Should You Include Your Dog in Your Photo Session?

If your dog is part of the family, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve wondered whether you should include them in your family photos.

My answer? Yes—if you want them there.

Dogs are part of so many of our everyday memories. They’re curled up beside us on the couch, waiting at the door when we get home, riding along in the car, and somehow managing to sneak into just about every family moment. So it makes perfect sense to include them in professional photos too.

As a family photographer in Fort Payne, Alabama, I love sessions that actually feel like the family I’m photographing. And sometimes that family happens to have four legs and a tail.I

Your Dog Doesn’t Have to Be Perfectly Trained

This is probably the biggest worry people have when they think about bringing a dog to a photo session.

“What if he won’t sit?”

“What if she gets excited?”

“What if my dog looks everywhere except at the camera?”

That’s okay.

Your dog does not need to know a dozen commands or sit perfectly still for photos. In fact, some of my favorite images are the ones where everyone is interacting naturally instead of staring straight at the camera.

We can get the classic family photo with your dog, but we can also photograph the little moments—the kids loving on them, your dog walking beside you, a nose kiss, or everyone laughing because your dog decided to do something completely different than we planned.

That’s real life, and those are often the photos you end up loving most.

Dogs Can Make Family Photos Feel More Natural

If being in front of the camera makes you a little nervous, bringing your dog can actually help.

Having something familiar to focus on gives you something to do besides thinking, “What am I supposed to do with my hands?”

You can walk your dog, scratch behind their ears, snuggle them, or let your kids interact with them. All of that creates movement and genuine expressions, which helps your family photo session feel much more relaxed.

That relaxed, natural feeling is exactly what I want during my sessions.

What About Senior Pictures With Your Dog?

Absolutely.

If you’re planning senior pictures in Fort Payne or around Northeast Alabama and your dog has been a big part of your senior’s life, bring them.

Maybe they grew up together. Maybe that dog was waiting at home after every football practice, school day, or late-night study session. Including them in a few senior portraits can make those photos even more meaningful years from now.

The dog doesn’t have to stay for the entire senior session either. We can plan a portion of the session specifically for photos with the dog and then continue with the rest of the senior portraits.

Dogs Can Be Included in Maternity Photos Too

Pets are often the first “babies” in a family, so including them in a maternity session can be incredibly sweet.

A few photos with your dog before your new baby arrives can document what your family looked like during this season. Later, those photos become part of the story you get to tell your child.

If you’re looking for maternity photography in Fort Payne, Alabama, and want your dog included, just let me know when we’re planning your session. We can choose a location and setup that gives everyone plenty of room and keeps the session comfortable.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

You don’t need to do anything complicated before bringing your dog to a photo session, but a little planning definitely helps.

Bring a leash, even if your dog normally stays right beside you. A favorite treat or squeaky toy can also help me grab their attention when we want that looking-at-the-camera photo.

It’s also a good idea to give your dog a little exercise before the session. A short walk can help take the edge off all that excitement.

And don’t worry if we need breaks. I’m never expecting a dog—or a toddler, for that matter—to perform perfectly for an entire session.

We work with them instead of fighting against them.

What If You Just Want Photos of You and Your Pet?

You can do that too.

Professional pet photography doesn’t have to mean elaborate poses or formal portraits. Sometimes you simply want a good photo with the dog you love.

And I have something special coming up for local pet lovers.

Paws for a Cause Is Coming Soon!

Paws for a Cause is coming soon, and I’m so excited about this one.

Little River Lens Photography will be there from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. photographing people with their pets. So if you’ve been saying, “I really need a good picture with my dog,” this is going to be the perfect opportunity.

I’ll also be there to capture some of the special moments happening at the event, including families meeting pets and, hopefully, some very happy adoption stories.

The best part is that this isn’t just about getting a cute photo. Paws for a Cause is also about supporting animals in our community and helping more pets find the families they belong with.

I’ll be sharing all of the details for Paws for a Cause soon, including information about the pet photo sessions and how everything will work.

Make sure you’re following Little River Lens Photography on Facebook or have joined my VIP email list so you don’t miss the announcement!

I have a feeling there may be quite a few wagging tails involved in this one.

Your Pets Are Part of the Story Too

There will eventually come a day when you are incredibly thankful you have good photographs of the pets who shared your life.

They don’t have to sit perfectly.

Your family doesn’t have to be perfectly coordinated.

Everything doesn’t have to go exactly according to plan.

You just need to show up and love on your people—and your pets. I’ll take care of the rest.

If you’ve been searching for a family photographer in Fort Payne, Alabama, a senior photographer in Northeast Alabama, a maternity photographer in Fort Payne, or simply a photographer who is happy to include your dog in your session, I’d love to work with you.

And if you’d love a photo with your pet but aren’t quite ready for a full session, keep an eye on the Little River Lens Photography Facebook page for Paws for a Cause details coming soon. I’ll be sharing more about the event, pet photos, and how you can be part of it. Or, if you’re ready to plan a family, senior, or maternity session now, reach out and let’s get you on the calendar.