount: if you are at all worried how they will react in the studio or photography environment then err on the side of caution and leave them at home.
For outdoor session , we will need to select a location that is appropriate for your family and your dog. This discussion takes part in my pre-shoot consult with you on the phone. Some Melbourne family photography locations to consider are here.
I clean my studio thoroughly after all sessions but to allow for the extra attention that needs to be paid with shedding doggies I now charge a small additional cleaning fee to allow for this.