How to safely take family photos with dogs

When it comes to your pets, nobody knows them better—or loves them more—than you do! Sure, they may test your patience now and then, but their quirks are exactly why they’re part of the family. This is why I recommend including your dogs in family photos whenever possible! But taking family photos with dogs comes with a few extra considerations to ensure a successful experience for everyone involved. Here’s how to make it work without breaking a sweat (or a leash).

Assess your dog’s personality

Just like people, dogs have their own personalities—some are social butterflies, while others prefer their personal space. Before planning your session, think about what will help your dog feel comfortable. Does your pup have triggers? Do they need time to warm up to new people? Would they do better in a private setting rather than a busy park? Do they have a handle on basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” or would a refresher be helpful? By prioritizing your dog’s needs before your own personal preferences, you’ll have a much more comfortable session which ultimately leads to better photos.

Talk to your photographer

Not all photographers are comfortable working with pets, so be upfront about your plans. Check their portfolio to see if they’ve photographed families with dogs before, and if they have, are the pups interacting with their humans, sitting obediently, or just being their goofy selves? Find someone whose style matches your vision and who understands how to work with dogs. Let your photographer know what you’re hoping to capture and ask for their advice on how to prepare. A little planning goes a long way.

Choose a familiar location

Taking your dog to a new place can be overwhelming—new smells, strange dogs, and unfamiliar people can make even the “Bestest Bois” a little unpredictable. Instead of adding unnecessary stress to family photos (which, let’s be honest, can already be a bit nerve-wracking), pick a location your dog knows and loves. Effortlessly including pets in photos is one of the many reasons I exclusively photograph families in their homes or neighborhoods. It’s where they feel safest, have everything they need nearby, and can truly be themselves. 

Let your dog lead the session

Dogs don’t know they’re there for a photo op, they just know they’re out with their favorite people. If you’re outside and your dog is on a leash, let them explore and sniff as much as they want. I promise we photographers aren’t going to be annoyed by it – we expect it! Keep the motivation and praise high, and bring treats to reward desirable behaviors. Dogs can sense when their humans’ stress is high. We act differently when we know people are watching. The best thing you can do for your dog (and for your photos) is to go with the flow, enjoy the adventure, and have FUN. Let us photographers handle making art out of chaos – the result just might surprise you.

Bring a helper

Chances are, you’ll want some photos with just your human family members, which means you’ll need a plan for what to do with your dog. If you’re at home, it’s easy to let them take a break in another room or the backyard. But if you’re at a public location, you’ll need to make sure your dog is safe when you take your eyes off of them. And no… leaving your dog in a hot car or handing the leash to the 3-year-old is not a plan. Ask a close friend or another family member to tag along to the session to hold the leash when you need a break. They can also hold treats if you want some adorable photos of your dog’s face looking at the camera. Having the extra helping hands will ensure you and your photographer can both be 100% present for your photos… and let’s be honest, you deserve nothing less!

Set realistic expectations

Dogs will be dogs. You might have an idea of your dog sitting perfectly with your family and doing everything you say. But dogs will look the other way, sometimes they’ll stick their nose right into the camera lens, and sometimes they’ll decide the session is the perfect time for an impromptu case of the zoomies. But do you want to know the best news? It’s okay! The most memorable photos aren’t about perfection—they’re about capturing real connection with the ones you love. No matter what, your dog is going to look adorable. But grumpy parents’ faces? Those don’t look so cute on camera. So embrace the mayhem and live a little.

If you’re interested in an at-home photo session that captures you and your dog in your favorite place, I’d love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch and let’s make some memories.