What to wear for pet photography
A pet photography session at Pawsh Photography is a full service experience. I cater to you and your furry family.
That means I obsess over every detail of your session, including taking time to plan your wardrobe.
I know - it can seem daunting. Planning your wardrobe for a “regular” family session is hard enough. Add a dog or two (or three) and it can feel complicated. Super dressy outfits don’t seem right, but you don’t want to look homeless either.
Before I discovered dog photography, I was a people photographer. I know what looks good in front of the camera. The most important piece of advice I can offer; You Do You! These are your portraits, after all. If you want to wear neon (even though I do not recommend) please do. You need to look and feel comfortable.
Here are some tried and true wardrobe ideas:
Neutral, coordinating colors in mid-tones. Look at your dog, or outside your front yard, for inspiration. To match or not to match? Some families love it, some don’t. Either is perfectly fine.
Mix jeans or neutral pants with a patterned top, and add a solid layer like a jacket or sweater. In the warmer months you can take off the sweater for more variety.
Fitted clothes always look sharp, and enhance all body types. Skin tight is never a good look though. If you need to add Spanx for the session, it’ll be our secret. For outdoor photos I always bring a changing tent so you have the option to change outfits (or doff the Spanx before the ride back home….)
If your session is outdoors, I recommend comfortable shoes, even if they are not as fashionable as you’d like. We will be hiking on muddy trails and standing in fields and tall grass. I am a master at hiding shoes. You can always wear trail shoes and carry your pretty photo shoes to change into when we get to our locations.
Think classic and timeless when it comes to wardrobe. Best to leave these items in the closet: athleisure, clothing with graphics or logos, hats (they leave a shadow on your face), bright colors, loud patterns, all black, all white, hoodies.
Some examples of client wardrobes are below. The first couple decided on a yellow and blue theme, to coordinate with Kylo’s collar. The second couple is wearing coordinating pastel colors, perfect for their garden photo session - note salmon color of mom’s dress picks up the rust color in Pumpernickel’s fur.
Swoon.
If you want to email or text me your wardrobe, I am happy to review it with you and provide recommended changes. I am no fashionista, but I do know what looks good in photos.
You can do this, and I am here to guide you every step of the way.
A word about pet wardrobe: if we are photographing outdoors, I require a leash and either a collar or a harness. If you want me to edit out a neutral colored collar, I can do that. I am not able to edit out a harness. If your pet usually wears a collar, I recommend keeping it on for their portraits. If we are at the studio we can take the collar off. If your pet has a collection of collars, bow ties and bandanas (and really, who doesn’t?) you are welcome to bring them along for a pet wardrobe change during the session.
