Tips for Bringing Your Pup to Your Engagement Shoot
Including an adorable pup ups the ante for any photo shoot, but even more so when it is something as important as your engagement images. He or she is part of your family and having a few moments captured cuddled up together will give you an added touch of cuteness everyone will be awe-ing over. While incorporating your furry love into your engagement session can seem like a lovely idea, it is important to keep these tips in mind to ensure your session goes smoothly.
Check With Your Shoot Location to Ensure They are Pet-friendly While selecting an outdoor venue is an obvious first thought, sometimes the location, season, or the style you have in mind doesn't fit the alfresco feel. If you are looking toward a more intimate shoot (maybe indoors with beautifully styled interiors or maybe where you had your first date such as a local coffee shop or lounge), reaching out to the venue ahead of time will help narrow it down for you and also help in visualizing the overall shoot. If your first shoot location turns you down upon this request, don't get discouraged. There are several business owners who will love the idea of an adorable shoot featuring their business and will make arrangements to ensure it goes smoothly for all parties involved.
Be Upfront With Your Photographer Next to ensuring your venue is pet-friendly, the most important aspect is talking to your photographer about having your pup included in your session. This is important because if you don't know your photographer well, you may not know that he or she is allergic to pet hair or that they are uncomfortable shooting with an energetic subject such as a dog out of his element. If this is a deal breaker for you and your partner going into the process, make sure to be upfront about that when meeting your potential photographer.
Bring Along a Family Member or Friend to Assist This one is a big one! The last thing you want is to have a potentially beautiful shot of you and your soon-to-be husband interrupted by a worried expression coaxed by an anxious pup. By having a familiar someone there to assist with the pup while you get portraits/couples shots taken will allow you to get the most out of your session and leave feeling like it was a great experience.
Pack the Essentials By packing with your precious pup in mind for the time you will shooting, you are already a huge step closer to achieving a stress-free session. Having familiar items such as toys, chews, or a dog bed will relax your pup once you get into the groove of the session and will equate to more ideal images. Keep in mind that every photo may not be perfect in the sense that he or she may be slightly distracted in a few images, but that is okay! Sometimes the cutest shots are the ones that are a little unplanned and showcase a true moment of life and its unpredictable moments. Style Me Pretty Contributor - Erica Chambers is a freelance writer and blogger at Styles by the C. After living in New York City, she has made her permanent residence along the white sandy beaches of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida with her husband and fur child, Maxwell. When she isn't working, you'll find her exploring local brunch spots or designing a nursery for her and her husband's first child, Leo.
