If there’s anything I’ve learned in our nearly 13 years in Colorado, it’s that y’all are adamant about including your dogs in your family pictures (and your weddings…), and we love it!
Adding animals to your family is such a beautiful choice. Unconditionally love, extra chaos, and endless fur – what more could you ask for?
So many of our favorite sessions & weddings have included your pets. How beautiful is that? The Stamp family chose to include their two dogs in their fall mini session, and I’m so glad they did! They all showed up looking so cute. I love how Katie, a fellow lone lady in a sea of boys, donned a bright floral dress, while her boys all coordinated in khaki, denim, and plaid. And those hats! True Coloradans.
We’ve had people schedule new puppy photoshoots just like they would for a new human baby. Honestly, obsessed with how much we all love our pets. They truly do become part of your family, so it only makes sense to decide to include your dogs… or cats (like this sweet session) or donkeys & horses (like this one). You can even include your pet in your brand session, like Kayle did!
Here are a few tips to make the most of including your dogs in your family pictures:
Bring treats!
Fun fact: This works for both kids & dogs.
Don’t stress.
It’ll feel a little chaotic (like this sweet session). Your dog will probably want to run around & jump & play. That’s fine! We love it & honestly it can be so cute.
Be willing to get on the ground with them!
Some of my favorite photos with dogs are the ones where you’re right down with them. It might get a little dirty & you’ll probably have grass in your hair, but it’s worth it (take a look to see what we mean).
Don’t forget their comfort, too.
A little sweater (or booties, like for this session) if it’s snowy & cold can go a long way to help your furry friend stay comfortable.
Bring a friend to help.
This isn’t always necessary for a short session, but it’s massively helpful for weddings! Julie & Sean had a friend who was in charge of their sweet pup, Axel, all wedding day – and he was such a huge help!
Be understanding of your pet’s needs.
Some may feel a little shy in front of a new person or in a new place. We can take it slow until they’re comfortable, just like we did for sweet Sunny in this session. All they usually need is to know they’re safe & to feel loved by their people.
Including your dogs in your family pictures is such a special choice. They are, after all, our family members!
With a little prep & a willingness to accept a bit of extra madness, family sessions with pets can be so much fun – giving you memories of the much too fleeting moments in time that our beloved animals are with us. Here are few extra foolproof ways to include your pup in your big day. 🙂
While the Stamp Family’s sweet pups weren’t the focus of their mini session, they were the perfect addition. I love how they added to the joy, creating movement in the final photos & really just emphasizing & celebrating real life moments. Here are some of my favorites!
If you’re dreaming of including your dogs (or other pets!) in your family pictures, we’d love to help! Our sessions are designed to embrace the chaos having a young family so often brings – showcasing real moments & so much love.
See more fun Colorado family galleries here!
Caffeine & dance parties. I know all about being a mom. We’ve got 3 (yes, THREE) rowdy not-so-little boys of our own. They’re why I picked up the camera in the first place. Contact us today to learn more about getting family photos of yours.
Open Comments