How to Prepare for an Outdoor Pet Photography Session in Wilmington

Outdoor sessions are some of my favorites to shoot. There's something about natural light and open space that brings out a side of pets you just can't get in a studio. But they do come with a few more moving parts, and knowing what to expect ahead of time makes the whole experience better for you and your pet. Here's what I'd want you to know before we head out.

The Week Before Your Session

If your dog needs grooming, schedule it a few days before. Just like with studio sessions, longer hair around the eyes and snout can block your pet's expression in photos, so a quick trim beforehand makes a real difference. Make sure their nails are trimmed as well.

By the time you're reading this, your location will likely already be decided. If you had a specific spot in mind, I'll have already scouted it out to make sure it works. If you're open to my suggestions, I'm happy to recommend locations based on the look and feel you're going for.

Timing Your Session

For most outdoor sessions, I aim for sunrise or sunset. The light is softer, the temperatures are cooler, and the overall look of the photos tends to be much more flattering than anything shot in the middle of the day.

From May through August especially, I strongly recommend sunrise sessions. The heat in Wilmington can climb quickly, and keeping your pet comfortable and cool directly affects how they show up in photos. Overheated dogs don't want to engage, and I never want to push a pet past what's comfortable for them. We may have more flexibility at shaded park locations, but when in doubt, earlier is always better.

For both sunrise and sunset sessions, plan to arrive 15 minutes before our scheduled start time. Parking, unexpected delays, and giving your pet a moment to sniff around and settle in are all worth accounting for.

The Day Before Your Session

Stick to your pet's normal routine. A bath the day before is a great idea if you want them looking their best, but it's not required. Some light exercise the day before can help take the edge off any extra energy going into the session.

The Day Of Your Session

A morning walk before we meet is perfectly fine, just avoid a long or intense outing right before the session. You want your pet to have some energy and engagement when we start, not show up already wiped out.

Avoid feeding a full meal too close to the session. Treats are one of our best tools for getting your pet's attention, and a full stomach makes them a lot less motivated.

What to Bring

Treats: I'll have freeze dried beef liver on hand. If your pet has dietary restrictions or a treat that gets a better reaction, bring those along. The goal is attention, and whatever works best for your pet is what we'll use.

Leash: Your regular leash is perfectly fine. If you'd like photos of you walking your dog, the look of the leash matters, so keep that in mind if it's something you care about. I do carry my own short and long slip lines that I prefer to use during the shoot itself since they're much easier to edit out afterward.

A note on harnesses: I don't love them for photos, but if your pet wears one, no problem. We can keep it on while we walk around and remove it when we get to our shooting spots.

Towel: Especially for beach sessions, a towel is a good thing to have on hand for a sandy or wet dog before they get back in your car.

Clothing: The same guidelines from our what to wear post apply here. Neutrals, subtle patterns, and a midi or maxi if you're wearing a dress. You'll be crouching and moving around outside, so comfort matters just as much as the look.

What I'll Take Care Of

I'll bring treats, bug spray, and water for your pet. Come prepared to enjoy the session and let me handle the logistics.

Leashes in Photos

Outside of locations where leashes are required, whether or not your pet is leashed during the shoot is entirely up to you as their owner. I never expect a pet to be off leash, and I'd only encourage it if they have a solid recall. If we do shoot on leash, I'll guide you on how to position it so it's as easy as possible to edit out afterward. The one exception is if the leash is actively being held or gripped in the photo, in which case we'll leave it in.

Weather

I'll be keeping an eye on the forecast leading up to your session. If rain is in the picture, we'll reschedule. No need to stress about it on your end.

What Not to Worry About

Same as always: your pet doesn't need to be perfectly trained or have endless patience. I'll work at their pace and adjust the session to whatever they need. The best photos usually come from letting your pet just be themselves, and that's exactly what we're out there to capture.

Book your outdoor session here.