5 Things to Know Before Your Pet Portrait Session
(Because photo day should feel more like fetch-and-giggles than stiff and stressful.)
Lexie says transparency matters — especially when treats are involved. This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a tiny commission if you shop through them. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you a single biscuit more!
I get this question a lot:
“What if my dog doesn’t behave for photos?”
And honestly? That’s my favorite kind of dog.
Your pup doesn’t have to sit still, pose perfectly, or suddenly become a show dog. The wiggly butts, curious sniffs, and mid-zoomie grins — that’s where their personality shines.
Every Captured Moments session is built around your dog — their quirks, their sparkle, and their story. I’m just along for the ride (and maybe a little bit of slobber).
So before we meet up with treats in one hand and camera in the other, here are a few things I want you to know.
🐾 1️⃣ Your dog doesn’t have to be a supermodel.
Leashes are fine. Sniff breaks are expected. And if they chase a butterfly mid-photo? Perfect.
I photograph real dogs, not obedience champions — though if your pup happens to be both, bonus! I’ve got a bag full of squeaky toys, treat crumbs, and enough goofy noises to make seagulls stare. We’ll get those bright eyes and sparkly grins without ever forcing it.
🐶 2️⃣ You’re part of the story.
Even if you’ve got paw prints on your jeans and slobber on your sleeve, you belong in the frame.
You don’t have to pose. Just play, love, laugh, and be you. Toss the toy. Give the belly rubs. Whisper something sweet in their ear. Those in-between moments are what make the photos timeless.
🎒 3️⃣ Pack your go-bag.
I call it the treats, toys, and backup plans kit.
Bring water, the smelliest treats you’ve got, a brush, and a cute leash or collar. If your pup has a favorite toy, bandana, or blanket — bring it! Those details help your dog feel comfy and make your photos uniquely yours.
🌊 4️⃣ Embrace the chaos.
Some of my favorite shots come from pure unpredictability — a wet shake, a flying ear, or that “did-you-see-that?!” face.
Not every photo will be perfectly posed, and that’s exactly the point. I’ll roll with whatever your pup throws at us (sometimes literally — sand included). The goal isn’t perfection. It’s joy.
💕 5️⃣ You get to relax.
You’ve already done your job — you showed up with your best friend.
I’ll handle the rest — the light, the angles, the timing, the “okay, one more treat.” You just breathe, laugh, and enjoy the moment. I promise, by the end, we’ll both be smiling — and maybe a little sandy.
✨ The heart of it all
Your dog’s session isn’t about perfect poses — it’s about connection.
Every wag, wiggle, and whiskered grin tells part of your story, and I’m here to help you remember it forever.
