Engagement photos are beautiful keepsakes that capture the feelings of excitement and anticipation that are present during the moments before your wedding. Including your dog in your engagement photos is a great way to involve the ones you love as you try to gather and collect beautiful moments.
Of course, bringing a dog to your engagement photo session comes with a unique set of challenges. Our tips are here to help you prepare and inspire ideas for your engagement photoshoot with your dog.
The 10 Tips for Engagement Photos With Your Dog
1. Communicate With Your Photographer
Pulling off a successful photoshoot requires a lot of coordination and advanced planning. Therefore, make sure to let your photographer know as soon as possible that you want to include your dog in your engagement photos.
No matter how cute and adorable your dog is, they can be an unwanted surprise for some photographers. This isn’t because they don’t like dogs. It’s often because dogs can be unpredictable, and many venues and popular photoshoot sites don’t allow dogs. Maintaining clear communication with your photographer will ensure that they have the right equipment and secure dog-friendly photoshoot locations.
2. Come Prepared With Treats and Supplies
Make sure to pack a separate bag for your dog. Essentials to include in your bag are a leash, your dog’s favorite treats, toys, and poop bags. It’s also a good idea to pack paw wipes or a towel in case your dog gets messy.
Your dog will be less likely to sit still for photos if they’re wearing clothes for the first time, and they feel uncomfortable. So, if you plan to have your dog wear clothes or accessories, make sure to train them to feel comfortable with wearing clothes well before the photoshoot.
3. Bring Comfortable Clothes
Taking photos with dogs can be unpredictable, and it has its unique set of challenges. If you have a particularly energetic or reactive dog, you may want to consider doing a more casual photoshoot with them.
Save your nice clothes for a separate photoshoot with your partner, and opt for wearing comfortable clothes where you can take some more active action shots with your dog. It’s still possible to end up with adorable and endearing engagement photos of you and your dog doing normal activities that you enjoy doing together.
4. Take Cozy Photos at Home
If you have a shy dog or a dog who gets distracted easily, your own home may be a good space to do a photoshoot with them. Since your home is the most familiar place for your dog, they’re likely to feel calmer and more comfortable. It’s often easier to get their attention, which means that you’re less likely to end up with blurry photos.
5. Go on a Walk
Dogs feel the most natural when they’re going for a walk. So, if your dog’s looking or feeling awkward in their photos, try going on a walk with them. A walk will loosen them up and help them expend any pent-up energy.
Dogs look happier when they’re on a walk, so your photographer can still get some really cute engagement photos of you and your partner walking your dog. Many dogs will also become less distracted and more responsive to commands after they’ve gone on a walk.
6. Explore Your Neighborhood
Exploring your neighborhood with your partner and your dog is a fun and engaging photoshoot concept. It’s perfect for adventurous dogs who’d prefer to be doing something rather than sitting still.
If you want to take photos in your neighborhood, make sure to scope out specific locations where you can stop to take photos. Keep your dog’s size and coat color in mind as you’re researching locations because you won’t want to choose a spot where your dog is likely to blend in. For example, if you have a white dog, it’s probably not the best idea to choose a white stucco wall as one of your photoshoot backdrops.
7. Recreate Your First Date That Included Your Dog
Another fun and cute engagement photo idea is to recreate the first date or moment that you and your partner shared with your dog. If revisiting your first date location isn’t possible, think about all the past dates you’ve gone on that included your dog. This will increase the number of options for photoshoot locations as you think about all the parks, restaurants, cafes, and other spots that your dog has visited with you and your partner.
8. Nature Shots
You can get a lot of beautiful and stunning engagement photos in nature. Dogs fit in so well to natural backdrops, and they’ll usually look happy in your photos because they enjoy being outside.
If you’re planning on doing an engagement photoshoot in nature, make sure that your dog’s vaccines are updated. It’s also important to ensure they’ve taken flea and tick medication and other preventative medicine to repel parasites.
9. Don’t Overlook Candid Shots
When it comes to dogs, you can get some of the endearing and unique photos from candid shots. Candid shots enable your dog to feel comfortable and blissfully unaware of a camera. They’re a great way to capture moments that encapsulate your dog’s genuine personality.
Therefore, if your dog feels uncomfortable or won’t sit still for a photo, let them do their own thing. Just don’t forget to ask your photographer to take photos if they catch your dog doing something interesting. Your photographer may also be able to capture moments that you and your dog share as you transition and move between different photoshoot locations and sets.
10. Ask a Friend to Watch Your Dog
It’s helpful to have an extra set of hands when taking photos with your dog. So, ask a family member or friend if they can accompany your dog during your engagement session. They can keep your dog distracted and also take them out on potty breaks.
Your friend may also know how to get your dog’s attention. This can be helpful for photographers when they’re trying to get your dog to look at the camera.
Conclusion
It does take some extra effort and advanced planning, but it’s totally possible for your dog to join your engagement photo session. Just make sure to give your photographer advanced notice and ensure they’re able to accommodate animals during their sessions.
When it comes to engagement photo ideas, it’s best to be flexible and work within your dog’s comfort zone. When you play to their strengths, you’ll be sure to capture some natural and endearing photos of your dog as they celebrate your engagement with you and your partner.
Featured Image Credit: Caroline O’Brien, Unsplash