IF ALLOWED OFF-LEASH, MY DOG WILL RUN AND RUN AND RUN UNTIL HE REACHES THE EDGE OF THE EARTH! (AND HE MOST LIKELY WON’T LOOK BACK!) WHAT DO WE DO?
No worries! It is recommended that you bring a long leash for pups that cannot be off leash as we still want to get fun action shots of him doing what he does best - bouncing around and playing like a crazy man (or woman, of course.) The number one priority of our session is your dog’s safety, so if a leash is a part of that equation - then that is perfectly fine! Lucky for us, we happen to be very well versed in a little thing called ‘Photoshop’. That means that all leashes can be removed without a trace in the digital editing portion of the process.
BEFORE
AFTER
CAN I BRING MY DOG'S FAVORITE POSSESSION? (TOY, BLANKET, STUFFED ANIMAL, ETC?)
Please do! Not only will it add a bit of fun and character in to the shots - but, they will also be extremely powerful in keeping your pup interested and engaged with the camera!
I LOVE TO DRESS MY PUP IN COLORFUL BANDANAS (AND/OR T-SHIRTS, FANCY COLLARS, BOWS, ETC). CAN I BRING A FEW CHANGES?
Absolutely yes! It’s all about customizing the look of these photos to exactly what you’d like to see. If you have a hilarious Halloween costume/hat/bowtie/ pair of spectacles - bring that along too! Comedy is so innate to the spirit of a dog, that we think it’s perfectly fitting to include some silliness here and there. We can throw in a few changes just for fun! If, on the other hand, you prefer to keep things au natural - that also works! We’ll do a bit of everything to offer up some great variety in your final gallery!
WHAT TIME WILL OUR PHOTO SESSION BE?
When photographing outdoors, it is important to consider the best natural light of the day. When the sun is too high in the sky, it casts a harsh light that creates very contrasty shadows. Needless to say, this isn’t a good look for subjects being photographed. It is best to wait until the sun is low in the sky to begin our photo session. The few hours before sunset, as the sun is making its descent towards the horizon - are absolutely magical for photographs. The light streams in sideways over the world, casting a dream-like yellow light all over. This timeframe changes depending on the varying light patterns throughout the year - (earlier in the winter, much later in the summer).
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS (HAILS/SNOWS /FRUITS & VEGGIES FALL FROM THE SKY)?
When photographing outdoors, it is important to consider the best natural light of the day. When the sun is too high in the sky, it casts a harsh light that creates very contrasty shadows. Needless to say, this isn’t a good look for subjects being photographed. It is best to wait until the sun is low in the sky to begin our photo session. The few hours before sunset, as the sun is making its descent towards the horizon - are absolutely magical for photographs. The light streams in sideways over the world, casting a dream-like yellow light all over. This timeframe changes depending on the varying light patterns throughout the year - (earlier in the winter, much later in the summer).
HOW IMPORTANT IS LOCATION?
SO important. The more gorgeous your location, the more gorgeous the resulting images. Images taken in your backyard versus images taken on the beach beneath a stunning sunset, or in a field of yellow sunflowers on a warm summer day will have a powerfully different impact. Here are some examples of the visual impact different locations can have:
CITY
BEACH
FOREST
PARK
Hey, it’s understandable. It can be a big, scary world out there! The good news is that we have a fantastic collection of zoom lenses - which means that we can be a solid 10 feet or more away from your sensitive pup and still capture gorgeous portraits. That being said, we still consider zoom lenses to be a last resort. As extreme dog lovers, we pride ourselves in the fact that we can read and understand canine body language very clearly. This helps us to become closer to your pup, and always make sure he is super comfortable with us before taking out the camera. If that means that the first half hour or so of our session has to be spent warming them up with treats and toys - then so be it! No worries at all on this front. It is important that our star of the day feels comfortable and confident to shine. :)
MY DOG IS SHY / AFRAID OF CAMERAS / AFRAID OF NEW PEOPLE.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOULD I BRING ALONG TO THE SESSION?
The most ideal situation for your pup’s photo session is that you bring as few spectators as possible. This is because dogs inherently feed off the energy of the ‘pack’ surrounding them - and more people typically means more stimulation and confusion for the dog, which limits focus and performance longevity when it comes to posing and being generally adorable. :)
HOW DO WE GET MY PUP TO SMILE FOR THE CAMERA?!
We will bring yummy treats along to our session for your pup to pig out on. (Okay, okay. Maybe not pig out, but you get what we mean.) Let us know beforehand if your pup has any allergies or dietary restrictions and we will tailor the treat selection to their needs. If there is any other kind of goodie that just drives your pup crazy (i.e. carrot sticks, chicken, cheese, etc) feel free to bring a little baggie along. The more yummy treats we have, the more control we’ll have over your pup, his expressions and the resulting images.
CAN I BE IN SOME OF THE SHOTS WITH MY PUP?
Certainly! We understand what it feels like to love a dog, and just how perfect the human-dog bond can be! So, we are happy to spend a small portion of our session focused on capturing images of you and your pup together, interacting and just generally being the bffs that you are. Since Dog Breath Photography specializes in capturing canines first and foremost, the session will be heavily focused on just your dog(s) solo. That said, if you decide you’d like to be involved, you can expect to have a small portion of time allotted to the special bond that is so unique to you and your pup!
HOW ABOUT HIGH-ENERGY DOGS? IS IT OKAY THAT MY DOG IS BASICALLY A LIVING POGO STICK AND SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME BOUNCING OFF WALLS AND OTHER VARIOUS THINGS?
Yes! High-energy dogs are a personal favorite of the Dog Breath lens! The boundless energy and joy of a canine is exactly what we strive to capture. Our session is not scripted or posed - it’s all about capturing joy in action, the endless happiness of dog being dog. So your bouncy, wiggly, goobery little pup is very much welcome ‘round these parts!
YOU DID IT!
You’ve reached the end of the Dog Breath Photo Shoot Guide! We truly cannot wait to make magic with your pup! Be sure to sign up for a phone consultation in order to apply for your spot on our extremely limited shooting calendar. In the meantime, we present to you - for no reason other than your enjoyment - a poodle in a birthday hat.
