Your pup is obviously a very important part of your family, so they should be treated like one! As a Boston dog photographer, I’m a huge fan of celebrating your dog’s birthday. I’m talking the whole deal: cake, decorations, accessories, and, yes, a photoshoot to document it all. Dog birthdays are one of my favorite ways to capture your furry friend because it’s a time for celebration, and honestly, because it’s always such an adorable shoot! Your dog deserves to have their cake and eat it too! I have photographed many dog cake smashes over the years and I think it’s time I share some of my favorite images from those celebrations! Keep reading to see my full guide about planning your dog’s birthday photoshoot.
Why You Should Celebrate Your Dog’s Birthday With a Photoshoot
Some people might think dog photoshoots are silly, but that couldn’t be further from my belief. And if you’re here, I suspect it’s not yours either! Capturing photos of your dog is as meaningful as it is precious. When you choose to schedule this type of session with me to celebrate your dog, you’ll be able to forever look back on your pup’s personality and the special bond you share with them at this particular time! Being a Boston dog photographer, I have photographed so many dogs over the years and every single one is a member of my LDP Dog Pack!
As a wedding, family, and newborn photographer, I have the honor of capturing many beautiful milestones in people’s lives. However, capturing a milestone for your pup is just as special to me! I love photographing dog cake smashes because what’s better than letting your dog eat a delicious cake from Dog Eat Cake (my favorite dog bakery) on their birthday and getting to document it all! Here are some reasons why I recommend having a photoshoot for your dog’s birthday:
- To celebrate of course! What better way to show your pup some love than celebrating their birthday in grand fashion!
- To capture them through the years and see how they grow and change when you schedule an annual birthday session
- It’s a great opportunity to have updated family photos with every member of your family, including the four-legged ones!
Dog Birthday Photoshoot Ideas
Dog birthdays give us the chance to have some fun with the setup. We can plan everything from backdrops, themes, accessories… You name it! Here are some of my favorite ideas for capturing photos for your dog’s birthday:
Get Them a Dog Birthday Cake
Okay, dogs eating a birthday cake? I cannot. It’s so cute watching them eat their cake and it’s such a special treat for your pup! I always reccommend Dogs Eat Cake for this because their cakes are 10/10. They use all-natural, human-grade ingredients, and trust me, dogs always devour them. Not to mention, the cakes are absolutely adorable and can be custom decorated for your pup!
Decorate for Their Day
Backdrops, balloons, cake stands, flowers, and banners are great ways to celebrate your furry friend because who doesn’t to celebrate in style?! I’m always down for a theme to make the celebration fun and extra special for your best furry friend!
Accessorize Your Dog
Accessorizing your pup will always be a yes for me. Some of my favorite ways to do this for a birthday themed dog photoshoot are party hats (of course!), flower crowns, bandanas, bow ties, and birthday crowns. Accessories just add to the festivities and are always so cute!
Tips for Planning Your Dog’s Birthday Photos
If you’re sitting here wondering how the heck you’ll get your dog to cooperate for a photoshoot, don’t worry! I have a full blog post with tons of details, but know that as a Boston dog photographer, I’ve got all the tricks (and treats) up my sleeve. Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know:
- Bring treats that range from low-reward to high-reward (although the cake will be a great one!)
- Bring toys to get some playful shots. Bonus points if they’re new ones as birthday gifts!
- Don’t feed your dog right before the session so that they’re extra treat-motivated
- Have them groomed beforehand for their best look
These tips will ensure that we get the best photos of your dog that really show off who they are!
Let Your Dog Be A Dog
If there’s one tip I could give you, it’s to not worry about your dog being silly, playful, or “not cooperating.” Some of the best shots we get will be when your dog is full of energy and having fun! Their eyes closed, tongue out fully enjoying their birthday cake are some of my favorite photos to capture! And if I’m honest, the outtakes are always some of my favorites because of how much personality they show.
Lauren Dobish | Boston Dog Photographer
It’s truly such a joy to capture photos of your dog. Celebrating your dog’s birthday with a photoshoot is always so much fun and I’m always here to help you plan the shoot if you need it! If you’re considering planning a dog birthday photoshoot, this is your sign. Like I said earlier, your dog deserves to have its cake and eat it too! You can inquire about booking me here and we’ll plan the perfect dog birthday photoshoot together!
See more dog blog posts while you’re here:
Everything You Need to Know About Planning Your Puppy Photoshoot
My Expert Tips and Ideas for Including a Dog at Your Wedding
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