From Muddy Paws to Professional Portraits: How to Prep Your Pet for the Spotlight

Whether you’ve booked a glamorous studio session or you are bringing your pup to an animal rescue photo fundraiser event, I want your pet to look pawsitively adorable when it’s their time to shine in front of my camera. That means a little prep goes a long way.

If you’re a new client, keep an eye on your mailbox. I send out a New Client Package filled with answers to your questions, plus a few goodies from some of my favorite partnering pet businesses. Tucked inside is one special brochure: “How to Prepare for Your Pet’s Portrait Session.” It’s packed with helpful tips to make the experience fun and photo ready.

I’ve pulled together my top pointers right here. Ready to roll out the red carpet for your pup or kitty? Let’s make picture day feel like a treat!

1. FUR REAL - Brush It, Buff It, Bring the Fluff

   You’ve heard me say it a thousand times—photos don’t smell, but they sure do show everything! Ideally, your pet’s photo session should land within a week of grooming. But hey, we all know that juggling your schedule, the groomer’s availability, and mine is like wrangling a room full of kittens. So, we get creative! If the timing doesn’t work out perfectly, no worries—just give your pet a little TLC before their big moment.

   
   

   Muddy paws? Green paws from a grass romp or post-rain parade? A quick PAW rinse and solid brush will do wonders. Short-haired pets still need love—give ‘em a gentle buff to bring out that smooth, camera-ready shine. Black coated beauties, beware of those sneaky white flakes. They love to photobomb closeups. Whether your pet’s rocking curls, fluff, or sleek elegance, a good brushing makes all the difference when it’s time to strike a pose. FUR REAL!

   
   

2. Pupper Boogers

   These uninvited guests love to crash glamour sessions when you least expect it. One moment your little angel is posing her fluff bum off, and the next—bam! A mysterious blob appears right between those twinkly eyes.

   
   

   I do my best to catch them mid-session (photographically and literally). If you’ve got a booger-prone love bug, just give me a heads-up. We’ll keep a close watch, tissues in hand, and laugh through the slime. Because boogers may be bold, but they’re no match for a fabulous pet portrait.

   
   

3. A Touch of Gold - Let's Talk Pet Staining

   If you have a white pet, you have probably encountered staining. Eye stains, mouth stains, paw stains. Here's a little personal secret: I picked out my white doodle because she had a little apricot around her mouth and paws. So her's is natural. Your pup may not be so fortunate. You may not even notice it because you are used to it.

   
   

   If your pet has staining, you won’t be able to wash it off—and that’s okay. Don’t stress! That’s where my Photoshop skills come in. I don’t wipe out every trace of gold or yellow. Instead, I soften it just enough to reduce the bold brassiness, without losing what’s natural. I’ve got an eye for what looks authentic, and I’ll make sure your portrait is picture-perfect with just the right amount of glow-up.

   
   

4. Collars and Tags & the Info You Forgot You Shared

   If you’re like me, your dog’s collar gets dirty and crusty faster than you notice—especially when they’ve rolled through who knows what in the backyard. When it’s time for photos, guess what’s front and center? That worn-out collar and a tag displaying your personal info loud and proud.

   
   

   I blur what I can in editing, but I photograph so many animals that I can’t always catch every tag. So let’s play it smart: grab a clean collar if you’ve got one. Or my favorite hack, pop on a bandana!  Not only do they hide dirty collars and protect your privacy, they look adorable in portraits. Little personal secret? I’ve started sewing my own! They may not be perfect yet, but I promise—they photograph beautifully.

   
   

5. Hunger Games

   I like pups to be just a little hungry at sessions. Why? Because treats make magic happen! I’m armed with some seriously high-value goodies that get tails wagging and ears perking. Think meaty treats, turkey, chicken, cheese, Kong PB, freshly cooked hamburger, and yes... even freshly cooked bacon.

   
   

   If your pet has a special diet, please let me know in advance—I’ll tailor accordingly. That said, please feed them their normal meals. We're going for treat-motivated, not HANGRY WOOFS! Save the bribes (and the bacon) for portrait time, not breakfast at home. A pup who is a little hungry is a lot photogenic - that's the secret sauce for a sweet session.

