When Rachel and Steven decided to celebrate their wedding journey with an engagement session, they knew they wanted to make it truly special. What better way to capture their journey into forever than by including their baby, Ivy, in the fun? And boy, were the conditions pawsitively perfect for this sweet trio’s session (I’m sorry! I couldn’t resist!).
It was a perfect, sun-kissed summer evening in Chicago and we began our adventure at one of my all-time favorite Chicago historic wedding venues, Lincoln Park’s incredible Cafe Brauer. After exploring Lincoln Park South Pond, the three of us headed over to North Avenue Beach to catch the sunset over the skyline.
Now, these guys completely rocked their shoot and it got me thinking. There are several things you can to prepare for your engagement session with your dog that will ensure the result are images that you will love for a lifetime. After working with dozens of puppies on photo shoots, I’ve compiled my top five tips to help you prep. So read on!
Tip One: Bring along a dog wrangler!
This one is definitely my top tip! Bring along a friend/parent/maid-of-honor/neighbor to babysit your pup when they’re not in front of the camera. While you definitely want some sweet family pics with your pooch, chances are you also want some epic portraits of just the two of you. I recommend we start the shoot with your dog before handing them off to your wrangler so the three of us can create gorgeous art together, hands-free!
Tip Two: Bring your pup’s favorite treats and/or toy.
Let’s be honest. We can all be pacified with the promise of our favorite treats. Bringing something enticing along can help make sure your pup plays nice (i.e. looks at the camera, sits and stays, etc). Just bring a little bag of something delicious for your puppy and I’ll do the rest!
Tip Three: Feel free to bring props.
A cute little bandana, a little bow, flower crown, tuxedo. I’ve seen it all and they’re all adorable! Feel free to get creative and let your dog’s personality steal the show!
Tip Four: Think about the leash and collar.
One detail that’s often overlooked is the actual leash/collar. While a harness style leash might be practical, it tends to distract from the adorableness of your dog (and can be unsightly in photos!). I’d recommend opting for a sleek leash that won’t steal any attention from you three. Same goes for the collar. And - I feel I shouldn’t have to say this but - please makes sure that poo bags don’t make a cameo! Unattach and stash those bad boys unless nature calls and they need to be put to use!
Tip Five: Don’t stress. We’ll let your pooch lead the way!
Animals are unpredictable sometimes, especially when they’re in a new environment around new people. Don’t sweat it! We will keep the vibe fun and light and will ensure that we capture what makes your dog so loveable. Whether your dog has been professionally trained or they’re a wild rescue who loves to explore, we will work with whatever your pooch throws at us and it will be fabulous!
