Portrait Day Tips

5 Stellar Pet Photo Tips

• Pet Grooming – You’ll want your pet clean and nicely brushed for Portrait Creation Day. Most people are happiest with the pictures when they can see their pets eyes. Take a moment and make sure those gorgeous pools of expression are visible, without residue or tear stains around them.

• Exercise – Take your pet for a walk or have a short play time before the session to work out any excess energy. We’ll want them playful and fun, but not so energetic that we can’t keep up with them! By the end of the portrait session, they’ll be more tuckered out and ready for thoughtful/still photos.
• Treats & Feeding – Treats often work wonders in getting pets to do what we want. I’ll have treats, but be sure to bring your pet’s favorites with you, too. Avoid over feeding before the session so they’ll be more likely to work to get those special goodies.
• Toys & Favorite Items – It’s also a great idea to bring your pet’s favorite squeaky toy, blanket or worn out stuffed animal in case we need them as attention-getters. I’ll have a backpack full of fun items, but often it’s their favorite items that get their eyes sparkling.
• Leashes & Collars – Indoor sessions can often be done without leashes or collars, but when working outdoors it’s important to keep your pet safe. That means leaving leashes and collars on. In most cases, I can remove the leash. In fact, we’ll stage most of the shots so that leash removal is as simple as possible. Collars are more difficult so make sure your pet is wearing a collar you like and want photographed. Collars and tags will not be removed from the final image. The same goes for harnesses. If your pet needs to be harnessed during the session that is great! But, the harness won’t be removed in editing so make sure it’s one you like.

5 Stellar People Photo Tips

• Relax – This is the best tip I can give you! It’s all going to go very well. If you get uptight or anxious, your pet will sense it and do the same. They’ll take their cues from you.
• Be Timeless – Clothing can often date your image so think solid colors with clean, simple lines. Unless you’re going for a specific theme, it’s a good idea to save t-shirts with graphics and logos for another occasion. Jeans and khakis in neutral to dark colors are a great choice.
• Comfort counts – Wear shoes and clothes you can move in easily. The sessions tend to be quite active so you’ll appreciate being dressed nicely, but comfortably.
• Eat – No hangry clients, please! You’ll feel your best and your pet will appreciate it if you’ve eaten and are well-hydrated before the session. You might also want to bring a snack bar and water to refresh yourself during one of our short breaks.
• Be Willing to Take Direction – Animals typically have short attention spans so sometimes I might not have a lot of time to explain exactly what I’m after. I may quickly ask you to move or change what you’re doing. I might then ask you to go back to doing what you were doing! Please know this is to give you the best possible images. I’ll always keep you and your pet safe, so please be willing to cooperate with a smile and great attitude.

We’re going to have fun and work together to create beautiful artwork of your pet that you will treasure!