No. And if you've been waiting until summer because you think your dog's photographs need sunshine, there is something you should probably know before setting your alarm.
I've had quite a few people wait for those long summer days, then look super surprised when I explain that we'll be meeting at sunrise. In the middle of summer, that is an early start. A very early start.
The assumption is understandable. A bright, sunny afternoon sounds like lovely weather for photographs. But the light I use for the portraits in my portfolio is soft light. That might be low golden sunlight around sunrise, or it might be a cloudy morning. I won't photograph your dog in harsh direct light and expect it to produce the same result; it never will.
Good light and bright sunshine aren't the same thing. And a cloudy forecast certainly doesn't mean we need to cancel your session.
Love this kind of portrait? Soft light is part of what makes it possible. → Explore Outdoor Sessions
Clouds are nature's diffuser
I've had clients message a few days before their session to ask whether we're going to reschedule because the forecast is cloudy. I always kindly reply that clouds are a good thing!
I think of clouds as nature's diffuser. They soften the sunlight, giving us gentler, even light across your dog's face and coat. We can see the detail in their fur without strong highlights in one place and deep, muddy shadows in another.
There is a difference between soft light and a dull photograph. Your dog still has their expression, their coat and their personality. The location still has its colours, shapes and textures. A grey sky overhead doesn't make all of that disappear.
Often, the sky isn't a large part of the finished photograph anyway. I'm photographing your dog among trees, foliage, grass, paths or the shapes and textures of London streets. Those surroundings can be full of colour even when there isn't a patch of blue above us.
An overcast day can also give us more flexibility about when and where we photograph. We aren't restricted to the brief window when direct sunlight is low and gentle. There can be more options for finding that softness throughout the day.
Why a sunny midday isn't the same as golden hour
Occasionally, someone asks for a session at midday in the middle of summer. If they want the look they've seen in my portfolio, I explain why that timing won't give us the same light or produce the same quality of work that they contacted me for.
Strong overhead sun can create bright reflections on fur and deep shadows across the face. The eyes can be harder to see, and a dog looking towards strong light may squint. A glossy coat might catch a very bright highlight while other parts of the dog fall into deep dark shadow.
That is quite different from low sunlight gently catching the edges of their fur. I love creating portraits with that rim of light around a dog, and golden hour can be beautiful for it.
So sunshine itself isn't the issue. Its direction and softness make a huge difference. Low golden sunlight and direct summer midday sun might both earn a cheerful yellow icon on the weather forecast, but they offer very different conditions for a fine art portrait.
I often say I'm like the reverse of that famous groundhog: if I can see my shadow, I don't want to shoot. It's my shorthand for avoiding harsh light, rather than a ban on all sunlight. I am very happy when we have lovely low golden light to work with.
If you love the glow around a dog's fur, we can plan the timing with that kind of light in mind. → Explore Outdoor Portfolio
Why I prefer sunrise in London
Golden hour also happens in the evening, but London locations can be busy by then. Especially on warm sunny days. There may be lots of people, dogs, and off-lead activity, which can make planning particularly important for a dog who needs more space.
I prefer the morning golden hours. The light can be gorgeous, and we have a better chance of enjoying a quieter location before the day gets going. In warmer months, the cooler timing is another consideration.
There is also something about being out before London wakes up that I absolutely love. Everyone who has met me for a sunrise session, even at those slightly mad summer times, has commented on how peaceful it is.
You hear the birds, the rustle of wildlife, and then me making some very odd noise to get a dog's attention. A mostly peaceful soundscape, with occasional laughter, chatter, and slightly possessed-sounding noises from me.
With fewer distractions, I often find the dogs more attentive too. We have room to enjoy the place together, and sometimes the sky gives us something fantastic and dramatic as well.
Then you can go home for a morning snooze, or enjoy having the whole day ahead of you. It really is a lovely way to spend a morning, even if your first reaction to the alarm was less than enthusiastic.
For dogs who need quieter environments, that early timing can be especially useful. We still choose the location thoughtfully because an early start doesn't guarantee that nobody else will be there.
Does a sunrise session need a visible sunrise?
No. We can enjoy the quieter surroundings and make beautiful photographs even when the sun stays behind cloud.
If the sky gives us golden light and interesting colours, wonderful. If it gives us soft overcast light, I work with that too. A visible sunrise is one possibility, rather than the only thing that makes an early session worthwhile.
The photographs will reflect the conditions we have. Soft woodland portraits and glowing backlit portraits each have their own atmosphere, and both belong in the work I love creating.
If you're looking for a dog photographer in London, you can explore my Outdoor Sessions to see how we plan the timing and setting around your dog and the photographs you'd love.
