So you have your dog’s photoshoot scheduled in the diary, but what’s next?

Follow my plan below and you’ll be ready to make the most of your dog’s big day!

1. Pack a bag. OK so I know you’re not going on holiday, but it’s great to have all the things you might want on the photoshoot. These include:

Your dogs’ favorite toys including balls, frisbees or anything that catches their attention and they can focus on.

Water - for yourself and your dog. We’re usually out walking for up to two hours and there can be lots of running around for both of you – so please be prepared to rehydrate!

An alternative lead and collar combination, if your dog wears a harness. Harnesses detract from your dog’s natural beauty, so I always advise my clients to use a normal collar and bring a lead, or training lead if you have a puppy. We can always use the harness in between shots as we navigate the outside space, but they make for ugly portraits!

Brush and small towel – depending on how groomed you want your dog to look in their formal portraits, a brush can help neaten them up for their big moment. A small towel can dry them out especially if it’s wet underfoot, or wipe off any unwelcome mud.

Favourite treats – I bring treats but if your dog has any allergies or is a fussy eater – please do bring their high value treats. This will help improve their focus and get the shots we are after.

2. To groom or not to groom? This is indeed a big question! Many of my clients book their dogs into the groomers before the shoot to get them looking perfect. However, it’s important to remember things don’t always go to plan. Shoots can be rescheduled due to bad weather and I know from experience that once my dog was groomed, he had an automatic instinct to head for the muddiest of bogs and do his best impression of a wallowing pig! So try not to get too tied up with the idea of perfection – we are going to be out in beautiful surroundings and your dog will be living their best life and this joy will shine through in their photos, irrespective of their haircut!

3. Refresh your dog’s commands. Your dog might have one command or several – it really doesn’t matter how many or how few, but I do recommend trying to solidify what you have! I’ve photographed puppies who barely know their own name and struggle to walk in a straight line, and I can still get some beautiful portraits from them, but if your dog can sit, stay (always a difficult one!) and have good recall, we will be off to a flying start!

4. Plan your outfits. It’s always good to think about this in advance for both you and your dog. I always encourage my clients to be in some of the portraits. Wear what you feel comfortable in and remember we will be walking through park lands, so please be practical with your foot wear. I recommend avoiding clothes that have large logos, stripes and checks as these can make the final portraits a little messy.

5. Choose a great location – this is really something we do together when scheduling the shoot, but what makes a great location for a dog photoshoot? So many things, including space for your dog to run freely and safely and where we can have some time without other dog walkers. A variety of vistas is always ideal – Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath offers a beautiful stately home and sweeping views of London, along with a variety of natural habitats such as wooded areas, bridges, long grass and wild flowers. Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Battersea Park are all unique and can deliver the variety we are looking for. I’m always open to new locations and we can chat through ideas when we speak when finalizing the photoshoot date.

6. Obsess about the weather! OK – so that’s more my job than yours. The best weather conditions will enhance your dog’s portraits, so it’s ideal to aim for optimum conditions. I’m a weather geek and spend lots of time looking at the weather in the run up to your scheduled shoot and I will be in touch with you a few days before to discuss the predicted conditions. I’m aiming for dry and bright weather and if it’s heavy, grey cloud or rain, then we will need to reschedule (at no additional cost!), even if it’s for the following day or weekend. Being flexible and patient are key to getting the best portraits and they are both attributes I have spent many years perfecting!

7. Enjoy the moment! The big day has arrived and the best thing you can do now is relax – trust the process and I will take care of the rest! Dog photoshoots are fun experiences and it’s important you enjoy it and not worry about the little things. Even if your dog forgets all their commands and rolls in a muddy puddle – we will still end up with a beautiful selection of final portraits from the day – I promise!

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Kind words from happy clients!

Elvis’s human:

‘We recently had the pleasure of having a photo session with the Highgate Dog Photographer and we cannot recommend her enough! From the very beginning, Suzi was incredibly patient and answered all of our questions with such kindness and professionalism. Our session was so much fun! Suzi clearly loves dogs and created such a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Our pup had a blast, and we were amazed by the beautiful photos we received. The entire experience was fantastic. We would absolutely recommend Suzi to any dog owner looking for stunning photos.’

Miso’s human:

‘My pup Miso and I spent a morning with Suzi on Hampstead Heath. Miso is a bit nervous around new people but Suzi put her at ease instantly. She has a brilliant eye for the composition of the photos, even when I can't immediately see how it would work. All of the photos turned out wonderfully and I felt they really captured Miso's cheeky mischievous and happy personality and our bond. I couldn't choose between the photos so pretty much bought most of the ones that she took. I would highly recommend Suzi to anyone who wants to capture memories of their pups.🐾🐾’

Harry’s human:

‘ Suzi was so lovely with our dog and a pleasure to work with. The photos were better than I’d hoped for - we have a very active boy and she captured not only some fantastic action shots but also really his character and personality. I’d highly recommend’

Sample images of printed and downloadable Dog Photoshoot Gift Vouchers