“Can we have a family and dog photo shoot?” I love this question! And the answer is absolutely, always, and forever, YES! Your dog is part of your family, so of course, they belong in your photos.

As a Boston family photographer, some of my favorite sessions are the ones where they bring their dog too. Bringing your dog makes your photos feel more like you and more like the real life you live. Dogs add personality and create movement and in-between moments that end up becoming the photos you love most. 

Since 2015, I’ve photographed over 200 dogs from tiny puppies with approximately zero chill to senior pups who needed slower pacing and lots of breaks. So when I say your dog doesn’t need to be perfectly trained for this to work, I really mean it. I’ve got you and will make sure we capture beautiful family photos that represent you and your loved ones exactly as you are right now in this season of life. 

Why You Should Include Your Dog in Your Family Photos

Your dog is already part of your everyday life. They’re in the kitchen begging for food while you make breakfast for the kids. They’re curled up on the couch during family movie nights or following you around the house, somehow always directly under your feet while you’re carrying laundry (anyone relate??). Your family wouldn’t be the same without them, so it doesn’t make sense to exclude them from your Boston family photos!

One of the hardest parts about having a dog is knowing we never get enough time with them. I know this from personal experience and always wish I had taken more photos of our furry best friend, Rosie. Photos with your dog freeze this time as it is right now with them. I’m here to capture their goofy personality, head tilts when you say their favorite words, the way they jump on their hind legs for their favorite treats, and how your kids wrap their arms around them like giant stuffed animals. Those are the things you’ll want to remember forever.

Including your pup also helps your session feel more natural. Dogs bring movement and personality into a session. Instead of everyone focusing on smiling perfectly at the camera, you end up interacting with each other and your pup more organically. 

Maybe the idea of getting everyone dressed, out the door, and looking semi-put-together already feels like a small Olympic event. That’s okay. Your family and dog photo shoot does not need to be perfectly calm to be worth doing. In fact, the movement, the laughter, the treat bribery, and the little in-between moments are usually what make the photos feel the most like you. Please do not worry if your dog is not the best listener or doesn’t know all the commands. You also don’t have to worry if your toddler woke up having strong opinions on photoshoot day. I know how hard it was to get everyone to the session, and I promise it will all be worth it with the photos we capture!

Tips & Tricks for Your Family & Dog Photo Shoot

Now that I’ve convinced you to bring your dog 😉 Let’s talk about how to make your family and dog photo shoot go as smoothly as possible. The good news is you don’t need a perfectly trained dog or perfectly behaved child for good photos (see my tips for prepping your kids here!). The goal isn’t perfect behavior from your dog or your kids. The goal is to capture photos that feel like this season of your family — a little silly, a little chaotic, and perfectly imperfect. 

A little preparation can make a huge difference, though, especially when you’re including your dog in your Boston family photos, where there are multiple things that need to be managed. Here are my tried-and-true tips to help you have a successful Boston family photo shoot.

Bring a set of extra hands

This is my most important tip! Bring an extra person with you to your session. Wrangling your dog while you’re dressed nicely and trying to look good in photos is a real challenge. That’s why I recommend bringing a trusty friend or family member. They can be in charge of the leash, always ready with treats, or be wild in the background to get your pup’s attention. Plus, we won’t include your dog in every photo, so they can help walk your dog around while we focus on other family photo combinations! If you don’t have a family member or friend who can come, I love working with my girl Danielle from For the Love of Paws Boston. She is an absolute dog whisperer and offers all of my clients an exclusive discount, so reach out to her before your session!

Bring treats and a favorite toy (for both!)

Turns out the packing list for a toddler and a dog is basically identical. Snacks, a favorite toy, and something to bribe them with? Same exact strategy.

One of the easiest ways to help your dog’s photo shoot run smoothly is to make your dog comfortable with things they already love. Bring their favorite toy, squeaky ball, treats, or special snacks they don’t normally get at home. Items like this will help your dog feel more motivated to pose in photos.

Plus, if your dog has a favorite toy that they can’t part with, bring it! Some of my favorite dog photo shoot moments happen when families lean into what their dog is actually like instead of trying to get them to act perfectly. I’m always more than happy to take a photo of your dog with their favorite toy or ball!

 

Tire them out beforehand

A quick walk or a game of fetch before your session helps your dog burn off energy and be more cooperative. A slightly tired pup is much easier to manage! Plan to arrive early to your session so your dog can get familiar with the location and get their sniffs out, whether it’s a new location to them or not. Even 15 to 20 minutes of activity beforehand can make a big difference for a smooth photo shoot with your dog. A tired dog is a dog more willing to stay still!

Embrace your dog being a dog

Some dogs are natural models, and others have their own agenda. I’ve photographed so many dogs over the years, and every single one has its own little personality. Some of my favorite images are the tongue-out, mid-zoomies moments. That’s where their personality actually shines! I genuinely love photographing all their little dog quirks and promise I have endless patience when it comes to including your dog in photos!

Choose the right location for your dog

Deciding on the right location for your Boston family photos with your dog is very important. You want to make sure whichever location you choose is well-suited for your pup. Knowing the environment where your dog will do best is key! A relaxed pup makes for way better photos – trust me on this!

Here are a few examples of my favorite dog-friendly locations in Boston:

My Favorite Spots in Boston for a Family & Dog Photo Shoot

Boston Public Garden:

This location is a classic for a reason! The Boston Public Garden is an iconic location that is full of colorful flowers, weeping willows, a pond, and lush backdrops in every direction that combine nature and city perfectly. Sunrise or morning sessions are ideal here because the garden is empty and the soft light makes for great photos. If your dog likes to chase squirrels, this is not the location for you!

