I’m so lucky. My job isn’t your typical nine-to-five. I get to spend my days lying in the dirt and getting covered in slobbery kisses. Have you ever wondered what goes into a pet photographer’s camera bag. Hint, it’s a lot more than just our camera gear. It takes a whole lot more gear to capture those unforgettable moments of furry cuteness. It takes a whole bag of tricks (and treats!). Let’s dive into my gear and unveil the secrets to getting those pawsome pics!

So we’ll start with the obvious 📷.

1. My trusty Nikon Z8

This mirrorless marvel is my constant companion. Lightweight and lightning-fast, it lets me move with the agility of a ninja squirrel, keeping up with even the most energetic furballs. It’s perfect for capturing those fleeting moments of pure joy.

2. My Lens Duo

I never leave home without my trusty lens duo! My 70-200mm lens zooms in tight for those captivating close-up portraits that capture every whisker twitch and playful tongue loll. It also allows me to be at more of a distance for dogs who maybe need a bit more space. And this lens gives you those gorgeous, smooth backgrounds. For capturing the full scene, like a majestic Golden Retriever bounding through a field of wildflowers or an adorable 15 year old Chiweenie overlooking a sweeping beach vista (at last week’s session), my 24-70mm lens is perfect for the job.

3. A little extra sunshine

I always carry a portable off-camera flash unit even for outdoor sessions. You never know when you’re going to need a little extra light on a gloomy day or deep in the woods to bring a little extra sparkle to your images.

4. Lens Wipes: Battling the Drool Monster

Let’s be real, pet photography isn’t always glamorous, in fact it’s usually downright messy. Between the slobbery kisses and the over enthusiastic muddy paw prints, my lens cleaning supplies are lifesavers. A clean lens means crisp, drool-free photos that make pet parents swoon. Gotta keep the gear clean, the rest of me can stay wet and muddy until I get home 😊

5. TREATS: String Cheese & More!

Happy pups make for happy photos, and that’s where my treat arsenal comes in. String cheese is a universal crowd-pleaser, but I also carry a variety of other yummy snacks to keep those furry friends motivated. After my camera, my treat supply is my most important piece of gear. A well-motivated model is a model who delivers the goods (and the cute poses).

6. The Noisemaker Symphony

It can take a lot of silly noises to get those adorable head tilts and adorable expressions. Sometimes, a squeaky toy just isn’t enough. That’s why I come prepared with a full orchestra of noisemakers, from crinkly balls to a quacking duck call (hey, it works!). I’m also prepared to unleash a wide array of slightly embarrassing, silly noises of my own. You will find me during a session meowing, puppy whining and generally making a fool of myself in search of the perfect expression. Hey, whatever it takes, right?

7. Poop Bags: The Silent But Necessary Hero

Accidents happen, even to the most glamorous pups. I always pack plenty of poop bags – because we want to be able to keep taking our pups to beautiful places and that means always cleaning up after our dogs.

8. Hydration Station

Especially on hot days, a portable water bowl is a must-have to keep my furry friends happy and hydrated. A happy pup is a cooperative pup, and that means more time for capturing those pawsome portraits!

9. The Multi-Purpose Towel

A towel is a lifesaver in the field! It can clean up unexpected messes, dry off a wet pup, or create a comfy spot for my furry friend to relax between takes. I didn’t have a towel at a recent session and realized I needed to add it to my kit. At the very beginning of this session an impeccably groomed Sheltie promptly jumped into some black muck before we had even taken a single photo. A quick dunk of her feet and legs into the clean water and then drying off with my sweatshirt saved the day, but a towel got added to my camera bag after that.

10. Safety First

Because unexpected situations arise, I always carry a small pet first-aid kit. Better safe than sorry, especially when dealing with adventurous furry explorers! Here are links to the Red Cross’ list of what your kit should contain and a review of the 4 best kits you can buy online for those of us who would like something ready made.

So there you have it! A peek inside my bag of tricks that helps me translate pet pandemonium into unforgettable pet portraits. It’s all about being prepared, having the right tools, and showering our furry friends with love (and maybe a few treats). Now, enough talking, gotta go capture some cuteness!!

