Say ‘Yes’ to the Pets

Why you always say “yes” to pets in their photos

But getting a cat to look at the camera is probably the hardest thing you’ll ever attempt as a photographer.

Pets. You gotta love ‘em. Even if they are not yours. Over the years I’ve had numerous couples ask, sometimes even sheepishly, if they could bring along their pet or pets for their engagement session. I’m kind of a dog lover myself, and so I’ve always said yes. But it’s not just because I want to make a new canine friend; it’s because I know just how special a couple’s pet or pets is to them. Pets are their family. A lot of my couples are younger and don’t have children of their own yet, and so their pets are their children. You would no more want to say no to their request than if they were asking you if their toddler could be in a few of their engagement photos.

I’ve learned a few things about working with pets in engagement sessions and at weddings. My experience has been almost exclusively with dogs; in all my weddings and sessions I have only had one couple ask for their cat to be a part of their session. But I did have one wedding with a chinchilla.

When you are shooting an engagement session with a dog, you have to remember a couple of things. First being that some are well behaved, and some are not. The second is that even if they are well trained, their attention span is short lived. Getting them to hold a pose or look at the camera is a little bit of a challenge.

I always ask how well behaved the dog is when the couple first asks me if they can be included so we can talk about what poses will or won’t work. A well-behaved dog might sit long enough and a little distant from the couple so that I can make the dog the focus. A dog less well-behaved will have to be posed close to, or held by, the couple.

And I always ask if there is a friend or family member who might come along for the session to help with the pet, for a couple reasons. One is that we won’t want to work the entire session with the pet in every picture, and so after we shoot a few photographs with the pet the extra person can take care of or leave with the pet. Also, that person is helpful if they are able to stand or lean right over the top of me (I’m often at dog’s eye level) to draw the dog’s attention toward me.

At weddings, I’ve had a number of things requested. I have had dogs included in the family formals with the couple. I have had Reveals done with dogs. I’ve had dogs who were ring bearers. I’ve even had a dog who was a part of the bridal party. And it’s fun, and makes for great images, if the venue will allow it.

Photos that are good to get with the pet at the wedding:

• The pet’s expression when they first see the couple or bride (or a Reveal).
• A shot with the pet in the foreground watching the couple at the altar.
• The pet processing in.
• Pet with the couple in a formal photo.
• Pet with the bride or groom as they get ready.

Keys to getting the lovable pet shot:

Ring posed on his nose

This was one of the best trained dogs I have ever worked with, and I would only try this if the owner suggests it. Imagine if you suggested it and the dog flipped the ring off somewhere, or worse, ate it!

Small dog on bed watching groom dress

This little guy was watching very intently as his owner/dad was getting dressed for the wedding. It was almost as if he sensed something big was happening in his life that day and wondered what it was.