Tips & Advice for a smooth engagement session with your dog

“Can or should we bring our dog to our engagement session?” is a question I get asked all the time. Are you a dog lover who wants to include the furry member of your family in your engagement photos? I LOVE when you bring your dog to your engagement session – it really helps personalize your photos and highlight your love for your furry family member! Here at JMP, we have a few tips to help ensure this process go smoothly for you and your pup stays happy and cooperative!

Tips for engagement photos with dogs:

• First, check that the location you’ve chosen for your engagement session allows dogs. Most parks also have leash rules, so make sure you know what’s allowed before we confirm a place and time.

• Second, and I can’t highlight this one enough, bring someone who you know is able to take care of your pup even if you are out of view. Your dog won’t be in every photo with you, and some dogs don’t do well being separated from their pack. Making sure your wrangler can handle them without you is also essential – that way you’ll able to focus on each other and your photo experience.

• Give high energy pups a few minutes to run around or exercise them beforehand. Think about and plan for your dog’s energy level in the setting you’ve chosen for your photos. It’s natural that some dogs get a little hyped in new places, and it’s much easier when they’re calm for photo time.

• Treats/cookies/toys – are all great ideas to keep your pup’s attention for the duration of the shoot.

Want to see what engagement photos with dogs look like? Here are a couple of engagement sessions to check out for doggy inspiration. We can’t wait to meet you and your pups!

Need an extra pair of experienced hands with your dog for your engagement session or for your wedding, ask me for some recommendations of local professionals to help. To Wag and To Hold is one example.

If you would like to see some more examples of engagement sessions take a look here – JMP Portraits

Joanna Monger Photography is a dog loving wedding and boudoir photographer in Snohomish WA. Proudly serving the Greater Seattle area with photography coverage areas including Seattle, Snohomish, Bellevue, Woodinville, and surrounding areas.