Let me know if I left anything out. Or if you have any questions. Talk soon!

xoxoxo

Donna

• The number ONE concern dog owners have when thinking of a portrait session is: My dog can’t be off-leash. That’s honestly not a problem at all. 99.9% of the dogs I photograph are ON LEASH the entire session. And then through the magic of Photoshop I remove the leash (and sometimes the entire owner) from the final image. Check out the image below to see my magic in action!

• The on-leash concern is followed closely by the “My dog is very distractible and would never sit still for a session!”. Good news, I don’t expect them to. It’s perfectly normal for your dog to be distracted in a new location. With all the great smells and things to investigate, I expect it. It’s NOT a problem. I have an infinite supply of patience and it only takes a fraction of a second for me to capture THE SHOT. Since your dog is on leash and we have super yummy treats, we just bring them back and try again. And your dog’s session isn’t all sitting still, looking serious. I love to capture candid moments and action shots. Even the MOST distractible dog can have their moment in the spotlight!

• Choose a photographer who specializes in pet photography. Just as I wouldn’t photograph a wedding (heaven forbid), there is a very special skill set involved in being a pet photographer. We are animal lovers first and always have your pet’s well-being in mind. We know how to read canine body language and know how to best communicate with them. For me, in addition to exclusively photographing pets, I have 20+ years as a positive dog trainer. I will always put your pet’s needs first.

• My dog isn’t friendly with other dogs, is reactive, is very shy and fearful. That’s okay! I’ve owned dogs with all of those personalities myself and I totally understand their needs. My first rule for all sessions is that the dog is HAPPY. So we’re going to make them feel comfortable and safe before we ever start our session. Since I design every session for the particular dog we’re photographing, we will choose quieter, less busy locations. We’ll stay away from places that off-leash dogs frequent and pick a quiet time at whatever location we choose to keep the distractions to a minimum.

• I usually recommend that clients go to the session location a bit before your session time and just walk around a bit. This gives your dog a chance to check out the location. To see what’s going on, to have a bit of sniff and pee on some stuff. All this can help them settle in and be more comfortable when the session begins.

• Bring some small, yummy treats with you. Something they don’t get all the time can really keep their interest – cheese, deli meat, liver, chicken, you name it. I will have a selection of very special treats from Polkadog and The Natural Dog with me, but if your dog has favorites or a sensitive tummy make sure to bring their special treats along.

• A simple, buckle collar (preferably without a LOT of dangly tags) photographs best. If you need a special collar or harness to walk your dog to the session, no worries, just bring a regular flat collar for the session. That and a plain 6 ft leash and you’re all set.

• Lastly, the MOST important thing you can do to prepare for your dog’s portrait session is to RELAX and enjoy the experience! This is going to be fun (trust me, I photograph a lot of dogs and they’re always FUN!). Dogs sense our stress and that doesn’t make for a great experience for either of you. As long as your dog is relaxed and having fun, we’ll get great images. So relax and enjoy the experience.

Have more questions? Interested in a session for your dog? Check out my Session Guide for all the information on my sessions. Or my FAQ page for answers to more commonly asked questions.

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Did you enjoy this post? I’ve teamed up with some amazing photographers around the country in a blog circle to bring you lots of great photography ideas. Any Pittsburgh friends here? Jessica Wasik with Bark & Gold Photography shares 5 tips to ensure a seamless pet photography session with your puppy. https://barkandgoldphotography.com/?p=14736

Ahh, Spring in New England. Is there anything better? After months of dreary days, cold weather and approximately 4 hours of daylight a day (okay that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration) I think we’re all ready for winter to be over!

We’re longing for the warmer temperatures and longer days that spring brings with her. The extra sunshine, the leaves returning to the trees and flowers blooming everywhere is just the antidote we need after a long winter. Finally we have more time to spend romping outside with our furry family members. What are you and your dog looking forward to as spring approaches?

Some fun spring ideas!

Twister and Believe are looking forward to lots of fun things this spring (maybe your dogs would like to try them out too).

