Engagement Photos With Dogs

If you are reading this, then we are assuming you are an animal lover just like us. Whether you have a new puppy or a dog that has been there through some of the most monumental moments of your life, there’s no denying that you consider them a member of the family. Your dog has never judged you, is always there to offer kisses, and will forever be your number one fan. So, maybe you want them to be a part of your engagement pictures or for your save the date.

I’m sure you and your fiance have gone back and forth asking if it’s do-able, or a good idea. Could this turn into a full blown disaster with both of us muddy from head to toe? Will we get dog slobber dripping down our clothing? It can be an anxious topic to think about because our fur babies can be wild and out of control when they get really excited. You start thinking, “will they take away from the photos of us?” or “how are we going to handle him/her the whole time?”. We have answers to all these questions to ease your mind. To clarify, it’s very realistic and possible to include your dog in your engagement photos. As long as you have the tools to work with and are prepared beforehand it should be very straightforward.

Is this realistic?

Is this a realistic idea? Yes! We are about to give you all of the insight on how to have engagement photos with dogs in this special part of your life without feeling overwhelmed.

We will be going over 3 major topics in this article. Firstly, we will discuss how to ask your potential wedding photographer about including your dog in your engagement photos. Secondly, you will be educated with tips and tricks on how to prepare yourselves and your fur babies for their fun experience. Lastly, we will discuss what to do when they are finished with their shining moments in front of the camera.

Ok, so how the heck do you ask your photographer without feeling totally weird?

Don’t worry; it is actually quite a bit more common than you think! Many couples include their dogs in their engagement photos. It has become a pretty popular thing. Therefore, if you think you may want to include your dog in any of your photos, first and foremost, you should ask your photographer. Initially, ask if they are dog friendly, have dogs of their own, or familiar with animals in general. Next, you should ask them if they have ever worked with dogs in front of their camera before. If the answer is yes and you are feeling comfortable, educate them on your dog. Let them know information such as the size of your dog and temperament. Any key advice about your fur baby that you think would be beneficial for them to know ahead of time.

Are you stressing the day before about bringing them along for the ride?

Don’t stress; there are many ways to make the entire process smoother. The night before the photo shoot, make sure you have a small bag packed of your dog’s favorite treats. We recommend buying everything dog related from www.chewy.com as they are the best in the industry. Include a treat that is their favorite reward, so that they will sit and be still for the photos. Your photographer can hold the bag of treats above their head. This is usually the best method to get the perfect shots. Be sure to have your photographer reward your dog right after.

Next, make sure to pack a lint roller (or two) in your personal bag. This could be crucial for you depending on how much your dog sheds. Last, make sure you let your dog do the deed. Bring your dog around the area you will be doing your photos at least 10 minutes before the session starts. Let them explore around, sniff and do typical dog things. Remember, they have been sitting anxiously in the car waiting to see where their owner has brought them. Depending on your dog’s personality, the initial hyperactivity after exiting the car may be overwhelming. This will make it easier for you to control him/ her by the time the photographer arrives.

So what if you only want your dog there for the first half of the photo session?

That is a great question, and totally possible! You may be wondering how do we pull this off without the entire second half of the photo shoot being a nightmare. It would be hard having to watch our dog or continue to re-tie him/ her up. The best way to steer clear from this problem is bringing a friend or family member to the first part of your engagement session. As a result, there are a number of positive things that come from doing this.

The first is having someone to hold the treats for the photographer if there is only one photographer. Secondly, they can hold your dog while you all are walking around, so that you don’t have to be full of dog hair during the entire photo shoot. Lastly, when you are finished with the first half of the session including your dog, your friend or family member can take them home for you. As a result, you don’t have to have stress or worry about what to do with your dog for the rest of your photo session. You can relax and enjoy your significant other for the remaining photo time.

Including your dog in your engagement photos doesn’t have to be a nerve-racking process.

Coming to your photo session prepared and ready is the key to a more successful experience. This should be a good test run if you are considering including your dog in your wedding photos. Follow these tips and tricks and everything will turn out wonderful. Also, you will have some amazing engagement photos with dogs that will be cherished forever!

Above all, if you are in need of some more help or guidance about including your dog in your engagement session, be sure to reach out to us through the contact form. We would be happy to give you more detailed insight on the topic. Elliot and I have two large dogs of our own, so we know first hand how much you probably love your them and want to make it work.

If you have a different pet rather than a dog that you hold close to your heart and want to include, we would love to hear more! We always love working with new animals no matter how small or large. Whether its a horse, donkey, alpaca, etc. we are open to all the ideas and how to make them work. Photos last a lifetime, and including your pet can be a great memory to look back on years from now to remind you of that special time in your relationship.