What to Expect at a Dog Photography Session in Fleet, Hampshire

Wondering what happens at a professional dog photography session? From booking and arriving at our Fleet studio to the shoot, editing and finished gallery, here’s exactly what to expect.

If you’ve never booked a professional dog photography session before, you might be wondering what actually happens.

Will your dog need to sit perfectly? What if they won’t stay still? What should you bring? How long does it all take? And what happens after the session?

The good news is that a Pawtraits session is designed to be relaxed, simple and completely centred around your dog.

I photograph dogs at my studio in Fleet, Hampshire, and my approach is very much dog-led. Some dogs walk in as if they own the place. Others need a bit more time to sniff, explore and decide that I’m not actually that scary.

Both are absolutely fine.

Here’s what you can expect from the moment you book through to receiving your finished gallery.

Step 1: Booking Your Session

Once you choose your session and book, you’ll receive all the information you need before coming to the studio.

You don’t need to spend days teaching your dog new tricks or worrying about whether they’ll behave perfectly.

In fact, one of the most common things I hear from owners is:

“I don’t know how you’re going to photograph mine, they never sit still!”

Honestly, that’s completely normal.

Dogs don’t need to sit beautifully on command to create a lovely portrait. Part of my job is working around their personality, energy levels and attention span.

If your dog is particularly nervous, anxious or fearful, you’re also welcome to arrange a meet-and-greet at the studio beforehand so they can experience the space without the pressure of having their photograph taken.

Step 2: Arriving at the Studio

Pawtraits sessions take place at my studio in Fleet, Hampshire, with free parking available behind the building.

When you arrive, I don’t expect your dog to immediately walk onto the backdrop and pose.

We give them time.

They can have a sniff around, meet me, investigate the studio and get comfortable with their surroundings.

For some dogs this takes a couple of minutes.

For others, it takes longer.

There’s no rush.

I’ve spent years working with dogs and previously ran my own dog walking, daycare and boarding business, so I’m very used to reading their body language and adapting to the dog in front of me.

Step 3: We Start Slowly

Once your dog is settled, we’ll gradually start taking photographs.

There might be treats.

There might be toys.

There may be squeaky noises, strange sounds and occasionally a human standing just out of frame doing something completely ridiculous to get the perfect expression!

Every dog is different, so I simply work out what gets their attention.

Some dogs respond beautifully to food.

Others love a ball.

Some are fascinated by noises.

And some simply need patience.

There is no rigid formula.

“But My Dog Won’t Sit Still!”

That really isn’t a problem.

Your dog does not need to sit perfectly throughout the session.

We work in small bursts and use the moments they naturally give us.

Sometimes the photograph that looks calm and perfectly posed was actually captured in the split second between a dog wandering around, sniffing the floor and looking for another treat.

That’s part of the fun.

My job is to capture those tiny moments.

What If My Dog Is Nervous?

This is something I feel particularly strongly about.

A nervous dog should never be forced into a situation simply for the sake of a photograph.

If your dog needs to stay close to you initially, that’s fine.

If they need breaks, we take breaks.

If they need extra time to explore, they get extra time.

And if we need to change how we approach the session altogether, we do.

The aim is for your dog to feel safe and comfortable — not to force them into being a perfect studio model.

During the Shoot

Throughout the session I’ll guide you on what I need you to do.

Sometimes that means standing beside me with a treat.

Sometimes you might help position your dog.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to make a noise from behind the camera.

And sometimes your main job is simply to stand back while your dog and I work things out together.

You don’t need any photography experience or special dog-handling skills.

We’ll take care of it together.

After the Session

Once the shoot is finished, I go through the photographs and select the strongest images from the session.

This is where the second part of the process begins.

Each selected image is carefully edited to create the finished Pawtraits look.

That can include adjustments to lighting, colour and contrast, tidying distracting elements and bringing attention back to the most important part of the photograph — your dog.

The aim isn’t to make them look artificial.

It’s to create a polished portrait that still looks completely like them.

Your Finished Gallery

Once your photographs are ready, you’ll receive access to your private online gallery.

You can view the finished images from home, choose your favourites and download the images included with your session.

Depending on your session, you may also have the option to purchase additional photographs or the full gallery if you fall in love with more images than expected.

Which, admittedly, does happen quite a lot!

What Should You Bring?

You really don’t need very much.

A few useful things to bring are:

• Your dog’s favourite treats

• A favourite toy if they have one

• Their usual lead and collar

• Anything that helps them feel comfortable

• A little patience

Most importantly, bring your dog exactly as they are.

They don’t need to be perfectly trained.

They don’t need to know ten commands.

And they definitely don’t need modelling experience.

A Photography Session Built Around Your Dog

For me, dog photography isn’t about forcing every dog into exactly the same pose.

The best photographs come when you allow their personality to show through.

Sometimes that means a perfectly posed portrait.

Sometimes it’s a head tilt.

Sometimes it’s an enormous tongue hanging out.

Sometimes it’s that expression their owner instantly recognises as so them.

That’s what I’m looking for.

Thinking About Booking a Dog Photography Session in Fleet?

Pawtraits by Kelly offers relaxed, dog-led studio photography in Fleet, Hampshire.

I work with dogs of all personalities and particularly enjoy working with nervous, anxious and fearful dogs who may need a little more patience.

If you’re unsure whether a studio session would suit your dog, get in touch.

You’re always welcome to ask questions before booking, and nervous dogs can arrange a meet-and-greet at the studio first.

I’d love to meet you — and, more importantly, your dog.