Photoshoots for dogs are one of my favorite types of portrait sessions! Your four-legged friends bring me so much joy and I love capturing their adorable little personalities for you! From their cute head tilt when you say that magic word to the twinkle in their eye when you ask them if they want a treat – your dog deserves their close-up too. If you’re planning a dog photoshoot in Boston, you might be wondering which season is best to document your pup in, and I’m giving you the full, comprehensive guide about dog photoshoots in every season! I love being a Boston dog photographer and I’m so excited to share why you should book them a session and how to choose the best season for your session! Get ready for so much doggie cuteness in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter below!  

Why Plan a Photoshoot for Your Dogs?

Aside from dog photoshoots being downright adorable, there are a few other reasons that I’ll always recommend scheduling a portrait session for your dog. 

• To make sure you have photos of ALL members of your family, two-legged and four-legged 

Your dog is a member of your family too so it’s always a yes from me to include them! Even if we only include them in a few images, it’s always worth making sure they get to make an appearance in your annual family photos. 

• To document their personality

It’s no secret that every pup has a unique personality that’s all their own and I know you love your dog’s personality so much! Capturing photos that really show off their personality is so special. You’ll be forever grateful that you captured their love for you, their adorable head tilts, and their quirky personalities. Besides capturing beautiful portraits of them looking at the camera, I also try to capture lots of candid dog personality moments in your gallery as well. 

• To capture their puppy era

If you have a puppy, they grow and change so fast! From their tiny paws, floppy ears, and wagging tail – you’ll want to document it all so you’ll never want to forget just how little they were! Planning a puppy photoshoot can be a perfect way to document that memory forever.

Quick Tips and Tricks for Planning a Photoshoot for Dogs

If the thought of getting your dog prepped for a photoshoot has you sweating, don’t worry! I promise, it doesn’t have to be stressful! Here are a few quick tips that always help my clients get ready for their dog photoshoot: 

• Bring a lot of treats (varying levels of low-value and high-value) and their favorite toys to reinforce good behavior.
• Bring water, towels, and a lint roller just in case you need them.
• Dogs will be dogs. Don’t worry if they’re not acting perfectly! The best photos will be the ones where they’re being themselves, trust me. I have endless patience when it comes to your pup so we’ll definitely get the shot even if it doesn’t feel like we’re getting anything! 

If you’re looking for a more extensive guide on how to get ready for your dog photoshoot, you can see my full guide on planning a Boston dog photoshoot here! 

Ready to see which season is the best fit for your dog photoshoot? Let’s dive in!

A Photoshoot for Dogs: Spring Edition

Spring is the season of blooming flowers and getting back outside after the cold months, especially in Boston. Now that everything is turning green again and the temperatures are warmer, this is one of my favorite times of year for dog sessions. It’s not too hot for your pup, the backgrounds are lush, and the flowers are popping! The cherry blossoms in Backbay start to bloom mid-late April and that’s always when I love to start photographing sessions outside again!

In the springtime, there are lots of locations with beautiful flowers and some of my favorites are the Public Garden, the Acton Arboretum, Beals Preserve, and the Arnold Arboretum. If you want to accessorize your pup, bringing a flower collars to accessorize your pup or a spring colored collar, bandana, or bow tie are always a good idea in my opinion!

A Photoshoot for Dogs: Summer Edition

Summer in Boston brings an amazing New England coastal summer feel and is a lovely time to schedule a photoshoot for dogs. If you want your session on the beach or near the water, then summer is perfect for you. There’s nothing more adorable than sandy paws and a sandy nose. If your dog loves to swim, we can also get some action shots of them swimming in the ocean!

Summer gives us long days, gorgeous sunsets, and warm weather which all make for perfect conditions for your dog session! Some beaches around Boston are only dog friendly certain times of the year so we’ll have to check the rules beforehand, but one of my favorite locations that is dog friendly all year is M Street Beach and it’s right in Boston. 

A Photoshoot for Dogs: Fall Edition

Boston shows off in the Fall. The colors, the leaves, the coziness of the season – it’s truly my favorite time of year to photograph dogs. The locations are endless for beautiful Fall backdrops in and around Boston and some of my favorites are the Public Garden, North Point Park, Bird Park, Acton Arboretum, and the Arnold Arboretum. I also have lots of other suggestions as well that are dog friendly and perfect for your dog photoshoot in Boston! Fall always books out the fastest (about 2 months in advance) for portrait sessions so keep that in mind when you reach out to schedule yours!

Also, don’t be afraid to accessorize your pup! Feel free to bring bandanas, bow ties, or even a pumpkin to put your pup in! One of my favorite companies is The Foggy Dog which has the cutest dog accessories! 

A Photoshoot for Dogs: Winter Edition

Dogs love snow and photographing them in one of their favorite elements is so much fun! It’s so cute to capture your dog running through the snow, catching snowballs, or decked out in Christmas accessories! I am always happy to go out in the cold in the name of a beautiful portrait of your pup! 

I especially love snowy dog sessions for bigger and fluffier breeds, who thrive in the cold weather. Tree farms always make for a great winter backdrop with or without snow and there are lots of great tree farms around Boston that are dog friendly! You can view more of my thoughts on booking your portrait session at a Christmas Tree Farm here!

How to Choose the Best Season for a Dog Photoshoot

If all these sound wonderful to you, I get it. It can feel hard to choose the best season but ultimately, every season in Boston is beautiful! I’m always here to help you choose the best time of year and location for you but here are a few helpful tips to consider when narrowing it down: 

• The location you want and how it looks in each season
• The breed of your dog and what season they thrive in

Whether you choose Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter for your dog photoshoot in Boston, you won’t regret it! Every season is gorgeous and has something different to offer in terms of the backdrop and overall feel of the images. I can’t wait to meet you and photograph your pup no matter what season you choose! 

Lauren Dobish | Boston Dog Photographer

It’s always such an honor to be trusted with capturing portraits of your furry friends! If you need help planning the perfect photoshoot for your dog, I’m here 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 to book a session with me here!