• Getting outside more and exploring some new hiking trails.
• Visiting the beach before it closes to dogs for the summer.
• We’re planning a ROAD TRIP! Grab your pup and hit the open road to check out a new dog friendly location for a few day getaway. Here is a great guide to a ton of ideas for New England road trips. I can’t wait to try out most of them!
• Hosting a doggy playdate – we love to invite few fur friends over for some fun in the yard! It’s a great way for pups to socialize in a safe environment.
• Visiting a dog-friendly restaurant. There are a lot of restaurants with patio seating that allow your pup to come with you while you dine (I love Marketstreet Lynnfield for lots of dog friendly options). I always pack some water and snacks for my dog as they hang out at my feet. Important tip for this, make sure your dog would be comfortable in the close quarters on most patios and able to chill for an hour or more without barking or mooching off the other diners 😊.
• If your dog isn’t ready for the restaurant scene: Have a picnic with your pup. Pack up some yummy treats for you both and enjoy the sunshine.
• And since my dogs favorite thing is to play in the water, have a pool party! Yes their pool is just a kiddie pool with a few inches of water in it but that doesn’t dampen the fun. And since they’re Border Collies who love to chase anything that moves, they LOVE the sprinkler too.

So what fun are you and your dogs looking forward to this spring? Anything that I can add to my dogs’ list?

And what about some spring portraits to remember these special days?

On top of all that doggie fun to be had, as a pet photographer one of my favorite things about the return of spring are SPRING PORTRAIT SESSIONS. Finally we can get back outside and photograph your dog in all the beauty that a New England spring provides.

I have several locations that really capture spring’s beauty. From flowering trees and native wildflowers in bloom to lush green fields and bubbling streams. These locations definitely capture the beauty of New England in SPRING. And while this time of year is amazing for all dogs, for those pups who don’t like the heat, now is the PERFECT time to schedule their session. Check out my Session Guide and Contact me if you have any questions or to plan your dog’s spring session. Let’s kiss winter goodbye and cherish these bright, beautiful days while we welcome in the beauty of spring!

There is nothing to test a pet photographer’s patience like trying to photograph their own dogs. I probably shouldn’t admit this as a dog trainer and pet photographer, but my dogs are terrible models. They’re certain that as soon as I lift my camera to my eye, it must be time to get up and come visit me. I swear they do have a “stay”…. most of the time.

But what is a pet photographer to do on a lovely spring day during a pandemic when there are no client sessions on the schedule. Take their own dogs out for a session amongst the blooming forsythia, of course. Armed with string cheese, my camera and dogs we headed out for some “fun”. I quickly remembered my dog’s modeling challenges. And found myself getting frustrated.

Clients are forever telling me how patient I am. Especially if their dogs are being a bit, shall we say, exuberant during their session. They frequently feel embarrassed with with their dog’s antics and can get frustrated trying to just get them to hold still for a nanosecond. This session reminded me how that feels. Let’s face it though, it’s not natural for dogs to sit still in exciting new environments while some stranger points a big camera at them. Especially when there are lots of great sights to see and smells to check out (and maybe pee on). Some dogs are just a bit nervous in new situations and need more time to warm up to this whole idea. Others are SO HAPPY to be in this fun new place that they can’t possibly sit still. I’ve shared my life with both types of dogs, so I always respect where they’re coming from. I believe making my subjects feel safe and the session fun for THEM is my duty during every session. So, I constantly remind my clients to relax and have fun with the whole experience, naughtiness included. We’ve got plenty of time (my sessions don’t have a time limit and we can always re-schedule if a dog is too stressed by the situation).

So, it was time to practice what I preach :-). Patience, remembering to take a deep breath and keep it fun! I’m very happy with the end results.

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• April 12, 2020

On this Easter Sunday, we enter another week of social distancing, working from home and our new lives with a scary pandemic. I think all of us, our dogs included, could use something new and different as a little distraction. As much as our dogs are enjoying having us around more to let them out of the house and back into the house and then back out of the house ALL day long, I thought I’d share some fun ideas for different ways to keep our pups entertained. So, I’ve complied a list of ideas and resources to get you started. Feel free to add something new you’re teaching or doing with your dogs to the comments below.

