There are a few different stages to working with Marie Wulfram Photography as your pet's photographer, from the moment you reach out to inquire to the final delivery of artworks and products. This series will walk you through what each step looks like and what you can expect along the way.

In the second of this four part series, learn more about the what to expect the day of your session.

The Session

The big day is finally here! You've read all the emails, your pets are freshly groomed and you're trying to think of how early to leave without being too early (because you're just so excited to get started).

If my pet parents had tails, I don't know who's would be wagging more; theirs or their dogs.

But maybe you also have a few worries. What if the weather doesn't hold up (this is Washington after all) or what if your dog doesn't sit or stay?

And the biggest one: My dog or cat can't be off leash, can you still photograph them?

The answer, yes, absolutely!

Concerns like these are completely normal. Let's take a look at some of them in more detail.

Q: How long will the session last?

This depends on what we’re looking to create together.

On average, sessions last a little over an hour, but there’s no set time limit. This means there's no pressure and there's plenty of time for all the sniffs and zoomies that are bound to happen.

Some dogs may also need a little more time to warm up. New person, big clicky thing (camera) and maybe even a new location. That's a lot of stimulation for any pet to get used to while also being a super model!

Whatever their demeanor and personality, having no time limit means we can work with them, at their pace.

But it also depends on our end goal. Looking for just that one perfect photo for above the fireplace? We’ll design a shorter session geared towards that image you have in mind.

Want to make as many memories as possible and fill an album? Then you’re looking at that 1-1.5 hour average.

Q: What if it rains?

Being a photographer in Washington means learning to be a meteorologist as well!

I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather conditions in the days leading up to your session and even the day of. Depending on the location of your session, we may wait till as close as 2 hours prior to your session before making a final decision.

It can be helpful to have a little flexibility in your schedule to possibly shift the time of your session to account for weather. If need be, we will work together to agree on a reschedule date for your session.

Q: Can I bring my pet's favorite toy or a few bandanas/accessories?

Absolutely! Having a favorite toy or treat can really help to bring out your pet's personality and expressions as well as "bribe" them into being good models for us. If you're like most of my clients, I'm sure you've got an impressive dog closet full of bandanas and it can be fun to include some in some of the photos for a little extra flair.

Black dog holding a stuffed animal in her mouth during her dog photography session — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

Q: What will I be doing during their session?

The simple answer? Have fun and smile!

We have an assistant at most sessions with us and she’ll take care of the hard part: getting your dog to cooperate or run around with them while they zoom so they can stay safely on leash.

At some points throughout the session, I'll guide you to interact with your pet in ways that will show the bond you share and the love between you. Most often all it takes is a simple "Imagine you just came home from a long weekend away and you're just seeing them for the first time, give em all the loves".

The best part about a session with your pet is that you just have to love on them like you normally would anyway. Simple. Easy. Fun.

Q: That was so fun! When do I get to see the images?

Following your session, it's very common for your pets to sleep the whole night through. It's been fun and exciting, but exhausting. Kinda like going to Disneyland I imagine.

The very next afternoon we'll get together again, in the comfort of your own home or via Zoom, and go through the images together.

That's right. You won't have to wait even 24 hours before getting to see the gorgeous images we captured together.

Dog standing majestically in the woods by a river during his dog photography session — *Photo by* *Marie Wulfram Photography*

A few last tidbits of advice to help prep for your session.

DO:

Arrive about 10-15 minutes early for potty breaks.
Exercise your dog a little before their session.
Reach out with any and all questions.

DON'T:

Feed them too close to their session (this helps make our treats more enticing).
Force your pets to sit or stand a certain way. We'll try things but never push/force them.
Have your pet groomed the day before or day of, and no vet appointments in the same week.

In part three of this four part series, we'll dive into what the Ordering Appointment looks like and what you can expect when viewing all your images.

Head over to Part 3 here.

Are you feeling prepared for a photo session with your dog?

Let’s chat about what your special evening could look like!

Your Pet photography experience: Part 2 - The Session