What Happens on a Dog Photoshoot?

As a smitten dog owner of our beloved four-year-old Fox Red Labrador, Skyla, Carl is no different from any other dog owner responsible for their own four-legged bundle of chaos and joy. Our dogs bring us endless happiness, companionship, and absolute unconditional love.

It was inevitable that as a photographer, Carl would document Skyla’s life on her own Instagram page @skylafoxred. But surprisingly, she also became the inspiration for channelling his professional dog photography experience into creating Dogs By Carl—a unique fine art dog photography service.

One of the most common questions we’re asked is: What happens on a dog photoshoot? or What should I expect from a dog photography session? So, we thought this would be the perfect topic for our opening blog post, giving you an in-depth look at our process and just how much fun it is!

The Consultation

We start with a pre-shoot consultation.

We want you and your dog to have the best possible experience, and we take your dog’s welfare seriously. If you choose to begin your dog photography journey with Dogs by Carl, here’s how it works:

The pre-shoot consultation is free, and there’s no commitment at this stage.
Carl will guide you every step of the way, getting to know your dog’s personality and quirks while making notes to tailor the dog photoshoot perfectly.
You’ll discuss potential dates, preferred locations for the shoot (outdoors or in the studio), and the style of fine art dog portraits you’re looking for.
Carl will answer any questions to ensure the session and final images exceed your expectations.

You’re welcome to make a decision straight away, or you can take some time to think it through.

The Shoot

Once you’ve decided to have your dog photographed, we’ll walk you through what to expect on the day.

Every dog has their favourite place, whether it’s the urban streets, a local park, the comfort of your home, or even the garden. Based on your consultation, the perfect location will have already been agreed upon.

Wherever the shoot takes place, Carl will take his time to let your dog familiarise themselves with the camera and feel at ease with both him and the surroundings.

No need to worry about time constraints or your dog needing to nail the perfect pose straight away! Dogs can even stay on the lead if necessary, as these can be easily removed during retouching.

Once the session is complete, Carl uses his expert retouching skills to give every portrait that extra polish and wow factor.

The Photography Sessions

Outdoor Dog Photography

An outdoor session tailored to your preferences. Whether you want a serene forest glade or a gritty urban backdrop, Carl will make your dog the star of the scene. Using professional lenses, the background can softly blur to let your dog take centre stage, while the atmosphere still enhances the portrait. Post-production will perfect every detail.

Skyla - Our Fox Red Labrador in an outdoor dog photoshoot captured by Dogs by Carl.

Studio Dog Photography

A classic studio session with controlled lighting and a simple background. We can adjust the background to any colour or tone you prefer during post-production. You’re welcome to come to our studio, or for a small additional cost, we can bring a portable studio setup to your home.

Donny “The Don” The French Bulldog captured by Carl in a studio lighting environment.

The Elite Package

This is the ultimate combination: a location shoot plus a studio session. Clients love this package because it allows for more variety, making it perfect for a three-frame wall display showcasing your dog’s unique expressions and movements.

Preserving the Memories

After the shoot, Carl will carefully curate the best images from your dog photoshoot and provide a range of options. He’ll guide you through the selection process, offering advice on which images will work best.

Once your favourites are chosen, the images will be professionally edited, graded, and enhanced to bring out the unique personality of your dog in each photograph.

But it doesn’t stop there! We’ll show you how your chosen images would look in different frames, print processes, and sizes.

For more details about our dog photography services, feel free to check our website. You can also drop us an email at hello@dogsbycarl.com or send a DM on Instagram at @dogs.by.carl.

We’d love for you to be part of our growing collection of happy dogs and families. Let’s celebrate your dog with timeless, fine art portraits that you’ll treasure forever.

WHAT HAPPENS ON A DOG SHOOT?