Session Guide
Inside this guide, you’ll find help tips to prepare for you pup’s portrait session!
Hey there, I’m Kimberly!
Your dog's biggest fan and proud pawparazzi (the good kind)!
At four years old, the only library books I wanted were about being a zookeeper. By twelve, I was collecting Rolling Stone covers, dreaming of being Annie Leibovitz. I've since married those two passions, and I truly love what I do.
But the real reason I do this work is Nala (that's my sassy girl there in the middle with my parents' dogs). This portrait holds even more importance now that all three of them have passed.
Loving and losing her changed me, and being on the other side of that loss, now with Teddy by my side, is exactly why I don't just want to photograph your best friend. I want to capture the portraits that instantly bring back their personality: their little quirks, the details that were only theirs.
Pretty pictures are great. But I want more than that for you.
Keepsakes that won't get lost when technology changes, and that'll make you smile years from now. Enough about me — let's get into the fun stuff and prep for our time together!
Session Day Tips
Your dog only has one job: to be a dog!
I'll take care of the rest. As long as your dog is comfortable and enjoying a fun, positive experience, we will get beautiful, personality filled portraits!
Trust that what I see is very different than what you see as a pet parent. (I know it can feel like a whole different level of chaos when you're stepping into the role of ringleader in what appears to be a three-ring circus.) The most important thing is that you relax and go with the flow. Your dog will feed off your energy.
Most people don't believe their dog will ever behave well enough, long enough, or at all for me to get good photos, and even more tell me it's also because their dog cannot go off-leash. The great news is that neither is a requirement for your session! It's completely OK if your dog isn't on her best behavior the day of our session or if she wants to show off how quickly she flunked puppy school. And don't stress if he/she isn't sitting pretty or looking at the camera in every image. (Can you say boooring?) If I need your dog to be in a certain position or spot, I'll let you know and we'll take our time and reset.
About the Ordering Appointment
About three weeks after your session, we'll meet again over Zoom for you to view your images for the first time. You'll laugh, you'll cry...OK, but seriously, it happens every time!
Together we'll view your session slideshow, choose all your favorites, view product samples, and finalize how you wish to feature them in your home.
You'll also place your order at this time.
Before you know it, the moment you've been waiting for since we first spoke is here: delivery day! Once your artwork arrives, I'll contact you to arrange a time for your artwork pickup. All wall art arrives completely ready to display throughout your home.
Most products, including fine art albums and heirloom folio boxes, can take between 10-12 weeks to arrive, but I promise the wait will be worthwhile!
“Going from obsessive ball play to posing for photos in bow ties was no easy feat. Kimberly created a safe and playful environment that supported capturing the full personalities of my pups and I. I followed her direction and trusted her experience photographing dogs. We had fun and got great snapshots that will last a lifetime. During the selection and editing process, Kimberly was communicative and quick to respond to any questions. “
~ Duke an Prince’s Mom, Kyra
Your Session Day!
It's your pup's big day!
Your session is strictly a stress-free time. Your dog will set the pace, and we'll take plenty of breaks. Don't be concerned if he doesn't want to sit or if he's more interested in the sights and smells than the camera.
I promise that even if it feels like your pup is not listening or if we need to set up a shot multiple times, it's totally fine.
In fact, I expect it and prefer personality filled portraits over “perfect.” Your pup constantly looking at the camera is absolutely not needed.
Most importantly - your job is to relax and trust that we're creating incredible images...because we are!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it rains?
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We'll try our best to hold your session at our agreed-upon date and time; however, with Chicago weather, we know that sometimes Mother Nature has other plans! If the weather doesn't cooperate, we'll definitely reschedule.
My dog can't be off-leash. Is that OK?
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Yes! Most of the dogs I photograph remain leashed throughout the entire (outdoor) session for their safety. I can even capture action shots using a special long line. Thanks to the magic of Photoshop, the leash will be removed from all final images. I'll help show you how to hold the leash during your session to make removing it a breeze during post-processing.
What about harnesses and gentle leaders; can those be Photoshopped out?
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Well, Photoshop does have its limitations. Super-bulky harnesses hide so much of the dog's chest that it's very challenging to accurately rebuild those pixels in post-production. Gentle leaders can leave unsightly shadows or pull on the dog's skin, so those are a challenge to digitally remove as well.
Because of that, harnesses, head halters/gentle leaders, etc. will not be removed and are best avoided if you don't like the look of them in your final images.
If your dog normally wears one of these for walks, I recommend using it while walking to our location, but also bringing a flat collar to use for the actual session. If you have a sighthound or other dog that can easily slip out of a flat collar, martingale collars work well and are more photogenic than harnesses.
Please, do not come collarless!
Where should we have our session?
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We can discuss possible session locations during a pre-session planning call. I have plenty of location options that I can recommend and will help you choose the perfect spot, keeping in mind both the look you'd like to create and your dog's comfort level in various situations.
Is there anything special I should know in regard to grooming?
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Your pet should be bathed and brushed a day or two prior to your session.
Brushing your pet thoroughly will help the coat to shine and remove any mats/dead hair. If he's looking a bit "scruffy" around the face, a subtle trim around the eyes will help them be visible in your final images. Wipe away eye boogies, do your best to clean up tear stains, and trim nails to an appropriate length. If your pet gets professionally groomed, make their appointment with enough time to allow the coat to grow out to the length you prefer. Nothing is more stressful than trying a new groomer or grooming products and it didn’t go as expected.
What options do I have for enjoying my images after our session?
