Preparing for Your Photo Shoot with Kimberly
Preparing Your Pup(s)
Prepare plenty of high-value treats: If your dog is food-motivated, bringing plenty of *special* treats you know your dog loves will help get their attention and make them more comfortable around a new person. The beginning of my session is always focused on making the pup(s) feel comfortable and doing slow introductions if needed.
Please feed a lighter meal (about 1/3) before the session : If your dog is a little hungry, they will hopefully want the treats we are offering. If they’re treat obsessed & overly hungry, it might be hard to get them to relax for our candid photos if all they’re thinking about is food. You know your pup(s) better than anyone, so use your best judgement.
Grooming: I recommend using a trusted groomer and avoid trying anything new you might not like right before our photos. If your dog typically has bangs that may cover their eyes, it's best to have that trimmed to make their eyes visible & shine in the photos.
Go with the flow: Similar to kids, the dogs often set the tone. If they need a break or would rather cuddle & give you kisses in that moment instead of looking at the camera, then that’s what we’ll do. I’m always learning, but I do try to make these sessions as low stress as possible. My best advice to you is go with the flow and just enjoy time with your pup(s). I will give gentle instruction or suggestions as needed.
Tips for Humans
Realize that you and your dog might be anxious or nervous. If possible, try not to be nervous or worried about how your dog looks. It’s best to just relax and enjoy your time together. I love to document the little moments that naturally happen so feel free to let go and soak each other in.
Try to get a good night’s sleep: Hopefully, you will feel rested and ready to go for the photoshoot!
Get coffee & breakfast, lunch, etc (whatever you need) before our session: Please try and give yourself plenty of time so you can also take care of yourself before the shoot. The better you feel, the better your shoot will go.
What to Wear - Colors, Patterns & Your Style:
My first bit of advice is to dress in clothes that you are comfortable in. When I trained for a half marathon, I remember receiving the advice not to buy a new running outfit right before the race and wear it without testing it out first. The same rule applies to a photo shoot simply because if you feel comfortable & confident, it will show. Likewise, if you aren’t, that will also come through in the photos. I may ask you to sit or stand for photos, but overall I care more about your comfort and will work to get the best photos I can, no matter what you wear.
Color:
What colors do you feel good in? Start there. I also recommend choosing colors that complement each other but don’t necessarily have to match exactly. Another tip is to avoid colors that will make you blend in with the setting of your photoshoot (wearing a lot of green if being photographed at a lush green park, for example).
Patterns:
My general rule of thumb is to avoid busy or distracting patterns or logo on clothing. The purpose of this is to bring attention to your wonderful smiling faces. Lastly, I would recommend avoiding very thin lines (common on dress shirts, skirts/dresses & tees etc.) as they often don’t photograph well.
A style that feels like you. Match your personality and your home:
While there are rules to keep in mind, I want the photos to feel like you. Part of this comes from thinking about your style and your home. I know it might seem silly to match your outfits to your home, but the end goal is that at least a few of these photos will end up displayed in your home to be enjoyed for years to come. This also applies to the location setting you choose for your photos.
What do you see when you look around your home? Bright & bold colors, or a mix of calming neutrals? Walk around your home and think about where will you display these photos. Look at the colors in each room. Do you have bright colors for furniture, etc. in those rooms or more of a neutral palette?
Be prepared: It’s always a good idea to have your clothes, treats, any accessories for your pup, etc., out at least the night before (and collar for your pup if you let them go naked at home) to have those items ready and not be rushed right before your photos taken.
What will you do with these memories: Think about what you might want to do with these photos once our session is over. This part is often overlooked. Are there certain colors in your home that you want to somewhat match with our photos? If so, this is where reviewing what you will be wearing and the location is helpful. If you’d like help, please contact Kimberly to schedule a complimentary ordering call after our session to talk through options & products.
In addition to the photos you'll have, I hope our session and the time around it becomes a special day and memory with your loved ones.