Beacon Hill:

Beacon Hill is one of my absolute favorite spots for a Boston dog photo shoot. The cobblestone streets and classic brick rowhouses make for the most beautiful, timeless Boston backdrop. I’ve never had a bad photo come out of Beacon Hill, ever. Every little corner of that neighborhood gives you something beautiful to work with, and the photos always turn out incredible.

Arnold Arboretum:

If you want lush, green spaces, then this is your spot. It’s peaceful and gives everyone room to stretch out. It has stunning tree-lined paths that photograph amazingly in the fall and spring, and the wide open areas mean your dog and kids have space to play! This is a great spot if your dog needs space from other dogs. Take a look at a dog session here!

Charlestown Navy Yard:

For a more modern and architecturally focused feel, the Charlestown Navy Yard is perfect. It has brick buildings for textured backdrops, waterfront views that give it some softness, and a really interesting industrial look. It’s a great option if you want something different than the typical park setting, and the harbor views make for really beautiful photos.

Boston Seaport:

The Seaport has such a cool, modern energy that is different from anywhere else in the city. It’s open and walkable, giving your pup plenty of room to roam while we capture some stunning waterfront shots. I love shooting here during golden hour when the light hits the water. It’s so good!

Blackstone Square Park:

Tucked into the South End, Blackstone Square Park is so quiet, but still in the middle of the city. Tree-lined walkways, gardens, iron fences, and lush green spaces make it feel charming and cozy without overstimulating your dog or kids. Here’s Golden Retriever, Tater Tot, at this park!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Photo Shoots in Boston

What should I wear to my family and dog photo shoot?

When you’re planning outfits for family photos with your dog, think about clothes that are comfortable, coordinated, and easy to move in. You’ll probably be walking, sitting, snuggling, holding a leash, and maybe bribing your dog with a treat or two. This is not the time for outfits that feel stiff or restricting. Neutrals, soft colors, cozy textures, and layers photograph really well in Boston, especially if we’re shooting somewhere like the Public Garden, Arnold Arboretum, or the South End.

And yes, you can accessorize your pup! Feel free to dress them in a bandana, bow tie, cute collar, etc. One of my favorite companies for accessories is The Foggy Dog. Also, your dog’s leash could be in some photos! If possible, bring a neutral leash or one that won’t distract too much from the rest of the photos. But also, if this doesn’t matter to you, that’s totally ok too! I always just like to mention that the leash could be in some photos.

What’s the best season for my family and dog photo shoot in Boston?

Every season has something going for it, and I mean that! Fall is the most popular season for a reason. The foliage around Boston and the surrounding towns is absolutely stunning, the light is warm and golden, and everyone just looks so cozy and beautiful in their autumn outfits. It books up fast, though, so if Fall is your dream, reach out early to book your Boston family photos!

Spring is such a beautiful time for a family photoshoot as well. Everything is fresh and green, the weather is mild, and there’s this really soft, pretty light that I am obsessed with. Summer sessions have a totally different energy, which is bright, fun, and full of life. And winter? Don’t count it out. I love a snowy shoot with you, your loved ones, and your pup! 

The best season is really the one that works for your family. I’ll capture the most beautiful family photos for you during whatever time of year you choose!

 

Does my dog need to be trained for my family and dog photo shoot?

Good news: your dog does not need to be perfectly trained to come to your session! Some of the best photos I’ve ever taken have come from a dog who had absolutely no interest in cooperating. Almost every dog I’ve ever photographed is on a leash during their session. I know all the tricks on how to hide the leash in the photo or how to edit it out, so do not worry if your dog isn’t the most well-behaved or trained. Their safety is most important, so we can absolutely keep them on leash at all times. 

A few things that will help with your dog is to bring a bag of their favorite treats, a familiar toy, and an extra set of hands. Having one adult who can wrangle the pup while the rest of the family focuses on the session makes a huge difference. If your dog needs a break or gets a little overwhelmed, we take them out of the frame for a little while and reset. No rush, no stress.

No matter what your dog’s personality is, I’m happy to work with them even if it’s just for one photo! I cannot wait to meet them!

Do you have tips on prepping my kids for my family and dog photo shoot?

Yes, so many! I actually wrote a whole blog post on this because it comes up so often, and I really want families to feel prepared going into their Boston family photo shoot. This blog post covers everything from what to wear, what to pack, how to time your session around nap schedules, and why a post-session bribe is always a good idea. Give it a read here — 7 Tips for Prepping Kids for a Family Photo Shoot, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions after!

Remember That Your Dog Isn’t The Star of The Show

I know! This feels so rude to say after I’ve spent this whole post convincing you they are! But your shoot is for everyone. Your family photos should involve your dog, not revolve around your dog. 

For this reason, I always build flexibility into my family sessions. We’ll usually start with full family photos while your dog’s attention span is strongest, then give them breaks throughout the session as needed. Your dog does not need to sit perfectly, look at the camera, or magically turn into a Westminster show dog for this to work. I promise!

Plus, many of my favorite images from a dog photo shoot are the unplanned, in-between moments, like when your dog is leaning against your legs looking up at you, or when your kids are petting them, or when everyone is giving your dog hugs and kisses. Those moments tell the story way better than forcing everyone into perfectly posed photos for an hour straight.

Honestly, the more relaxed you are about it, the more relaxed your dog usually becomes, too.

 

Hire a Boston Photographer for Your Family and Dog Photo Shoot

It will always be a yes from me to include your dog in your family photos! I have endless patience when it comes to your dogs and children, and I promise it will be worth it in the end! I’d love to help you plan a session that feels relaxed, candid, and true to you and your family! If you need help planning the perfect photo shoot for your family and your dog, I’m here to help every step of the way. You can view all the dogs that I’ve ever photographed in the LDP Dog Pack here, and you can inquire about booking a session with me here!