Pets bring personality, humor, and sometimes even a little chaos to every family portrait session. But no family is complete without them, right? If they are part of your family, they deserve to be in your family portraits, and we love when they join in. Whether your family has a new puppy with boundless energy, a sweet senior dog that just wants to be cozy, a cat that rules the home, or something more exotic, whoever you are bringing to your family portrait session, we’ll create portraits that feel calm, true-to-you, and stress-free.
At My Friend Teresa Studios, we take the pressure off you and carefully plan all the details from start to finish so you can enjoy the experience. We’ll even take the mental load off mom! We plan every detail, from choosing the perfect location to helping you prepare for the big day, so you can relax and focus on enjoying your family time – pets included!
Finding the Perfect Location
We have over 300 tried-and-true locations in the area to choose from for your family portrait session and we know all the best pet-friendly spots. Whether you have a dog or children that need space to run around, you want a city feel, or you prefer something quieter and secluded, we’ll guide you to the spot that fits your family best. If your pet is more comfortable staying home, we’ll bring the session to them. This is the best fit for cats and exotic pets but even works out well for dogs who just love to be homebodies. Home can often be the place where pets feel the most at ease.
Family portraits feel even more special when everyone is together, paws and all. These moments show all the love that makes your family complete.
Coordinate Outfits and Colors
When planning what to wear, think about your pet’s coloring and how they’ll fit into the family’s palette. For example, if your dog has darker fur, lighter outfits will help them stand out, and if your dog has lighter fur, darker tones can provide a good balance. Either way, we’ll work our magic behind the camera so that everyone looks their best, and ahead of your session, we’ll help you choose colors that complement everyone and keep the overall look cohesive.
Preparing Your Pet for Your Family Portrait Session
Pets can bring a little unpredictability to any session, and while that can be part of the fun, there are ways to help mitigate the chaos. A tired pet is a happy pet when it comes to photography. If you’re bringing the family dog with you, be sure to take them for a long walk first, so that they spend most of their energy. That way, they will be more likely to be calm for the camera! But don’t worry if your pet is always energetic, we’ll get some great family in the candid moments – whether they are having zoomies, catching a ball or being playful with your kids.
Whether at home or in the great outdoors, pets help make your family pictures authentic, telling your family story with every member of the family.
Bring Treats and Their Favorite Toy
When you’re getting everything ready for your family portrait session, remember to pack treats for your dog! A few snacks and a squeaky toy make all the difference. Treats are great for rewarding good behavior, or getting them to sit on cue, and their favorite squeaky toy can be just the thing needed to help distracted puppies look toward the camera. Fun fact: Teresa once photographed a family portrait session where the family dog actually smiled for the camera. It was adorable! But even if your pet is less accommodating, we’ll make sure they feel comfortable, at ease and we’ll make sure they get to have fun at the same time. Teresa has a knack for getting just the right reaction at just the right moment, so you can trust us to take beautiful portraits all of your family – pets included.
Be You, With Us
Including your pet in your family portraits helps to complete your collection. If your family includes a pet, why not include them in your family pictures? Family portraits that are filled with your whole family (that means your pets too!) feel authentic and true to your family story. Plus, pets help us to relax and enjoy the moment, which always leads to the most genuine smiles and memories. No matter their size or personality, they are part of what makes your family yours, and so, it’s our honor to capture them in your family pictures.
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