So you’ve booked or are looking to book your engagement session, and you’re wondering whether you should bring your four-legged friend to your session? The answer is YES! For most of us, our dogs are a very big part of our lives. They aren’t just pets, but a part of our family. That’s why when clients ask about engagement photos with dogs, I’m always down!
Having your pup join in at your engagement session is a great way to add another element of fun to your shoot. Not only will your photos be unique and memorable, but you’ll also get to celebrate the bond between you and your four-legged best friend. With that being said, let’s get into more of the benefits on engagement photos with dogs, along with some tips for bringing your furry one(s) with you!
5 Benefits of engagement photos with dogs
First, let’s dive into the benefits of bringing your dog to your engagement session. I truly believe there are so many positives when it comes to bringing your fur babies with you, so let’s dive into it!
1.) So I Can Pet Your Dog! (No Really, I Mean It)
For one thing, it’s a way for me to get to pet a dog and I’m all for that. 🙂 I’m a lover of dogs and if you bring your pup to your engagement session, you get brownie points!
2.) Engagement Photos With Dogs Can Be Therapeutic & Calming for You and Your Partner
Second, having your dog in the session can also be incredibly therapeutic and calming. People often feel nervous before their engagement photos. Having your furry friend by your side can help alleviate some of that anxiety.
Plus, since dogs tend to have short attention spans, they often provide comic relief during long shoots. The end result? Unique photos that capture not just the two of you, but also the special bond between you and your pet!
3.) Showcasing Your Family
Like I said above, most of our pups are more than pet’s, but like family! Showcase what you and your partner both love, which is your pet(s)! It can be so exciting to document such a big moment in your life with those closest to you!
4.) Dogs Can Help You Achieve More Natural Photos
One thing that I especially love when it comes to engagement photos with dogs is that they are usually lots of fun. Many have tons of energy, and that can help us to achieve those candid shots of you and your partner interacting with your dog.
Whether they’re running around, playing fetch, or just walking with them on the leash. Bringing your pup to your engagement session can give you more opportunity to document those candid moments versus posing.
5.) Dogs Just Make Everything More Fun & Memorable!
Dogs are just so fun. What’s not to love about them? Incorporating them into your session can add in even more fun experiences and memories! From running around with them, getting sloppy kisses, and everything inbetween!
5 Tips For Engagement Photos With Dogs
If you decide that including your pup in an engagement session is right for you and yours, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration ahead of time. Let’s get into these tips for engagement photos with dogs!
1.) Bring a Trusted Friend/Dog Sitter
First, I always recommend bringing someone to help with your dog. Bonus points if it’s someone your dog is already familiar with. That way you don’t have to stress about your dog for the photos. We can take some with the dog and some without.
2.) Prepare Your Pup For The Session
You should also take time to prepare your dog ahead of time. Making sure they’re groomed properly and if you know where we are going, taking them there before our scheduled time so they can sniff around and get familiar with the area is a great idea! A new place can make a dog very excited, and familiarity can help.
3. Bring Treats, Favorite Toys, and a Lint Roller!
Bringing your dogs favorite treats and toys for your engagement session is a great ideas! This can add a fun activity into your session, and the treats of course can help keep your pup on their best behavior!
And if you have a shedding dog, I definitely recommend bringing a lint roller so that if they get any hair on you, we can clean it up easily!
4.) Confirm That Your Location Allows For Pets!
Of course, before we make any solid plans, it’s important that we confirm that we can bring your pup to your engagement session location. Many public areas do allow dogs, though it’s always a good idea to check before hand. If you decide to work with me for your engagement session, we can always look into this together!
5.) Safety Measures & Courtesy
When it comes to engagement photos with dogs, it’s incredibly important to be prepared and take safety measures. Make sure to bring a leash with you. Even if you have the most well behaved dog in the world, you should still bring a leash! It won’t be guaranteed that there won’t be other animals present, and we definitely don’t want anything to go badly during your session!
Aside from safety measures, it’s also important to bring clean up items in the event your dog decides to mark his territory with more than just urine, if ya know what I mean. It’s always important that we leave an area just how we found it, so waste bags are crucial!
There You Have it – the benifits & tips for engagement photos with dogs!
Having a dog at an engagement session is more than just adding another prop or decoration. It’s about celebrating the unique bond that exists between humans and animals alike. If it feels right for both of you, then go ahead and make plans to include him or her in the day’s festivities!
With careful preparation on both front ends you’ll get fantastic results that will last forever. Pets are like family and I think adding them in to a session is a perfect way to capture that bond.
Looking to book your engagement photos with dogs? I’d love to be your photographer! You can learn more about me here. If you think I’m the perfect match for you and your partner (and dog 🙂 ), then let’s connect! Until then, make sure to check out the blog where you’ll find more couples and engagements for inspiration, or let’s be friends on Instagram!
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