What I'm looking at during your session
I have aphantasia, so I can't visualise a perfect photograph in my head before arriving. Outdoor sessions are pleasantly mentally stimulating for me, much the same way they are for the dogs. There is always something to notice and investigate.
I'm constantly assessing the direction of the light, finding shapes and frames in the surroundings, and watching how the light changes the contrast between colours in the foliage. Alongside that, I'm watching your dog and making sure they’re always having a great time.
That means the route we take photographically can change as the morning develops. If it's a little darker than expected when we begin, I make the most of open spaces that might become too bright quite quickly. Once the light is right, we can move into the woodland or use the bushes and foliage around us.
If the sun becomes too strong, we use shade. On a day with passing cloud, I might notice a spot I'd like to use, photograph somewhere else for a while, then return when the light suits it.
It's similar to leaving a particular idea or pose for later when a dog isn't feeling it yet. We have other things to enjoy in the meantime. I'm making decisions throughout the session, rather than asking the weather or the dog to fit a fixed picture in my head.
I'll keep assessing the light and surroundings while we explore at your dog's pace. → Explore Outdoor Sessions
Soft light works for different coats too
People sometimes assume a black dog needs a sunny day so we'll be able to see them. But soft light lets us see facial detail and fur without the sun creating harsh highlights and deep, muddy shadows.
Black fur can keep its richness while showing texture and expression. I've written more about photographing black dogs and cats, including why their colour has never been a problem for me.
Pale coats benefit from thoughtful light as well. Very bright sunlight can make the lightest areas difficult to distinguish, while softer light can help show the texture within them. Glossy, curly and fluffy coats all catch light in their own ways.
You don't need to work out the ideal weather for your dog's particular coat before booking. Looking at how the light falls across the dog in front of me is part of making their portrait.
Cloud and rain are different conversations
An overcast day can be completely dry. Cloud on the forecast isn't, by itself, a reason to rearrange.
Rain needs a different judgement, based on what it's doing, how your dog feels about it and what you'd like their photographs to look like. Light drizzle can suit some dogs beautifully. Others would much rather stay dry, and I am happy to rearrange when the conditions aren't right for them.
I monitor the forecast closely, right up to meeting you, and continue assessing conditions while we're together. If the weather deteriorates, we can discuss continuing, wait somewhere safely sheltered where appropriate, or pause and rearrange the remainder.
There is more detail about what happens with rain, mud and autumn weather in my autumn article. The short version is that your dog's comfort and safety continue to matter after the session has started.
How I finish photographs made in cloudy light
I like to stay true to the light we had. A photograph made on an overcast morning can be warm and joyful without needing to look as though it was taken in blazing sunshine.
Retouching lets me refine the colour and feeling of the photograph. If an overcast image feels cooler than the session's atmosphere, I may add a little warmth while keeping the original light and mood intact.
I'm thinking about the finished photograph from the moment I take it. Cloudy conditions give us something to work with in their own right, rather than something that needs rescuing afterwards.
So, should you wait for sunshine?
If there is a season whose colours and surroundings you particularly love, that's a lovely reason to choose it. But you don't need to wait until summer simply because you think it guarantees better photographs.
We need suitable light, a setting that works for your dog, and conditions they can enjoy. Sometimes that comes with a beautiful golden sunrise. Sometimes it comes with a sky full of cloud.
If you'd like to plan photographs of your own dog, explore my Outdoor Sessions across London and Surrey, or get in touch to tell me about them. I'll help you choose the timing and keep an eye on the forecast. You can concentrate on enjoying the morning together.
Your questions about light and weather answered
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No. Soft cloudy light can be beautiful for dog portraits. I photograph in soft light, whether that comes from low golden sunlight or overcast conditions.
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Cloud doesn't mean dull photographs. Your dog, the surroundings, colour and composition all contribute to the image, and the sky may barely feature in the finished portrait.
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I prefer morning sessions because London locations are often quieter then. We can enjoy gentle light with fewer distractions, and cooler conditions in warmer months. Evening locations can be busier, particularly with off-lead dogs.
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An overcast day can give us more flexibility. On a bright summer day, midday light won't produce the soft look you see in my portfolio, so I recommend timing the session around suitable light.
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I monitor conditions closely and discuss what suits your dog. Light drizzle may be fine for some sessions; weather that compromises comfort, safety or the photographs we're planning may mean rearranging.
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I aim to keep the character of the light while refining colour and atmosphere. I may add warmth to support a more joyful feeling, rather than treating an overcast photograph as something that needs to look sunny.
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No. Soft directional light can work beautifully with dark coats, revealing texture and facial detail while keeping black fur rich and dark. I've written more about photographing black dogs and cats.