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Kimberly Kingen Photography sessions focus on creating beautiful, heirloom-quality custom artwork of your pet through a variety of finishes and styles to suit you home. Whether you choose a large wall art piece to fill an empty space above your fireplace, a stunning fine art album filled with all of your session images, or a luxurious heirloom folio box, I'm there every step of the way to deliver a personalized experience you won't forget, natural and expressive images you'll love, and five-star artwork to last generations...without the fear of losing your memories forever to technology gone wrong.
What about digital portraits?
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Matching high-resolution files of ordered product images are gifted with product purchase(s) of $995+.
I also offer collections that includes digital portraits & print credits to give you the best of both.
For those who wish to share their portraits via social media sites, email, and personal blogs, a complimentary matching web-sized social media file of every ordered product is included. You can also purchase individual digital portraits after a $250 print purchase.
How much should I plan to spend on products?
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Because of the custom nature of photography and these products, the total amount spent from client to client varies greatly; however, most people end up wanting to purchase way more than they initially thought once they see their final images and the products. Please reference your product and design guide for detailed pricing and product information prior to your session.
What if I just want a few prints?
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You deserve to have even small prints come as a finished piece of art, which is why l'm happy to offer them in my popular heirloom folio boxes, the most beautiful way to preserve your prints and a stunning alternative to fine art albums. These come in sets of 10 or 20 matted gift prints, which can be stored for safekeeping inside your gorgeous custom-designed box, removed for you to frame and display throughout your home, or gifted to your pet's favorite people.
My boutique add-on gift print bundle and gorgeous portrait trio also present an alternative option for small prints. I am happy to discuss options on how to enjoy smaller prints of your favorite images in addition to those main event pieces at your ordering appointment.
“Kimberly is super responsive and really guides you in the location, poses, etc. without it feeling forced. She is also really understanding of how you and/or your pet prefer to be interacted with, and turns out amazing photos with very natural and easy actions/poses. We would 100% choose her to be our photographer again!”
~Lexi’s mom, SaraWhat To Wear!
Glasses
If you wear glasses, non-reflective lenses or an identical set of frames without any lenses are preferred. (Go ahead and pop'em out if you can.) | highly advise not wearing transition lenses, which become problematic as your session progresses and light changes if your session is outdoors.
Footwear and Foot Care
Don't forget about your shoes (or foot care if you'll be wearing open-toed shoes or sandals). Your dog spends a lot of time down by your feet and you'll appreciate them looking their best for photos.
Please keep in mind that some outdoor locations do require lots of walking and that the ground may be uneven, muddy, etc. For that reason, I suggest bringing shoes you can walk in and slipping into more stylish ones when the time comes.
While the focus of your session will always be on your pet, if you've chosen to be in photos with him, your clothing becomes an important detail. Choose an outfit that rings true to your style and makes you feel great!
Worried about what to wear? Shoot me an email with photos (or a few links if you're online shopping). I am happy to offer feedback and suggestions to help style your session.
The Vibe
What is your location? It is uptown urban? Rural and rustic? Your outfit should complement the atmosphere and vibe of your session while still being fun, comfortable, and stylish. I will be asking you to run, walk, squat, and play alongside your pet so choose clothing that allows you to do so without risking an awkward wardrobe malfunction.
Layers
Although your first instinct may be to dress to impress, I've found that simple works best. Layers are an easy way to add interest to your outfit. Hats, belts,scarves, jackets, jewelry, and even layered shirts photograph really well.
When accessorizing, pick one statement piece or stick to two simple and classic ones so as not to overpower you.
If you are planning to rock a hat, be mindful that it does not cast a shadow on your face. (Guys, just skip those baseball caps.)
Kimberly was super friendly and had a really positive vibe when we did our photo shoot, which put Marley at a lot of ease and allowed her to get some great shots. I really enjoyed the photo shoot overall and loved the high five photo that Kimberly got the two of us. She was also really helpful with choosing a frame option since I’m not really good at that type of thing!
~ Marley’s mom, Liz
Choosing a Collar
When choosing a collar for your session, I recommend a flat collar or a buckle collar, both of which photograph well. For sighthounds or dogs that can easily slip out of a flat collar, a martingale collar is a good alternative.
Collars should be clean and well-fitted. A collar that is appropriately sized not only helps it photograph better, but it's also crucial for keeping your dog safe during our session.
Joining in the photos? You ideally want your dog's collar to complement what you'll be wearing so choose colors that create a cohesive palette for the most flattering look. Again, dress him to match the couch.
Please limit the number of tags on your dog's collar as they can be extremely distracting in your portraits. Text or personal information will not be removed from these, so please be mindful of the tag(s) your dog wears for his session.
Please remember that harnesses will not be removed during post-processing and are best avoided if you don't like the look of them in your final images.
Session Packing List!
Be sure to bring along:
A clean, well-fitted collar and leash.
A longer lead for action shots (if you don’t have one, let me know).
Poo bags (because it happens).
High-value, irresistible treats.
Bandanas/bow ties, collar flowers, or other accessories your pet likes to wear.
Your pet's favorite toy(s), ball, frisbee, etc.
Anything special you wish to include.
Pet grooming wipes and/or a towel (especially if your dog gets frequent eye boogers and/or we’re heading to the beach).
Water (for you and your dog).
A lint brush/roller.
Comfortable shoes you can walk in.
One bag to carry everything in (because trust me, you won't want to juggle extra).
If outdoors and you want to incorporate a favorite blanket from your home, feel free to bring it. I will also have one for you to use.
