I've had quite a few pets involved in my family sessions recently, so it seemed the perfect topic to write about this week!  My goal as a photographer is always to try to get to know your family- and to capture photographs that feel like you.  I don't want to take generic family photographs where every session ends up looking and feeling the same- and my entire process is built around capturing what makes you guys you- if pets are a part of your family story, of course we should include them in your session!

 

Pets at your in-home session

 

A mother holds her newborn baby and looks towards her husband, stroking their little dog at an in-home newborn session in Flackwell Heath.

I'll ask about pets in the questionnaire you fill in when booking your session- whether I'm coming over to your house for an in-home newborn session or a documentary family session, or one of my newer Christmas minis-I'm find out how your pets fit into your story, and work hard to make sure that we can capture them in your photographs.

A baby lies on the floor next to a Christmas tree, playing with a toy in a patch of window light. A dog lies on the sofa above her.
A little girl plays with her bubble wand while the family cat sits behind her in the garden of their house in Marlow.
A father holds a dog while his children play Lego on the living room floor at home in Marlow.

 

Pets at your outdoor session

 

I'm also more than happy to plan your outdoor session so that you can bring any dogs (or other pets) along.  I hold a lot of my outdoor session at either Marlow Common or Higginson Park, as well as some riverside locations, and most of these work brilliantly for including your pets.  Marlow Common, in particular, is heaven for dogs!

A little boy sits on his mother's shoulders next to Dad, on a fallen tree. Their family dog lies on the floor to the side of them.
A Mum pushes her little boy on a swing in Marlow Common while the Dad asks the family dog to sit.

A few tips:



  • If you have a really high energy dog, it's often a good idea to arrive at the location a little while before we are due to meet.  You can introduce your dog to the area and tire them out a little so they aren't quite so excited when we begin the session!
  • Bringing a favourite toy or treat is a good idea - a squeaky toy can help to get your pet to look in my direction (if you'd like them to) and a treat will reward them for sitting well for a photograph.
  • Be prepared for a little chaos- don't worry if things don't go exactly as you expect or want... just relax, enjoy the session and let me take care of the photographs.
  • Since my goal is to capture each family as they are, I prefer to follow along and capture what I see, offering a few pointers and suggestions along the way... I take the same approach when pets are involved, capturing candid photographs where possible.
A family- together with their dog- on a woodland session in Marlow Common last autumn.
A family walk through a misty Marlow Common with their toddler and dog.



I grew up with both dogs and cats, love animals of all shapes and sizes and if you're thinking about planning a family session that includes your pet, I'd love to hear from you!

A little boy plays with a tap in a garden while the cat watches with great curiosity.

 

Get in touch / Ask a question

 

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