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~ Make all the arrangements for our date, location, and styling ~
Getting everything ready for your session. Depending on your session & requirements, some we do, some you do. This may include:
Some things you may need to do in preparation:
Every session is different but to get the best of your photographic experience there is going to be preparations that you and that we do. Some of the preparations you might do before your photographic experience include
We’ve more extensive information on preparing for your pet photography session here. We will also discuss the preparations that you need to do prior to your session specifically at the Design Consultation.
Don’t have your dog groomed the day of the session. For many dogs this not their favourite experience so they might turn up for their photo session ‘out of sorts’. For others, even if they don’t mind the groomer, it’s an activity that can sap their energy so they arrive for their photo session, ready to sleep.
If you don’t love your dog appearance the immediately post clipping, then don’t do that the day before their session! Or tell your groomer what you are doing and ask for a longer clip than normal. With lighter coloured dogs, there skin colour may also show through coat with a recent clip.
Also on grooming, after you’ve prepared them for their stunning close up - be mindful of where you walk them or allow them off lead. You don’t want them running through mud or muck the morning of their photo session and undoing the previous day’s efforts at the groomers.
We recommend not feeding them immediately before their session and if they are fed a breakfast, reducing the amount they receive prior to their session. They are going to receive treats during the session and will be more responsive to them if they don’t already have a full belly.
Puppy Tales Photography will undertake the following preparations (as needed) for your photographic experience:
Not every space within any house will be ideal for photography. But in 98% of homes there will be somewhere that we can photograph. Ok - we’re actually guessing the percentage but there’s probably a couple of homes in existence were it’s just not ideal to photograph there. We’ve not experienced this to date.
We may need to open blinds or shutters to give us extra light, move some furniture or head into the backyard so that we can photograph in the best light available but we can make it work. Like anything that might be a concern for you in the lead up to your session, it’s best to discuss it with us prior. Together we can work out a solution or the best approach for you.
This is a frequently asked question indeed! We will talk about the what to wear at your design consultation. We also provide ideas and guidance on the website on What to Wear. If even with this you’re still not sure, lay out a couple of options, send us a photo and we can give you further guidance on this.
We can assist in arranging makeup and/or hair styling however any costs associated aren’t included in your session fee.
Things your may want to think about bringing along:
It’s far better to have packed something that we don’t end up using, than to have left something at home that you needed or would have liked to have included.
Yes! While we have treats, we don’t have every treat available. And that may mean, we won’t have your dog’s personal favourite! We definitely want for this to be a great experience for your dog/s so bring their favourite treats along.
Please let us know in advance of any allergies your dogs has. While we use treats that are safe to most dogs, we would still prefer to know and discuss this with you in advance. While it’s unlikely that anything we have will be a potential hazard, we can then triple check just to be safe.
We highly recommend grooming your dog prior to the photography session - you want them looking gorgeous for their photos. A white dog or a dog with white areas - you want for them to be white! Whether you do this yourself or seek professional services is a personal preference. We recommend organising this for a day or two prior to your session.
If you’ve not travelling with your pet in the car before, we recommend you doing this prior to on the day of their session. While most dogs are fine with car travel, if your dog is one of the few who don’t like or get car sick then they are not going to arrive feeling their best on the day.
If you know your dog doesn’t like car travel - then there are a couple of options. These include an on location session at home or within walking distance of home, arriving well in advance of your session and heading out for a walk in our neighbourhood prior. We’ll discuss the options you have and work out a plan for you at your Design Consultation.
Don’t forget your dog’s safety when travelling a car - a harness and seatbelt or a crate is going to be far safer for them than being loose in the car or on your lap.
We have lots - Kerry is often finding and buying things that she thinks will be great for photography. We don’t have much clothing or outfits though as the range of sizes we would have to have makes it difficult. Often your own props and accessories are going to be great in your photography session - they will have deeper meaning to you and your dog in the photos we capture.
For getting a dog’s attention we have a range of different squeakers, toys, clickers and noise makers. What we use will depend on your dog and what they respond to. Sometime the novelty of a particular squeaker sound will wear off but introducing another with a different squeak sound will rouse their attention again.