In This Guide
- Why Include Pets in Family Photos
- How to Prepare Your Pet for a Photo Session
- Best Edmonton Locations for Pet-Friendly Sessions
- Specific Tips for Dogs (The Most Common Family Pet)
- Other Pets: Cats, Rabbits, and Beyond
- How I Get Natural Pet Photos
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Include Pets in Family Photos
Let me start with a simple truth: your pet is family. Whether it is the dog who greets you at the door every single day, the cat who sleeps on your pillow, or the rabbit your kids adore, your pet is woven into the fabric of your family’s daily life. So when you book a family photo session, leaving them out feels incomplete.
I say this as both a photographer and a pet owner. Some of my most treasured personal photos include our family dog. Looking back at those images now, years later, I am so grateful we included her. Because the reality is, our pets are with us for a season. Dogs live 10 to 15 years on average. Cats a bit longer. Those years go by quickly, and having professional photos that show your pet as part of the family creates heirlooms that matter deeply.
| Stat | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Households With Pets | 58% | Canadian Animal Health Institute, 2024 |
| Pet Owners Who Consider Pets Family Members | 95% | Leger Survey for Purina Canada, 2024 |
That 95% number speaks volumes. Almost every pet owner considers their pet a family member. And if they are a family member, they belong in the family portrait. Moreover, pets add a genuinely unique energy to photos. The way a dog leans into their owner. The way kids light up when the dog is involved. The candid chaos of a puppy who will not sit still. These moments create images that are full of personality, warmth, and authentic family life.
How to Prepare Your Pet for a Photo Session
The key to great pet photos is preparation. A well-prepared pet means less stress for everyone — the pet, the family, and the photographer. Here is my complete preparation guide:
Exercise Before the Session
This is the single most important tip, especially for dogs. A tired dog is a cooperative dog. Take your dog for a long walk or a good play session 1 to 2 hours before the photo session. Let them burn off that excess energy. A dog who has been lying on the couch all day will arrive at the session bursting with excitement, pulling on the leash, and unable to focus. A dog who has already had their exercise will be calm, happy, and much more willing to sit still for a few moments.
Grooming
Schedule a grooming appointment for 2 to 3 days before the session. Not the day of — freshly groomed pets often look slightly different from their usual selves, and the visit can make some dogs anxious. A couple of days allows the coat to settle while still looking clean and polished. Brush them the morning of the session to remove any loose fur or tangles.
Bring High-Value Treats
Regular kibble will not cut it when you need your dog to look at the camera while surrounded by squirrels, other dogs, and exciting new smells. Bring high-value treats — the kind they go absolutely crazy for. Small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese cubes, or their favourite commercial treats. I use these strategically throughout the session to reward good behaviour and direct attention.
Bring Their Favourite Toy
A squeaky toy is invaluable for getting a dog to look in a specific direction. The sound of a squeak near the camera gets instant attention — ears up, eyes alert, that classic attentive dog expression. Bring two or three toys so we have options. If one loses its appeal, we switch to another.
Familiar Leash and Collar
Use whatever leash and collar your pet is most comfortable with. A photo session is not the time to debut a new harness. Familiarity reduces stress. For the photos themselves, I often remove the leash digitally if needed, or we use a thin, easily concealed leash. Some clients bring a nice bandana or bow tie for their pet, which adds a charming touch without being uncomfortable.
Preparation Tip
Bring a helper — someone your pet knows and trusts who is not in the photos. This person can hold the leash during non-pet shots, bring the pet in when needed, use treats and toys to direct attention, and take the pet for a walk if they need a break. This “pet wrangler” makes the session run so much more smoothly.
Best Edmonton Locations for Pet-Friendly Sessions
Edmonton is an incredibly dog-friendly city with numerous parks and trails that work beautifully for family photography with pets. Here are my top recommendations:
Location Why It Works for Pets Leash Rules
Terwillegar Park Off-leash area, open fields, river access, natural backdrops Off-leash designated areas
Hawrelak Park Lake, manicured grounds, fall colours, spacious On-leash (city park)
Government House Park Gardens, pathways, elegant feel, enclosed spaces On-leash
Buena Vista Park Off-leash, river views, wooded trails, varied terrain Off-leash designated areas
Mill Creek Ravine Forest canopy, bridges, creek features, urban nature On-leash on trails
River Valley (Emily Murphy) River views, layered backgrounds, golden hour light On-leash
For sessions with dogs, I often recommend starting in an off-leash area if possible. When dogs can explore freely, they are more relaxed and natural. We capture some candid family-and-dog moments while they are loose, then leash up for the more posed portions. This approach gets the best of both worlds — natural energy and controlled composition.
Consider Your Dog’s Personality
An anxious dog might do better in a quieter location like a private backyard or a less-trafficked trail. A social, energetic dog might thrive at Terwillegar Park where there is room to run. A senior dog who cannot handle long walks might be happiest at Government House Park where the walking is gentle and the benches are plentiful. I always ask about your dog’s temperament when planning the session because the right location makes a real difference.
Specific Tips for Dogs (The Most Common Family Pet)
Dogs are by far the most common pet included in family sessions, and they come with their own set of challenges and opportunities. Here is what I have learned from hundreds of sessions with dogs:
Attention and Focus
The biggest challenge with dogs is getting them to look at the camera at the same time the humans are looking at the camera. Dogs are easily distracted — a squirrel, another dog, an interesting smell — and they operate on their own schedule. My approach is to get the family posed and ready first, then have the handler position the dog. At the moment of the shot, I use a squeaker or treat held right next to my lens. This gets the dog looking toward the camera for a split second. That split second is all I need. I shoot in burst mode during these moments, capturing 10 to 15 frames to guarantee one where everyone — including the dog — is looking and smiling.
