Yana Skakun
Dogs & Pets at Weddings
Calm, experienced coverage that includes your four-legged best friend. Cambridge, London & across the UK.
How It Works
Coverage Options
For so many couples, the dog isn't a novelty add-on to the wedding — they're family, and the day wouldn't feel complete without them. I love photographing pets at weddings, and I bring genuine patience and a bit of know-how to making it work. Whether your dog is the ring-bearer, walks down the aisle, joins the couple portraits or simply makes a cameo at the drinks reception, I'll make sure they're part of the story you'll look back on.
Animals read energy, and a stressed photographer makes for a stressed pet. I work calmly and let dogs come to me rather than crowding them, so they stay relaxed and natural in front of the camera. I'm used to the realities of pets at events — the over-excitement, the zoomies, the sudden need to sniff every guest — and I know how to catch the brilliant in-between moments as well as the 'everyone looking' shot.
The secret to great pet photos is planning. In our pre-wedding chat we'll work out when your pet will be present, who's handling them, and where the best low-stress opportunities are. Often a dog joins for the ceremony and the first part of the reception, then goes home with a sitter before the evening — so we prioritise their photos early, while they're fresh and the light is good. I'll build a short, efficient window for couple-and-dog portraits so nobody's day is held up.
A few things make pet wedding photos go smoothly: assign a dedicated, calm handler (not the couple) who can step in and out of shot; bring treats and a familiar toy; do a short 'practice' on the morning so the dog has burned off energy; and have a comfortable spot where they can rest. For nervous dogs, a quieter ceremony cameo works better than a full day. I'll talk all of this through with you and your handler beforehand.
Dogs are the most common wedding guests of the four-legged kind, but I've happily photographed cats, horses and other beloved animals too. A horse in a paddock behind the couple portraits, a cat at an intimate at-home elopement, a pony for the flower children — if your animal matters to you, we'll find a safe, kind way to include them. The welfare of the animal always comes first.
Including pets doesn't cost extra — it's simply part of how I photograph your day. I offer half-day and full-day wedding coverage, plus elopement and micro-wedding options, across Cambridge, London and the UK. Every package includes a pre-wedding consultation (where we plan the pet moments), documentary coverage, relaxed portraits, a fully edited online gallery and personal print rights. See the pricing page for full details.
Get in touch with your date, venue and a bit about your pet — their name, their temperament and how you'd love to include them. I'll send availability and a few ideas for working them into the day. Your wedding gallery should have the whole family in it, paws included.
Tell me your date, venue and a little about your pet — I'll reply with availability and ideas for working them into the day.
Get in Touch
Tell me about your vision and I'll be in touch within 24 hours.