   
   

6. Hamming it Up for the Camera

   Does your pet have show-stopping moves like a fancy paw shake, a dramatic sit-up pretty, or the coveted catch the treat mid-air moment? I’m always game to try and capture those talents! But let’s be honest: pets call the shots, and we go with the flow of what they’re willing to share that day. No guarantees, just good intentions and a whole lot of enthusiasm!

   
   

   Here’s your photographer's tip of the day: eye contact is everything.  If your pup won’t listen to me (and believe me, I’ve met a few four-legged divas), I may need you to crouch behind me! To get pups with funny, goofy wide wide-eyed expressions, I need to be the one to throw the treat. They need to look in the direction of the camera. I know I look awkward holding a camera, moving and throwing the treats...but it works.

   
   

7. Wiggle Butts

   Got a wiggle butt that won’t sit still or listen? Don’t worry!!! I photograph real pets, not runway models. Most of my furry clients would rather do zoomies than strike a pose. That’s just fine by me. It shows their personality. If your pup DOES sit pretty on cue, well, hallelujah and let’s roll with it! But the truth is, obedience is for their safety (among many other things), not for getting the perfect shot.

   
   

   Here’s your pro tip: all dogs stay leashed. I edit leashes out in 99% of my photos, so they won’t cramp your style. All I need is a split-second glance, a twitch of the ear, or that flash of personality toward my lens. My camera is lightning-fast and I’ve got patience to the moon & back. So let your wiggle butt WIGGLE, and I’ll catch the sparkle.

   
   

8. Energy - Run Forest Run

   Got yourself an excited, high-energy pup? You’re not alone!

   
   

   Before portraits, let them burn off a bit of that bounce. I’m not talking a marathon, just a good walk, some fetch in the yard, or even a visit to their favorite pet-friendly store (Hollywood Feed, Tractor Supply, or Lowe's can do the trick!). Some dogs tire out just from exploring a new place.

   
   

   Here’s the scoop: a tired dog is a cooperative dog. I don’t want your pup arriving with their tongue flopped out and desperate for the water bowl—but a little pre-session activity goes a long way. Once we start, I’ll use treats, silly sounds, and an extra sparkly voice to catch their attention. By the time the last photo’s snapped, your dog may just be snoring on the ride home.

   
   

9. Harness the Glam

   Let’s talk harnesses. Some pets need them, some just love them, but either way—if your pup wears a harness during their shoot, it’s going to show up in the photos. Unlike leashes, which I can edit out about 99% of the time, harnesses cover a wide area. I won’t attempt to edit them out, and here’s why: I have no way of knowing what’s underneath. Your black beauty might be hiding a surprise white patch, and I’m not about to guess and digitally paint mystery fur.

   
   

   So here’s the deal: if you want a cleaner look, consider removing the harness just for the portrait moments. If that’s not an option, no worries! Just know it’ll be a part of your pup’s glam look. Harness and all, we’ll still capture that charm and that tail-wagging personality that makes your pet picture perfect.

   
   

10. Paws for Patience

    Let’s be real—most pets aren’t lining up to win obedience medals, and that’s just fine by me. My studio celebrates REAL animals with REAL personalities.  Some are trained, some have “selective hearing,” and some are just here for the treats. We pause when needed, pivot when they get distracted, and roll with the wiggles and zoomies. The secret ingredient? Patience. Served with a side of bacon.

    
    

    Dogs have that God-given superpower: a nose that sniffs out everything. When they bop up to me, my assistant, the modeling stool, the gear… It's like a scent party. Some get so excited, the zoomies hit right there in the studio—or at events! That’s perfectly okay. We work with each dog’s pace, needs, and quirks. Some take longer, some wrap up fast. We (Me and all of my assistants) have a ton of patience and many years of dog experience.

    
    

    

    Studio Pet Photography, Professional Dog Photography, Dog Birthday Pawty

    
    

    ©SandraFergusonPhotography

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