• Scent Games

Our dogs sense of smell is 40-50 times greater than ours. We all know of the amazing feats search and rescue dogs perform. So why not teach your dogs some fun games using this amazing ability of theirs. I enjoy playing a version of “Hide and Seek” with my dogs by hiding treats around the house and then sending them off to find them. I start by letting them watch me hide them in pretty obvious places and then fairly quickly make the hiding places more challenging. They think it’s super fun and it can keep them busy for a long time. For more scent games you can play I’ve included a couple of links below.

https://suzanneclothier.com/pdfs/Scent%20Games.pdf

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/indoor-scent-games-for-dogs/

• Tricks

Tricks are not only fun for our dogs to learn, they’re fun to show off to your friends. Some, such as “sit up” and “bow”, are even great to keep them strong and limber. Try a few from the list below.

https://dogtime.com/reference/dog-training/34027-10-fun-impressive-tricks-can-teach-dog

Need more ideas and in-depth instruction, “The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book” authored by my friend and guru Gerilyn Bielakiewicz and photographed by me 🙂 is an awesome resource.

https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Dog-Training-Tricks-Book/dp/1605500224

• Training Games

While my dogs love to play fetch and chase their frisbees, we all especially love brain games. Shaping (the process of teaching a behavior in little steps) games are great since they are such an amazing mental workout for our dogs. “101 things to do with a box” is one of my all time favorites. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

https://www.clickertraining.com/101-things-to-do-with-a-box

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• Food Toys

There are more ways to feed your dog than in a simple, boring old bowl. There are puzzle toys, slow feeding bowls, snuffle mats and the classic stuffed kong toy. You can even just scatter their food in your house or yard and let them hunt it up. These ideas are perfect for when you have work to get done and want to keep your dog quiet and busy. Below are some food toy stuffing ideas.

https://www.kongcompany.com/learn/stuff-a-kong

• Virtual Training Group

Looking for a positive training group for more enrichment and play ideas. My friend and fellow trainer Jenny Stieglitz has started a FB group just for you. Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SavvyCanineClub/

• Reading List

What? You haven’t taught your dog to read yet…. what have you been doing all this time :-). Okay, these ideas are for the humans here. Two of my favorite non-fiction dog books that will offer great insights into our dogs and how they feel and think are: The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell and Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier. For some other ideas:

https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?u=4c2848b623ab6cf1f28959e5a&id=b9120b0fa0

• March 22, 2020

As I sit in my yard with my dogs this afternoon, I can feel that spring has returned. The sun is warm on my face and the birds are singing all around. I’m watching the dogs romp and roll in the greening grass with huge smiles on their faces. Spring has always been my favorite season. A time of hope and infinite possibilities. But this spring is so very different… this year it’s a time of fear and uncertainty for the future. It’s really scary not knowing what the next weeks and months ahead may hold. But I also see reasons to hope – our dogs and their boundless optimism, all the families out walking and spending time together, neighbors checking in and chatting (from respectable distances) and people running errands for those who can’t go out safely. These small gestures remind me not to give in to despair. That we must take this time to reach out, more than ever, to those around us. Times like this are so stressful and the isolation (and loneliness) this pandemic brings only makes these days even harder. So let’s make sure we’re looking out for and taking care of each other. A text, or even, gasp, a phone call (you know those things we used to make with our phones in the “olden days” 🙂 can help us all feel less alone. I know I’m incredibly grateful to have my dogs at my sides right now, but let’s face it, they’re not the best conversationalists. So if you find that talking to your dogs isn’t enough, reach out. I am always available for some “virtual” human contact. Feel free to message or call (my info is below) and we’ll (remotely) share a cup of coffee (or a chocolate martini) and lift each other up. We are all in this together and we will all get through this together.

So, in the interest of keeping connected. Tell us what you and your dog are doing to stay sane? Getting fit? Teaching a new trick? Working on a rock solid stay for a future portrait session :-)? Cuddling on the couch eating popcorn and watching mindless, sappy movies? I think I’m working on all of the above. Let me know in the comments. And I can’t wait to SEE you all soon!