As a Seattle Family Photographer, I often receive client enquiries about family photo sessions. It is not uncommon to get a question from a client asking if they might bring their dog or dogs to the session. This is qualified by the assurance the pets are well behaved have been with the family since the kids were born. I always smile while reading pet owners’ enquires or listening to them on the phone when they say: “It would be great to get couple of pictures with them…”
I am not only open to the idea of pets participating in my family photo sessions, but I very much welcome it!
The presence of pets creates a fantastic opening when we start photographing. The smiles and tenderness on all faces is real from the start, and doesn’t need to be induced by me saying encouraging words like: “Hey now, smile for me.”
Dogs create an instantaneous emotional bridge between all of us within seconds of getting out of the car. Over the years, I photographed kids with their pets, adults with their beloved new puppies, and old dogs who have been in the family for many years and have little time left on earth.
I have photographed little, medium, and big dogs, which have been scruffy or fluffy, black as a coal, white as a snow, tawny as caramel, and yellow as autumnal fields. Some of them had fancy leashes and collars on, beautiful name tags, winter jackets, reindeer antlers, little hats and occasionally wore sun glasses. Different fashions for each but all had one thing in common: they came with their family members to be photographed as part of the family legacy.
Dogs love to participate in our sessions and give their best whatever happens: they sit, run, tilt their heads when their name is called, lick faces and make everyone all laugh. Afterward, when I see my clients’ pet photos posted on Facebook I have to smile. And then, years later, when I see same photos reposted on Facebook tears will fall from my eyes because they are usually accompanied by touching eulogies.
I recently came across such an example when my one of my clients posted: “Our boy, Buddy crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday morning. Who ever thought a little 12 pound ball of fluff could fill one’s heart with so much love? I love you, Buddy. You will never be forgotten.”
Great dogs like Buddy, Chester, Shasta, Jewel, and Simon are gone now. But their photos remain, bringing back beautiful memories.
By all means bring your beloved dogs (or any other pets) to Family Photo Sessions and we will create images that you will treasure for the rest of your life.
