Can I Bring My Dog to Family Photos? | Atlanta Family Photographer

If your dog is part of your family, it makes complete sense that you would want them in your family photos. Lately, I have received more and more inquiries from families asking me the same question: “Can we bring our dog?”

The answer is absolutely yes.

As a dog friendly family photographer in Atlanta, I love when families include their pets in their sessions. Your photos should tell the story of your family as it looks right now, and for so many of us, that story includes the four-legged family member who follows us from room to room, sleeps at our feet, and somehow manages to appear in approximately 97 percent of our phone photos anyway.

Including your dog takes a little extra planning, but it does not need to make your family session stressful.

Why You Should Include Your Dog in Family Photos

Dogs become part of the rhythm of family life. Your kids grow up alongside them, they greet you at the door, join you on walks, curl up beside you on the couch, and become part of thousands of ordinary moments that eventually mean so much.

That is why I never view bringing a dog to family photos as simply adding a pet to a few pictures. We are documenting another relationship that matters to your family.

Years from now, having photographs of your children loving on the dog they grew up with can become some of the most meaningful images in your gallery.

Let Me Know About Your Dog Before Your Session

If you plan to bring your dog, tell me when we start planning your session. I want to know a little about their personality, energy level, and how comfortable they feel around new people and places.

Some dogs happily sit beside the family and look directly at me like they have been preparing for their modeling career their entire lives. Others have absolutely no interest in participating in our plans.

Both are fine.

Knowing what to expect helps me choose the best approach and make sure the location works well for your family and your dog.

Choose a Dog Friendly Location in Atlanta

Not every photography location allows pets, so we need to consider that when planning your session. If including your dog matters to you, I can help you choose a dog friendly Atlanta-area location that also gives us the light and scenery we want for your family photos.

I also recommend bringing a leash even if your dog usually listens beautifully off leash. Public spaces can introduce unfamiliar dogs, people, noises, and approximately seventeen squirrels who clearly did not receive our session itinerary.

A simple leash keeps everyone safe and gives us more control when we need it.

Bring Treats and a Few Familiar Favorites

Treats can work wonders when we need your dog’s attention for a quick family portrait. Bring something you already know they love, along with water and anything else that helps them feel comfortable.

A favorite squeaky toy can also help me get their attention when I need them looking in my direction.

You know your dog better than anyone, so think about what normally motivates them. We can use those things throughout the session without expecting your dog to perform perfectly.

Your Dog Does Not Need to Be in Every Photo

Including your dog does not mean they need to participate in the entire session.

We can photograph your whole family together first, create images of your children interacting with your dog, and then give your pup a break while we focus on the rest of the family.

If possible, bringing another adult who can hold or walk your dog for part of the session can make this incredibly easy. That gives us the freedom to include your pet in meaningful photographs without asking them to hang out with us for every single image.

Do Not Worry About Perfect Dog Behavior

The same rule I have for children applies pretty well to dogs too: I am not expecting perfection.

Your dog might look away. They might become very interested in a smell on the ground at precisely the moment everyone else looks perfect. They might decide that sitting is simply not part of their personal journey that day.

That is okay.

My family sessions focus on connection, movement, and personality. I would much rather photograph your child laughing while your dog gives them a giant kiss than spend twenty minutes trying to create one perfectly posed photograph.

Of course, I will still work toward those everyone-looking-at-the-camera portraits when we can get them. We just do not have to make the entire session depend on them.

Family Photos Should Look Like Your Family

I have spent 16 years photographing families, and one thing I know for sure is that the images people treasure most usually reflect who they actually were.

If your dog is woven into your family’s everyday life, they belong in that story too.

As your Atlanta family photographer, my job is to help create an experience where your kids can be kids, your dog can be a dog, and you can simply love on the people and pets who make your family yours.

Looking for a Dog Friendly Family Photographer in Atlanta?

If you have been putting off family photos because you were not sure whether you could bring your dog, please bring the pup!

With a little planning, we can include your dog without turning the entire session into chaos, and we can create photographs that capture the relationships you will want to remember years from now.

If you are looking for a dog friendly family photographer in Atlanta who welcomes the whole family, I would love to help you plan your session.

[Inquire about your Atlanta family photography session.]