A photoshoot full of tail-wagging, fluffy snuggles, and puppy kisses? Yes please! Puppy photoshoots are my favorite! Being chosen to capture your dog as a puppy is such a joy for me as a Boston dog photographer. There are so many reasons why you should book a puppy session to capture the newest addition to your family, so grab a coffee, snuggle up with your furry friend, and keep reading for all my top tips! 

What Is a Puppy Photoshoot and Why Should You Book One?

What is a puppy photoshoot? Cue all the heart eyes emojis because it’s the cutest photo session you can ever imagine. Scheduling a puppy photoshoot is a great way to capture memories of your puppy when they’re still so tiny so you can remember their adorable-ness forever! We will focus on capturing lots of solo photos of your puppy’s adorable, goofy, clumsy, and excitable personality, plus we will take lots of photos of you with your puppy as well. 

Here are some of my top reasons for why you should book a puppy photoshoot:

• Their baby fur doesn’t last forever!

There’s something so sweet about puppy fur. Your dog won’t be this fluffy or soft forever, and believe me, you’ll want to remember it! You’ll be so glad to have these photos to look back on years from now when your dog is full-grown.

• It’s the perfect excuse to update your family photos!

Now that you have a puppy as a member of your family, you NEED updated family photos, so what better way than with a puppy photoshoot. It can be a two-in-one session so that you can show off the newest member of your crew, too! We will do lots of puppy snuggling, kissing, and so many other poses in between to capture the cutest new family photos for you.

• They grow up way too fast!

Before you know it, your dog won’t even look like a puppy anymore, and it happens right before your very eyes. They grow so quickly in those beginning months! While you’re so busy with potty training and creating a whole new routine with your dog, they’ll be growing into an adult dog! Even though it feels like it lasts forever, their puppy energy will start to mellow out so before it does, you’ll want to have those puppy moments documented to look back on! Even if you don’t believe it now, you’ll miss that energy one day! 

Tips for Planning Your Puppy Photoshoot

I know what you’re thinking: your furry friend is SO energetic, there’s no way they’ll behave well enough for a puppy photoshoot. Don’t worry! As a Boston dog photographer, I’ve seen it all! I have several tricks up my sleeve for a smooth and stress-free session to make sure we capture all those adorable photos you’re dreaming of having with your puppy. 

What to Bring to Your Puppy Photoshoot

• Lots of treats! We can use them to help your dog to look at the camera. Whatever they like most is great: cheese, peanut butter, hot dogs, your choice but bring a variety in case they get bored of one of them!
• Water to keep your puppy hydrated and comfortable.
• A towel if your dog is a breed that tends to drool heavily!
• Your puppy’s favorite toys so that we can get some of those adorable action shots. 
• A cute collar because it will be in all the photos. 
• Any accessory (bandanas, bow ties, baskets, balloons, etc) if you want to!

Lastly, we can keep your puppy on a leash at ALL times! Don’t worry, it will not show in any of the photos and I’ll give you instructions on the best way to hold the leash so I can edit it out later! I know my dog photos look like every dog is incredibly well-behaved, but I promise you almost every single one of those photos has a leash edited out of it! I just create the illusion that they’re off-leash in my editing process.

A Boston Dog Photographer Tip: Don’t Worry About Perfection

The whole point of this session is to capture your pup’s personality, so don’t fret too much about them not sitting perfectly still or looking right at the camera! Some of the best, cutest shots are the ones where they’re totally doing their own thing with their full personality on display! I promise I have endless patience when it comes to capturing dog photos, so don’t every worry about me! I’m also the queen of “one more time” to make sure we get the shot!

Where to Take Puppy Photos

Living in Boston, there are endless good places to have your puppy photoshoot. I do love studio dog sessions but outdoor puppy photoshoots are my favorite because it gives them more room to run and play. Here are some of my favorite and most used locations!

• Beacon Hill – this location has the cutest cobblestone streets and a quintessential Boston vibe!

• The beach – this is perfect for all of you who love the New England coastal vibe as your backdrop! Plus nine times out of ten, puppies love running around in the sand and the water so we can get some cute sandy photos. 

• The Seaport – this is my favorite location for gorgeous city views and the Boston skyline is a beautiful backdrop every time!

• Your own backyard – your puppy will be the most comfortable here, and you won’t have to worry about all the fuss of packing up all the items you need. This is always a sentimental location choice!

When You Should Book Your Puppy Photoshoot

The best time to schedule your puppy photoshoot is within the first few months of your pup’s life; that’s when the floppy ears, soft fur, and puppy clumsiness are at their peak! This allows us to capture those adorable puppy pictures before they get too big. If you’re bringing home a new puppy soon, reach out to schedule a session with me now to make sure I’ll be available once you bring home your new furry friend!

Puppy Photoshoot Ideas

If you can’t tell, I seriously LOVE puppy photoshoots. If you’re looking for ideas to incorporate into your session, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorites: 

• Puppies in baskets: Because seriously, is there anything cuter?!

• Accessorized puppies: Think bows, bandanas, flower collars, etc. My favorite company for bows, collars, leashes, and bandanas is The Foggy Dog. If you’re looking for flower collars, reach out to your local florist!

• Seasonal photoshoots: A themed photoshoot with the overall vibe of the current season? It’s always a yes from me! For Fall, think leaves, pumpkins, flannel bandanas, and bow ties. For Christmas, think tree farm, wreath, holiday-themed bandanas, and bow ties!

Lauren Dobish | Boston Dog Photographer

Puppy photoshoots bring me so much joy, and I would love the honor of capturing your pup’s glamour shots! You can see all the dogs I’ve ever photographed here. You can also view my top tips for dog photoshoots here, and you can inquire about booking me for your puppy photoshoot here. I can’t wait to meet you and your furry best friends!