Including Pets in your Senior Portraits Session
Senior Portraits Photography Tips in Elk Grove, CA.
Graduating from high school is a huge milestone in your life. Your senior portraits are a great way to memorialize your time spent in High School. A great way to personalize your portraits is to include your pet(s) in your images. As you near the next chapter of your life, it’s natural for you to want to include your close furry friend who was with you through it all! Animals can be hectic and have minds of their own, but no need to worry, I’ve worked with countless animals and incorporated them in senior portraits. As you plan how to include your dog/cat/horse in the best way possible, it’s important to follow these tips!
1. Give your photographer a head’s up!
It is really important to make sure that you inform your photographer before your session that you want to include your pet(s). You need to make sure that the photographer is comfortable around animals. I grew up with all sorts of animals and love incorporating them into sessions. When you fill out the questionnaire in the welcome guide I send out, let me know that you will want to bring your pet. Tell me a bit about your dog/cat/horse so I know how to make them as comfortable as possible during the photo session! For example: What’s his/her name? What activities do they enjoy? Are they an energetic puppy or a sleepy cat? All these small details help me comfort your pet and make him/her as comfortable as possible during the senior photo session! In addition, I’ll know to help you find a location that’s pet friendly. With large pets such as horses we will have to consider doing part of the session where the horses are at home or stabled. I normally take pictures with pets near the beginning of the session before they become annoyed by the ritual of photo taking.
2. Consider scheduling a grooming appointment!
If you want your dog/cat/horse to look a certain way, consider planning an appointment ahead of the session so your furry friend looks posh and ready for pictures! A fresh cut is a great way to make your pet photo ready. You could also bath your pet at home and give them a nice comb through.
3. Fit in a walk or some form of exercise
To ensure that your pet (this is most important for dogs!) isn’t too hyperactive by the time of the senior photo session, be sure to sneak in a walk beforehand. This is the best way to ensure that your dog has all his sniffs and rabbit chases out of his system by the time of your session!
4. Bring a leash, water, treats, toys, and waste bags to the session!
You want to make sure your pet is comfortable and content during your session. Happy pets that are ready to smile and pose are kept that way through careful care and treats! Make sure you bring the leash because we will be in public and want to respect others around us and not have the dog chasing after anyone lol. Water is a must so your pet, just like you, stays hydrated. Another must is to bring waste bags. We want to make sure we are cleaning up before we leave the location.
5. Invite a family member or friend to your session to help with your pet
It is important if you are planning on bringing your pet, to have someone with you to manage the pet after he/she is done with their photo debut. You might even consider having someone pick up the pet after we have done some photos in the beginning of the session with him/her, so they aren’t stuck waiting for you.
6. Be Flexible
Remember animals have minds of their own. We will work hard to get them to cooperate so that you are left with awesome images of you and your pet and get some great memories to have for a lifetime.
I hope these tips have made you excited to bring your pet to your senior portrait session. Reach out if you have any questions regarding bringing your pet to your session. Hope to see you and your pet pal soon!
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