Sitting vs. Standing
For formal family portraits, a sitting dog creates the cleanest composition. If your dog knows “sit” and “stay,” even for a few seconds, we can get beautiful group shots. However, do not stress if your dog is not the most obedient model. Standing, walking, and even mid-action shots work too. Some of my favourite dog-family images show the family walking together with the dog trotting alongside, everyone looking at each other rather than the camera. These are natural, relaxed, and full of genuine connection.
Small Dogs vs. Large Dogs
Small dogs are often held by family members, which makes positioning easier but can look stiff. I encourage families to hold their small dog naturally — the way they would at home, not like they are presenting the dog to the camera. Cradling, snuggling, letting the dog sit on a lap during a seated shot — these positions look authentic.
Large dogs present different challenges. They take up space, which means the family composition needs to accommodate them. A large dog sitting in front of the family, with the family slightly behind and above, creates a natural layered composition. Or the dog walking between the couple as they hold hands creates a beautiful, casual image.
Puppies
Puppies are adorable and absolutely chaotic. They will not sit still. They will not look at the camera. They will chew on things, jump on people, and generally do whatever they want. And that is perfect. Puppy photos should capture that energy. I lean into the chaos — a kid giggling as the puppy licks their face, the family chasing the puppy through a field, Dad holding the puppy who is squirming and loving every second. These images are joyful, energetic, and they capture a stage that goes by incredibly fast.
Your dog does not care about posed perfection. Your dog cares about being with you. The photos that capture that connection — a paw on your lap, a nose against your cheek, a tail blurred in mid-wag — those are the ones you will treasure most.
Other Pets: Cats, Rabbits, and Beyond
While dogs are the most common, I have photographed families with a variety of pets. Each comes with its own approach:
Cats
Cats are notoriously independent, which makes outdoor sessions challenging. Most cat-family sessions work best in the home environment, where the cat is comfortable and relaxed. I photograph the family with the cat in their favourite spot — on the couch, in a window sill, on someone’s lap. The results are intimate and authentic. For families who do want outdoor cat photos, a secure harness and a familiar blanket or bed help the cat feel grounded.
Rabbits and Small Animals
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets work beautifully in close-up family portraits. The kids hold them, the family gathers close, and the result is sweet and personal. I shoot these portions quickly because small animals can become stressed. Short, controlled sessions with lots of gentle handling produce the best results and keep the animal comfortable.
Multiple Pets
If you have more than one pet, we typically photograph each pet with the family separately, then attempt a group shot. Getting two dogs, three kids, and two parents all looking at the camera simultaneously is a challenge, but when it works, it is spectacular. I always get the “people only” shots first, then add pets progressively.
Multi-Pet Tip
For families with multiple dogs, bring separate handlers for each dog. During the “no pets” portion, the handlers keep the dogs occupied nearby. When it is time for pet photos, they bring one dog in at a time, then both together. This controlled approach prevents chaos and ensures everyone gets their moment.
Key Takeaways
- Exercise your dog before the session — a tired dog is a cooperative dog
- Bring high-value treats, favourite toys, and a dedicated pet handler
- Choose a location that matches your pet’s personality and energy level
- Groom your pet 2-3 days before the session, not the day of
- Burst mode and squeaker toys help capture the split-second when everyone is looking
- Embrace the chaos — authentic pet energy creates the most memorable images
- For cats and small pets, home sessions often produce the best results
Include Your Fur Baby in Your Family Photos Your pet is part of the family, and they deserve to be in the portrait. I have experience with dogs of all sizes and temperaments, plus cats, rabbits, and more. Let us plan a session that captures your whole family — fur and all. View my family session packages. Book a Pet-Friendly Session
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my dog is not well trained? That is completely fine. Most family dogs are not professional models, and I do not expect them to be. I work with your dog’s energy and personality rather than fighting against it. An excitable dog who jumps and licks creates fun, energetic images. A shy dog who stays close to their owner creates tender, intimate ones. Both are beautiful.
Should the dog be in every photo? I recommend including the dog in about a third to half of the session. We start with people-only shots while the handler keeps the dog nearby, then bring the dog in for family group shots and individual kid-and-dog moments. This way you get a variety of images — some with the full family including the dog, and some that are just the human family members.
Can aggressive or reactive dogs participate? Safety always comes first. If your dog is reactive around strangers, we can work with that. I give the dog space to get used to me before we start. We use a long lens so I am not in the dog’s personal space. In some cases, a muzzle the dog is comfortable with is appropriate. However, if your dog’s reactivity would make the session stressful for the dog or dangerous for anyone, a home session or a session with just the family (using framed photos of the dog as a prop) might be the better choice.
How do you handle it if my dog has an accident during the session? It happens, and it is completely normal. Bring bags for cleanup and maybe a towel. We pause, clean up, and continue. I never make families feel embarrassed about normal pet behaviour. Outdoor sessions make this especially easy to manage. It is just part of working with animals, and it does not affect the quality of the photos at all.
What about pet allergies in the family? If a family member has mild pet allergies, we structure the session so that pet-interaction shots happen at the end. This way, the allergy-sensitive member can participate in the main session comfortably and then join a few group shots with the pet at the end, or step out for those portions. We work around whatever your family needs.
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