Bringing Your Pet to a Family Photoshoot?

LET'S BE REAL—adding pets to a family photoshoot is a little like adding a toddler with zoomies. Absolute chaos? Sometimes. But also completely worth it. I love photographing pets because they bring out the best in their humans—real laughs, real moments, and a little unpredictability that makes for some of my favorite shots. So, if you’re planning to bring your furry (or feathered or hoofed) family member to your portrait session at Images Studios, here’s how we’ll make it work.

1. Burn Off Some Energy First A tired dog (or cat or horse) is a cooperative one. A long walk, some fetch, or a little playtime before the session can help take the edge off that first-burst-of-freedom excitement.

2. Bring Treats & Favorite Toys Want those adorable head tilts or perky ears? Treats and squeaky toys work like magic. And if all else fails, I have my own secret arsenal of sounds that make dogs (and sometimes even dads) look at the camera.

3. Let Them Be Part of the Action Instead of forcing a stiff pose, let your pet interact naturally—lying next to you, nudging the kids, or just being their goofy selves. These unscripted moments? Gold.

4. Pick a Location That Works for Them Pets feel safest in familiar places, so if they get anxious in new environments, consider an outdoor session at your family farm, backyard, or favorite lake spot in Cold Lake or Bonnyville.

5. Expect the Unexpected Some of the best moments happen when pets do exactly what they weren’t supposed to do. If your dog suddenly decides it’s belly-rub time mid-session? We roll with it. If they photobomb a serious shot? Even better.

6. Safety First (Because Chaos is Only Fun to a Point) If your pet is nervous or overly enthusiastic, a leash, harness, or handler nearby can help keep things calm—especially for outdoor family portraits.

7. Work with a Photographer Who Gets It (Hint: That’s Me!) Not every family photographer knows how to handle a dog that’s more interested in chasing squirrels than posing. At Images Studios in Cold Lake, I know how to get the shot while keeping it stress-free (and making you laugh in the process).

Let’s Capture the Chaos (and the Cuteness!) Bringing your pet to a family photoshoot is supposed to be fun—not stressful. So let’s plan a session where your furry friend gets to be themselves, and you get portraits that make you smile every time you see them.