The last post considered what pet photography is—the visual documentation, though candid or formal portrait, focusing on either the physical and emotional form of our pet animal, or the human-animal bond we share with our pet.

This post is all about why you should consider professional photographs of your pet in a pet photography setting.

I. Their Lives Are Brief But of Great Substance

We all know this, particularly as our pet ages. Dog years, especially, are too short. Yet the time they share with us is a time of such substance. To illustrate this with a personal point, I would not be involved in photography without my dog Bismarck. You can read more about Bismarck here and the very special bond we shared in his brief time here. Put shortly, Bismarck made me grow as a person.

There’s so much love that is measured in our dogs and the time they spend with us. For that reason, they should be honored and celebrated.

II. Your Pet Is the Focus in a Pet Photography Session

I definitely encourage pets to be part of one’s family pictures. I encourage that a little time is taken apart to get shots with them. But doing so isn’t a replacement for a pet session where we all focus on your pet and their needs. Family sessions can be hectic without a pet there—making sure everyone is posed and smiling, and adding your pup into the mix while worthwhile can also add to their stress or discomfort—something we want to avoid in a pet session where our goal is to capture what makes our pet special.

Why is a Pet Session Different?

Pet sessions are different because the main focus is your pup, down to every detail.

When you book a session with me, the first thing I do is send out a questionnaire that helps me learn about your dog or cat. I want to know about their history with you, what their favorite treats are, how you would best describe their personality, what they love to do—all these things that help me engage with a pet during the session, or modify my behavior towards your pet to get the best possible pictures.

Having your pet as the focus of the session allows us all to put your pet first. That means observing his or her stress cues, rewarding sits and smiles with a favorite treat, taking time to water your pet or just take a short walk for a time out, letting your pet get comfortable with lighting or backdrop paper—all of these things done with the intention of getting shots of your pet that show them at their most relaxed, happiest. Sure, we’ll add pet parents in to get that bond between pet and parent as well, but with the upmost intention of putting our pet at ease. We’ll talk more in the How’s section about how this session is so different from a family session—but know that everything revolves around your pet(s).

Focusing on your pet also means quite literally focusing on your pet. For example, you may have noticed that dogs have longer noses than people; this in turn actually changes how we as pet photographers should pose and shoot our dogs to get focus perfect on the pups while maintaining a beautiful backdrop. Pet editing also comes with its own challenges. You can rest assured that I am certainly getting down to the details of editing fur to make it look its best, getting rid of blemishes unique to pets and, ahem, even red rockets, so that your pet looks his or her best in every photograph.

III. You Cherish Your Pet

Also, It’s NOT Indulgent

Your pet is beautiful, inside and out. Maybe you have a rescue that has the most beautiful, bright eyes and a cute little patch of white fur that looks like a heart. Or maybe you have a breed that you love and you want to capture how beautiful a representative of that breed your pet is. Capturing the beauty of your beloved pet through photography—that visual representation of what makes your pup or kitty so special—is a testimony of your love.

Look, I know you’ve thought it or someone made an unkind comment—isn’t it indulgent to take professional photographs of your pet? But you know as a pet parent that your dog has your heart, and more than that, your compassion and empathy for animals has shaped who you are. There is NOTHING indulgent about celebrating empathy, compassion, and the bond you share with your pet. Recording your pet’s life—that meaningful little life within your own life— is absolutely imperative; it’s a celebration of the best parts of our own humanity to capture with care and kindness our dear pets.

*Lily posing perfectly and focused on her pet mom*

Lastly, these photos last forever when our pets simply do not. And just typing this up and putting Bismarck’s pictures into this post made me overwhelmed in missing him. I’m so glad that I have pictures of him (probably hundreds) but it feels like it will never be enough because he is so missed. Because I cherished him so much. I’m so thankful I have those pictures. When I see his picture on the wall it just makes me happy to remember the love he gave me, and I’d love to create something just as special for you and your pet.

*Just one more picture of my beautiful boy*

Next in the W Series: Where Should You Have a Session?

The W Series: Why Choose Pet Photography