COMMERCIAL DISCLOSURE: This article is part of an unpaid content partnership with Belle Lumière Foto. WeLovePetsSA does not receive commission or payment for bookings made through this article. WLPSA does not sell products or services and the booking and pricing information below is provided for reference only.
Dog photoshoot preparation isn’t about training your dog to behave like a professional model, it’s about planning around the dog you actually have. Whether yours is a camera-ready diva or an enthusiastic landshark who thinks “sit” is optional, a few simple preparation steps can turn photo day into a relaxed, personality-filled experience rather than a stressful one. This article walks through what South African pet parents need to know before booking, packing for and showing up to a dog photoshoot.
Why your dog doesn't need to be a "perfect" model
We have all seen those perfectly posed dog portraits: every strand of fur in place, ears forward and eyes fixed soulfully on the camera.
Meanwhile, your dog has just tried to eat a rock, rolled in something suspicious and decided that “sit” is merely a suggestion.
Here is the good news: your dog does not need to behave like a professional model to create photographs you will love. The best sessions are not built around perfection. They are built around preparation, patience and the relationship you already share.
Cape Town-based dog photographer Lee van Huyssteen of Belle Lumière Foto has worked with hundreds of dogs, from camera-ready divas to enthusiastic landsharks. Her advice is simple: plan for the dog you have, not the imaginary dog who follows every command when there is a cyclist, squirrel or particularly fascinating patch of grass nearby.
1. Know why you want the photographs
Before choosing outfits or locations, decide what you want the images to do.
Are they for social media, framed artwork, a family milestone, a gift or content for a pet-based business? The answer affects the location, orientation, styling and types of photographs your photographer needs to create.
If you want a large piece of wall art, a wide scenic portrait may be perfect. If you need Instagram content, tighter, personality-packed images may work better. Tell your photographer early so the session can be planned with purpose.
2. Tell the photographer about your dog
Clear communication makes sessions safer and more enjoyable.
Share the things your photographer cannot know from a photograph. Is your dog nervous around strangers? Reactive to other dogs? Frightened of loud sounds? Obsessed with balls but deeply unimpressed by biscuits? Are there places on their body they do not like being touched?
There is no judgment here. Honest information helps the photographer recommend a suitable location, allow enough time and bring the right tools.
This is also the time to read the terms and conditions and ask questions about weather, rescheduling, image delivery and what happens if life, or a sudden stomach upset, interferes.
3. Choose comfort over a pretty background
A beautiful location is useless if your dog spends the entire session overwhelmed.
A busy park may suit a confident social butterfly but be far too much for a nervous dog. A quiet trail might delight an explorer, while an older dog may be happiest at home in a favourite patch of sunlight.
Consider distractions, off-leash rules, accessibility, walking distance from the car, water and the time of day. Early morning and late afternoon usually provide gentler light and cooler conditions than midday.
And yes, your home can absolutely be a photoshoot location, even if you think it is too small, too ordinary or currently contains more dog beds than furniture.
4. Bring the useful things
You do not need to pack the entire dog cupboard, but a little preparation helps enormously.
For your dog, bring:
- A clean, well-fitting collar or harness and leash
- Regular and high-value treats already tested on your dog
- A favourite toy
- Fresh water and a portable bowl
- Poop bags
- A brush, wipes and a towel
- Any comfortable accessories you would like included
For the humans, comfortable walking shoes, water, tissues, a hairbrush and one backup clothing option can rescue a session from mud, wind or enthusiastic paws. Most importantly, bring a sense of humour.
5. Wear clothes that let you move
The goal is not to become someone else for the camera. It is to look like the best version of yourself while still being able to crouch, walk, sit and accept a full-body dog greeting.
Solid colours are generally timeless and less distracting than bold patterns. Choose colours that complement the setting rather than disappear into it. Avoid anything you would be devastated to cover in fur, drool, mud or mysterious outdoor substances.
If your dog sheds pale fur, an all-black outfit may become an art installation before the first photograph is taken.
6. Set your dog up for success
In the week before the session, keep routines familiar. Check collars and harnesses, test treats and groom only in ways your dog already tolerates.
On the day, a lighter meal may help food-motivated dogs stay interested in treats. Arrive early enough for a short sniff, toilet break and decompression after the journey.
Then release the pressure. Your dog does not need to perform. Point out their habits, expressions and quirks. Laugh, play and tell your photographer if you notice signs of stress.
The goal is not a perfect sit. It is a truthful record of your life together.
Download the free preparation guide
Lee has expanded these ideas into a free 15-page guide, My Dog Won’t Sit Like That: A Foundational Guide to Photoshoots With Your Dog. It includes advice on purpose, communication, locations, packing, wardrobe, preparation and gentle Rainbow Sessions for dogs nearing the end of their journey.
Johannesburg sessions: 24 September – 4 October 2026
Lee will be photographing in Johannesburg from 24 September to 4 October 2026. Sessions are first come, first served, with two available per weekday and four per Saturday and Sunday. Future Johannesburg trips will be by client request only.
Three session options are available, starting at R1,050. Johannesburg Uber transport is quoted separately according to the shoot location and time of day and listed on the invoice. All Johannesburg shoots have an invoiced turnaround time of eight weeks from the shoot date.
Cape Town Sessions
Belle Lumière Foto is based in Cape Town and accepts local, national and international enquiries throughout the year.
FAQ Section
Q: How do I get my dog to sit still for a photoshoot?
A: You do not need your dog to sit perfectly still. Choose a comfortable, low-distraction location, bring high-value treats and a favourite toy and let your photographer capture natural moments rather than posed stillness. Dogs who feel relaxed and unpressured almost always photograph better than dogs forced into a perfect pose.
Q: What should I bring to a dog photoshoot?
A: Pack a clean collar or harness and leash, tested treats, a favourite toy, fresh water and a portable bowl, poop bags, a brush and a towel. For yourself, bring comfortable shoes, water and a backup outfit. Most importantly, bring patience, since preparation matters far more than props.
Q: What should I wear for photos with my dog?
A: Choose solid, timeless colours that complement your setting rather than bold patterns that compete with your dog. Avoid anything you would be upset to cover in fur, mud or drool and pick clothing you can comfortably crouch, sit and move in throughout the session.
Q: How do I prepare a nervous or reactive dog for a photoshoot?
A: Tell your photographer honestly about any fears, reactivity or sensitivities before the session. This helps them choose a suitable, quieter location, allow extra time and avoid unnecessary stress. A short sniff and settle period on arrival also helps a nervous dog decompress before the camera comes out.
Q: Is a home photoshoot with my dog a good idea?
A: Yes. A familiar, comfortable environment often produces more relaxed and authentic photographs than an unfamiliar location, especially for older, anxious or less social dogs. A favourite sunny spot, a well-loved bed or even the garden can make a wonderful, low-stress backdrop for a dog photoshoot.
Lee van Huyssteen of Belle Lumière Foto
Lee van Huyssteen is a Cape Town-based dog photographer and the founder of Belle Lumière Foto. Over hundreds of sessions with dogs of every temperament, from camera-ready divas to enthusiastic landsharks. She’s developed a preparation-first approach that puts comfort ahead of perfection. Her work focuses on the nose boops, windswept adventures and wonderfully imperfect moments that make up real life with a dog.