Your Dog Deserves More Than Just a Photo Shoot: Why the Experience Matters as Much as the Images
Every time I finish a Pre-session Consultation Call for one of my upcoming London dog photography sessions, I am full of excitement for the day of the shoot to arrive. Not because we've locked in a location or discussed the perfect lighting, but because I've already fallen a little bit in love with their dog and can’t wait to meet them.
It happens a lot. By the time I meet many of my clients in person, their dog is already relaxed around me, and the human is visually relieved. By the end of the session, I’m often called The Dog Whisperer (a name I continuously intend to reclaim.) But the secret to me proudly stating that I am “every dog’s best friend” is the simple fact I took the time to understand their dog before I ever picked up my camera.
I've also heard the other side of the story. People share past experiences with dog photographers where they didn't exchange more than a couple of emails before the shoot. No chance to talk about their dog's personality, quirks, or what helps them feel at ease. When the day came, the dog was tense, the moments felt rushed, and the resulting photos didn't feel like them.
Our dogs deserve better than that.
Why a Pre-Session Conversation Changes Everything
Meeting in person isn't always possible, but talking before a session - really talking - is something I consider non-negotiable.
A good pre-session conversation is about more than scheduling. It's about allowing me a moment of insight into your dog's world:
What do they love the most?
Are there sounds or movements they find unsettling?
How do they like to greet new people?
Do they need time to explore before they're ready to engage in a new environment?
For nervous rescues, elderly companions, reactive dogs, or dogs with specific needs, these chats are invaluable. It means I arrive not as a stranger, but as someone already familiar to them.
It's not just about comfort. Knowing your dog's personality and needs helps me capture their most authentic expressions. If they always tilt their head when you say "packet food," (true story!) or if they prefer the left side when walking beside you, those small details can shape how I work on the day.
Every smile starts with trust
Sessions Should Be Dog-Led, Not Clock-Led
In my work, there's no timer ticking down to a hard stop. Sessions typically last between one and two hours, but the real measure of time is your dog's comfort.
Some dogs are ready to work around a new person and pose right away. Others need ten minutes - or thirty - to sniff, explore, and size up the situation. That's not wasted time. It's the foundation for natural, authentic photographs.
Dogs tell us a lot through body language: a yawn that isn't tiredness, a shift in posture, a flick of the ears. Paying attention means knowing when to press the shutter and when to step back and give the dog some space to reintroduce themself to what is being asked of them.
I've seen what happens when photographers rush. Dogs retreat into themselves, their expressions flatten, and their body language closes off. You can't fake that sparkle in their eyes - you either earn it, or you don't.
And like many things, understanding dog behaviour is a spectrum. Someone with no understanding at all may see Peanut’s raised paw in the image above and think nothing of it. Someone with some knowledge of body language may argue she’s uncomfortable because a raised paw could be indicative of fear or anxiety. But someone with a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances dogs display, would see the image above, and partner the raised paw with relaxed and soft eyes, mouth, and ears and know that she was absolutely fine, happy, and the paw being raised is her breaking her stay in that moment for the tasty snack being held above the end of my lens.
Sometimes, the best shots come after the pause
Are you looking for a truly ethical dog photography experience for your dog? Explore my photography sessions to see if I’m the right fit for you.
Ethical Handling Is Non-Negotiable
It shocks me how often I still hear about (or see) dogs being physically forced into positions during photo shoots. Hands pushing them into a sit, voices raised to make them stay, tails tucked while the camera clicks.
This isn't just unkind - it's completely unnecessary.
I work in partnership with dogs, using science-backed, rewards-based methods, so the session is enjoyable for them as well as you. I show you how I use their favourite treats or toys to lure and shape poses, rewarding plentifully for paws hitting the mark. This can be something that’s unfamiliar to dogs, depending on the training methods they already know, but they all pick it up incredibly fast.
And when they do get confused? That’s completely okay! They can take a short break - sometimes that means letting them wander for a moment, completely ignoring them for a few minutes while they decompress and decide for themselves to re-engage. I'll usually know immediately whether a dog is confused by what we’re asking them to do, or whether they don’t want to. And when they don’t want to, we don’t do it. Simple as. There are plenty of lovely poses that will result in beautiful photographs, so we will move on to something else.
Any profession that works with dogs - photography included - should require homework, in my personal opinion. Sadly, even in this field, you'll find people who promote themselves as having an interest in behaviour and safety, while posting behind-the-scenes clips of dogs running loose on busy London streets.
If you're choosing a photographer, look for signs of genuine dog-first thinking:
Are dogs handled with respect and patience?
Is safety always prioritised, even if it means a lead stays on in the shot?
Are stress signals recognised and acted upon?
You can edit out a lead. You can't edit out fear or stress.
Safety never takes a back seat to style
How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Dog
When you're searching for someone to capture your dog's story, here are a few things worth asking:
Will you speak before the session? Even a short phone call makes a huge difference.
How flexible is the session time? The correct answer should include space for your dog's pace.
What's your approach to handling dogs? Look for words like "reward-based" and "stress-free” and feel free to dig deeper.
Do you understand canine body language? This is key to knowing when to capture and when to pause.
How do you keep dogs safe on location? Particularly in busy urban areas.
It's About More Than Photos
In the end, the portraits we create together are more than images. They're little time capsules of your bond with your dog - the way they look at you, the way you exist in each other’s worlds, the way your hands find their fur without thinking.
I always tell my clients, “My photography experiences exist for your dog; you get the benefit of the beautiful photographs afterwards.”
Those moments deserve to be captured in a way that's as kind and thoughtful as your relationship itself.
Looking for a photographer who understands dogs as much as they do light?
If the idea of a pre-session chat, a dog-led pace, and a truly ethical approach sounds like what you'd want for your dog, I'd love to start with a conversation. No pressure, no rush - just a chance to get to know the wonderful dog you share your world with.
