Having an engagement session is one of the most important events that will take place in the lead up to your wedding. Think about it, it’s a celebration of you, your love, and this incredible point in your journey together towards marriage. Engagement photos are an authentic celebration of the life you two have created, and a special piece of this life is of course your pupper! With how important your fur baby is, I thought it’d be helpful to cover 6 tips I have to include your dog or other pets into your engagement photos, so without further ado let’s get into it.
1. Get Their Energy Out Beforehand
If your dog is easily excitable I HIGHLY encourage you to try to get their energy out prior to having your engagement photos taken. Get a good play session in, head out on a morning walk or run together, or at the very least try to keep them from napping too much prior to the session. A tired pup is more likely to be calm and relaxed for your session, and will make taking your photos SO much simpler!
2. Bring Some Treats
One easy way to get your pup to cooperate for some photos is a little bit of bribery. Almost every pup has a “sweet tooth” in a sense, so stock up on their favorite treats prior to your session. You can even make things extra special and head to a local pup bakery like Cosmo’s in Denver for some new treats to try! Treats are wonderful for getting your dogs attention while having your engagement photos taken, but it can be difficult for dogs with a more sensitive stomach or that are territorial when it comes to food. In that case…
3. Bring Some Toys
Bring some toys to get their attention! Whether they have a favorite / special toy from home that you can bring, or you get a brand new one specifically for the session, this is another great way to bribe your dog into cooperating for your engagement photos! Toys are a great way to keep your dog focused on something that isn’t this new person taking photos of them, and it can even act as a great prop too. Much like with dogs who are territorial with their food though, if your dog resource guards their toys it’s probably best to avoid this and stick with tip number 1.
4. Familiarize Them with the Location
One of the best ways to prepare your dog before having your engagement photos taken is to take them to the location prior to your session starting. Walk around a bit together and let them get familiar with the area, the sights, and the smells. This way they won’t be constantly trying to sniff out the nearest tree to mark, and instead they can relax in the space during your session.
5. Bring a Friend Along to Watch Them
When I take engagement photos where a couple includes their dog, or other fur babies, I typically only have them be part of about 1/3rd of the session. Knowing this, I ALWAYS recommend my couples ask a friend or family member to tag along to be able to take care of their pup after their photos are taken. Whether this person then takes them home early, or hangs out nearby and plays with them is totally up to you. It’s a great way to ensure that your pup is safe and happy though, and you can focus on enjoying your session rather than stressing over them!
6. Let Your Dog be a Dog!
Finally, and this is an important one for your engagement photos, let your dog be a dog! We love our fur babies, quirks and all, and who they are is an important part of your love story. Let them be themselves, have fun, and do the goofy things they do that make you love them even more. Whether they love to roll around on the ground, frolic through the leaves, or give you more kisses than you can count, let them be themselves as it makes for some truly magical moments in your photos!
There’s a lot to consider when planning your engagement photos, including your dog or pet in them is just one of the many things to keep in mind! Check out this article for more tips on how to prepare for your engagement session, and if you’d like to book me to document your photos head to my contact page and send me an inquiry ASAP. I’d love to hear from you and start planning your session or wedding today!
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