Including your pet in family photos: Tips for beautiful results

Pets are family. They deserve to be in the family photos. And yes — it is completely possible to get beautiful portraits that include your dog (or even your cat). Here's how to make it work.

The honest truth about photographing dogs

Dogs don't pose. They don't hold still. They're completely unbothered by your instructions to 'look here'. This is both the challenge and the joy of including them.

The best pet portraits aren't staged — they're captured. A dog leaping at a child in joy, a Labrador with its head in someone's lap, a terrier spinning circles around the family's legs — these are the images that make people laugh and cry at the same time. The goal is genuine family behaviour, not perfect stillness.

How to prepare your dog for the session

• ◆Exercise first: A well-exercised dog is a calmer dog. Give them a good run 1–2 hours before the session, then let them rest before we start.
• ◆Bring high-value treats: Not just their everyday kibble — something genuinely exciting. Small pieces of cooked chicken or cheese work brilliantly for getting their attention.
• ◆Bring their favourite toy: For dogs who are treat-indifferent, a favourite ball or tug toy held just above the camera can work magic for getting eye contact.
• ◆Keep them on lead initially: Even if your dog has perfect recall, starting on a long lead gives you control while they adjust to the location. We'll work up to off-lead moments.
• ◆Let them explore: Allow 10 minutes of sniffing and exploring at the start. A dog who's satisfied its curiosity about the location is much easier to photograph.

Best locations for pet-friendly family sessions

Not all beautiful photography locations are dog-friendly. These are some of my favourites that work well:

• ◆Open countryside and fields: Freedom for the dog, beautiful light, no crowds. Perfect for active breeds.
• ◆Woodland paths: Dappled light, autumn leaves, wonderful textures — and most dogs love woods.
• ◆Beach (off-season): October to April, most English beaches allow dogs freely, and the light and movement are extraordinary.
• ◆Your own garden or local park: Sometimes the most natural images come from the most familiar place — where the dog is completely relaxed.

What to expect from the photographs

The images will be joyful, chaotic, genuine, and full of life. You'll have beautiful portraits of the family together — and you'll also have those irresistible documentary moments: the dog stealing a hat, sitting on someone's feet, photobombing a family hug. Both matter.