FAQs: Dog Photography Sessions in London

But my dog doesn’t/can’t…

  • I have worked with SO many dogs whose owners think they can’t stay still long enough to take a photograph. Guess what? Every time I’ve finished a session with a skeptical human, their dog has completely surprised them every time. I have a tried and trusted range of tricks up my sleeve to help get the best out of your dog. AND the best images are never the ones of them sitting completely still. Trust my process!

  • Let me bring my years of experience of working with dogs to their portrait session. I am a dog advocate and strong believer in gentle consent-based approaches to get the best out of their dog. Through a combination of behaviour + reward, as well as endless patience and an utterly force-free approach, I can work to get the very best natural images of your dog.

  • The safety of the dog in front of my camera - as well as others around us - is the utmost priority during our portrait sessions. I will NEVER insist that your dog is off-lead in any context. Believe it or not, most of the dogs in my images were safely on a lead in the original image! With a little retouching fairy dust, you would never know.

  • There are a couple options here if you’d still love to have your dog-shy dog photographed but aren’t sure on the best method. We can choose a quiet location early in the morning to minimise any dog-dog interaction or if it is a major concern for you then a studio session in a private space such as your own home could be the way to go. Discuss this with me in more detail during a pre-booking chat to get the best advice.

But what if…

  • Throughout my extensive dog walking and dog photography careers, I have become best friends with numerous reactive dogs. I’ve also completed a course in canine reactivity to boot; you can rest assured you’re in good hands when it comes to your choice of photographer. We can work together in pre-shoot planning to find a location where they will be as comfortable as possible.
    Remember: ‘no dog left behind’.

  • Let’s be honest, the weather in London can be unpredictable at best. I’m always happy to shoot if it’s raining a little bit - there are always some amazing atmospheric images to be had. However, I always keep an eye on the weather forecast the night before and if it gets out of hand or looks to be a total washout we can absolutely reschedule.

  • Images from standard outdoor or studio portrait sessions are for personal use only. If you are a brand / business or dog-friendly venue then please contact me for rates.

So how long/how much does…

  • If you decide to commit to booking a session with me, from shoot to delivery of physical products is in total around 6 weeks. However, how early we can hold our session is subject to availability in my diary. It’s always best to book as early as possible as things can fill up quickly, especially in the warmer months.

  • Outdoors portrait sessions last between 1 and 2 hours: I like to take our time to ensure we get the very best out of your dog, remain force-free and allow them time and space.

    Studio portrait sessions last up to 1 hour and again depends on what your dog is happy to do.

    Your dog’s comfort, happiness and safety is always at the forefront, regardless of the session type or location.

  • Investing in professional photography can seem daunting and expensive. However, I am fully transparent with my prices from the get go.

    Session fees are clearly detailed on the relevant pages: outdoor and studio along with starting prices for artwork and products. For a complete breakdown of all product pricings and packages you can contact me at any time for a complimentary product guide pdf.

    All of the pricing information is made available to you before you commit to a portrait session - there is NEVER any pressure or expectation for you to spend.

CAN I…

  • Absolutely! I always encourage people to jump in front of my camera for at least a couple of images of them with their dog. At the viewing none of them regret it - often they’re the favourite images from their portrait session!

  • I am very relaxed about you bringing more than one dog provided they are from the same household. I’m experienced in working with multiple dogs, and as long as I can plan for this in advance I’d be delighted to capture images of the whole tribe.

On a studio shoot…

  • Before a dog even comes close to the backdrop or lights, I begin my desensitisation training so that they only have positive associations with the unusual sounds, textures and visuals. Through doing this, I make sure your dog is more than comfortable in a studio environment, and would NEVER force to do them anything they didn’t want to do.

  • Throughout my extensive dog walking and dog photography careers, I have become best friends with numerous reactive dogs. With a qualification in canine reactivity to boot, you can rest assured you’re in good hands when it comes to your choice of photographer.

  • Studio sessions are lots of fun for you and your dog. Expect images which solely focus on their unique personality: think minimalist backdrops, bright colours, a mixture of full body images and headshot portraits. It’s a wonderful opportunity to capture their quirks and things which simply make your dog, well, your dog!