How to Prepare for a Dog Portrait Session

Dog Portrait Session Takeaways at a Glance

• A great dog portrait session starts days before the camera comes out, with simple preparation at home.
• A tired, fed-just-enough, freshly brushed dog is the ideal model.
• Bringing the right treats, toys, and a clean collar makes a real difference in the final images.
• Rob Faber Photography photographs dogs in Suffield and on location across Northern Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, including West Hartford, Simsbury, and Longmeadow.

A dog portrait session is not like any other shoot I do. An executive will hold a pose. A senior will take direction. A dog will do exactly what a dog wants to do, and that is part of the charm. Still, a little preparation on your end turns a good session into a great one. So here is how I recommend getting ready, based on years behind the camera and sixteen years of practice with my own golden retriever, Cassie.

The goal is simple. We want your dog relaxed, comfortable, and fully themselves. Everything below serves that goal.

Why Preparation Matters for a Dog Portrait Session

Dogs read the room. If you are rushed and anxious, they feel it. If they have been cooped up all day, they arrive bouncing off the walls. On the other hand, a dog who has had a good walk, a calm morning, and an owner who knows what to expect usually settles in quickly.

Preparation also protects your time. The more energy we spend managing chaos, the less we spend making portraits. As a result, a few small steps at home give us more frames that actually look like your dog at their best.

The Week Before Your Session

Schedule Grooming a Few Days Ahead

If your dog gets professionally groomed, book it three to five days before the session rather than the morning of. A fresh cut can look a little sharp at first, and some dogs come home from the groomer tired or out of sorts. A few days lets the coat settle into a natural look and lets your dog feel like themselves again.

If you groom at home, a good brushing the day before is plenty. Pay attention to the face. Trim any fur covering the eyes, and gently clean away tear stains or eye gunk. In portraits, the eyes are everything.

Practice the Basics

You do not need a perfectly trained dog. However, a quick refresher on sit, stay, and look at me helps. Keep practice sessions short and positive in the days leading up. Even a dog who only holds a sit for two seconds gives me something to work with. Two seconds is often all I need.

Think About Where Your Dog Is Happiest

Some dogs are calm and curious in the studio. Others only relax on familiar ground, in the backyard or on a favorite trail. Before we meet, think honestly about where your dog shines. We will talk it through together and choose the setting that brings out their personality.

The Day of Your Dog Portrait Session

Burn Off Some Energy

A long walk or a good game of fetch before the session is one of the best things you can do. Aim for a tired but not exhausted dog. We want enough energy for expression and play, without the frantic zoomies that make every frame a blur.

For senior dogs or dogs with limited mobility, keep it gentle. A short, easy stroll is enough to help them settle.

Adjust Mealtime

A slightly hungry dog is a more focused dog. Because treats are my main tool for getting attention, I recommend a smaller meal a few hours before the session. Do not skip food entirely, especially for young puppies or dogs with dietary needs. Just leave a little room for rewards.

Take a Bathroom Break

This one sounds obvious, yet it is easy to forget in the rush out the door. A quick potty break right before we start saves us from an interrupted session.

What to Bring to Your Dog Portrait Session

Here is a simple checklist to pack before you leave:

1. High value treats your dog loves, cut into small pieces.
2. A favorite toy or two, especially one that squeaks.
3. A clean collar or a slim leash, or both.
4. Water and a travel bowl.
5. A towel for muddy paws or drool.
6. Any comfort item that helps your dog relax, like a favorite blanket.

The Right Treats Make All the Difference

Not all treats are equal. Kibble rarely holds a dog’s attention for long. Instead, bring something your dog truly gets excited about. Small, soft pieces work best because they are quick to eat and do not leave crumbs all over the muzzle.

Bring the Toy That Defines Them

Every dog has a thing. For Cassie, it was stuffed animals. She carried one on nearly every walk around the neighborhood, and those are some of my favorite portraits of her. If your dog has a signature toy, bring it. It is not just a prop. It is part of their story.

Collars, Leashes, and Accessories

A clean, simple collar looks best on camera. Tags can jingle and catch light, so consider removing them for the session. If we are working outdoors and your dog needs to stay on leash, a thin leash in a neutral color is easy to minimize in editing.

What Should You Wear If You Are in the Portraits

I always encourage owners to join a few frames. Some of the most meaningful images are the ones of you and your dog together. So plan your outfit with that in mind.

Choose solid, muted tones that complement your dog’s coat rather than compete with it. Avoid busy patterns and large logos. In addition, think about fur. Dark fabrics show light fur, and light fabrics show dark fur. Bring a lint roller, and wear something you do not mind getting a few paw prints on.

Helping a Nervous or Energetic Dog

Every dog is different, and I work at their pace. If your dog is shy, we slow down. We give them time to sniff the space, meet me, and decide I am okay. I would rather spend ten minutes earning trust than force a single frame.

If your dog is a whirlwind, that is fine too. We work in short bursts, take breaks, and let them play in between. Moreover, some of the best images happen in the moments right after a break, when a dog finally settles and looks up with that soft, familiar expression.

Above all, stay calm yourself. Your dog takes their cues from you.

Preparing Senior Dogs for Portraits

Senior dog portraits are some of the most moving sessions I photograph. They also need a little extra care. Keep the session relaxed and unhurried. Bring a soft blanket or bed so they have a comfortable place to rest. Let me know about any stiffness, hearing or vision changes, or spots they prefer not to be touched.

We will build the session around what they can comfortably do. A senior dog resting in beautiful light, gray muzzle and all, is a portrait you will treasure.

Dog Portrait Sessions Across CT and MA

I photograph dogs in my Suffield studio and on location throughout Hartford County and Hampden County. From West Hartford to Simsbury and Longmeadow, I bring the same lighting and direction I use for professional headshots to every four legged client.

If you want to know why I take these sessions so personally, read my story about why a dog portrait photographer matters more than you think. You can also explore my professional headshot sessions in Suffield to see how I approach light and expression across every kind of portrait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I prepare for a dog portrait session?

Start about a week ahead. That gives you time to schedule grooming, practice a few basic commands, and plan what to bring. The day of, focus on exercise, a lighter meal, and a calm departure.

Should I bathe my dog right before the session?

A bath a day or two before is ideal. Bathing the morning of can leave the coat fluffy or uneven, and some dogs are unsettled afterward. A good brushing the day before usually does the trick.

What if my dog does not listen well?

That is completely normal, and handling it is my job. I use treats, sounds, patience, and short bursts of shooting to get the moment. Your dog does not need to be perfectly trained to make beautiful portraits.

Can I bring more than one dog?

Yes. Multi dog sessions are a lot of fun. Let me know ahead of time so we can plan for individual portraits as well as group frames, and bring an extra set of hands if you can.

How do I book a dog portrait session?

Fill out my contact form, and I will send over further information. From there, we will talk about your dog, the best setting, and the portraits you want to keep.

Ready for Your Dog’s Portrait

A little preparation goes a long way, but please do not let it feel like pressure. My job is to meet your dog where they are and find the moment that is unmistakably them. You bring the treats, the favorite toy, and a tired pup. I will bring the light, the patience, and the eye. If you are ready to book a dog portrait session in Northern Connecticut or Western Massachusetts, reach out through my contact form. Also, subscribe to the Shoot for Succession podcast, available on all major podcast platforms, for more behind the scenes insight into portraits and business. Your dog’s years go by quickly. Let’s make portraits worthy of them.