Yes, you can include your dog in your family photoshoot.

Within reason, obviously.

If your dog is very excited, very large, very suspicious of strangers, or believes every open space is an invitation to leave the country, we just need to plan properly. But pets are family, and for a lot of families, leaving the dog out of the photos feels a bit wrong.

I offer relaxed family photoshoots in Gauteng, and dogs can be included in selected sessions depending on the location, your family, and your dog’s personality.

Where is the best place for family photos with a dog?

At adore photography, family sessions can be done in the studio, the greenhouse or the grassfield.

If you want to include your dog, the best location depends on whether your dog is male or female, and how relaxed they are in a new space.

Female dogs can usually be brought into the studio, as long as they are calm, house-trained and comfortable indoors.

Male dogs can only be included when we shoot in the grassfield. It is not personal. It is a very practical hygiene rule.

The Grassfield works beautifully for family photos with dogs. There is more space, less pressure, and the whole thing feels more natural. Your dog can be part of the family photos without everyone trying to manage paws, tails, children and studio rules at the same time.

The greenhouse may work for some pet-friendly family photos, depending on the dog and the setup, but we will decide this when you enquire.

Tell me about your dog before the shoot

When you enquire, please tell me if you want to include your dog.

This helps me plan the session properly instead of finding out on the day that a surprise spaniel has joined the booking.

Useful things to tell me:

• Your dog’s size and breed
• Whether your dog is male or female
• Whether they are calm around children
• Whether they should stay on a lead
• Whether they are comfortable around strangers
• Whether they are nervous, reactive or very excitable
• Whether you want your dog in a few photos only or the whole session

No judgement. Dogs have personalities. Some are elegant little angels. Some arrive like a rugby team in a fur coat. Both can be worked with, but the plan will not be the same.

Can we bring our dog into the studio?

Female dogs can usually join studio family photoshoots, provided they are calm, house-trained and comfortable in an indoor studio space. If we want her on the furniture – some wet wiping of paws will be appreciated. 

Male dogs can only join family photoshoots in the Grassfield. Again, not personal. I’m sure he is lovely. My studio furniture would still like to be excluded from the experience. 

Please tell me when you enquire if you want to include your dog, and whether your dog is male or female. Then I can guide you to the best location for your session.

Should our dog be on a lead?

Yes, bring a lead from the car to the shooting spot.

Even if your dog is usually well trained, a new place, excited children, a photographer, interesting smells and family photo energy can be a lot.

If the dog is calm enough, we can remove the lead in the photos where it is safe to do so. If not, we work with it.

Safety and sanity first. Photoshop can only do so much, and it cannot retrieve a dog from across Centurion.

Bring treats, but use them wisely

Treats can help.

Bring your dog’s favourite treats, especially if they respond well to food. Small, quick treats are better than something that takes them three business days to chew.

That said, treats can also make some dogs completely lose their minds. If your dog becomes a tiny furry accountant the second snacks appear, staring only at the hand that holds the treat and ignoring every human in the photo, we may use them carefully.

A favourite toy can also help, but avoid anything too loud unless you are emotionally prepared for every child and dog to look at the squeaky duck instead of the camera.

What about kids and dogs together?

Kids and dogs together can be beautiful, but we keep it realistic.

Small children and dogs both have limited patience, strong opinions and no respect for a perfect photo plan. I do not expect them to sit politely together for ages while everyone performs like a catalogue family.

We usually aim for a few good photos with the dog, then let the session move on.

If your dog gets overstimulated or your toddler decides the dog’s lead is now a skipping rope, we pause, reset and keep going.

When should we include the dog during the session?

Usually near the beginning.

Dogs often do better while they are still fresh, alert and interested. Children are also usually more cooperative at the start before they realise this is, in fact, not a snack-based outing.

We can do the full family photo with your dog first, then a few more relaxed ones. 

This works better than trying to bring the dog in at the end when everyone is tired, the kids are done, and the dog has already mentally moved on.

What should we wear for family photos with a dog?

Keep it simple.

Soft neutrals,  cream, white, beige, olive, soft blue and gentle earthy colours usually photograph well. You do not need to match your dog, although if your dog happens to coordinate with the family palette, excellent work.

Avoid very busy patterns if you want the photos to feel clean and timeless. Family photos already include people, movement, hair, hands, children and possibly a dog tongue. The outfits do not need to add extra chaos.

Will every photo include the dog?

No, not unless you specifically want that and the dog is happy to participate.

Most families include their dog for a few special photos, then carry on with the rest of the family session. That way you get the pet included without the whole shoot revolving around whether the dog feels like sitting nicely today.

This is usually the best balance.

You get the family photo with your dog, and you also get the photos of your children, parents, siblings and everyone together without one adult whispering “sit, sit, SIT” through clenched teeth.

Can we include more than one dog?

Possibly.

It depends on the dogs, the children, the number of people, and the location. Two calm dogs are very different from two excited dogs, three toddlers and one dad who has already lost the will to live.

Tell me before you book, and I’ll let you know what will work best.

The main thing: plan it, don’t wing it

Including your dog in your family photoshoot can be lovely.

It just needs a bit of planning.

Choose the right location. Bring a lead. Pack treats. Tell me about your dog’s personality. Tell me whether your dog is male or female. Keep your expectations realistic.

Your dog does not need to behave like a trained model. They can sit, sniff, wander, lick someone’s face, look betrayed, or steal the attention for a few minutes. That is often part of what makes the photos feel like your actual family.

If you would like to include your dog in your family photoshoot in Centurion, mention it when you enquire so we can choose the best location and plan the session properly.