What to Wear for Your Pet Photography Session

May 12

3 min read

Updated: Aug 7

One of the most common questions I get before a session is some version of "I have no idea what to wear." It's a fair question. You've thought about your pet, the location, the vibe, and then you open your closet and freeze. So let's make this easy.

The good news is there are no strict rules here. I want you to show up feeling like yourself. But there are a few things worth knowing, especially if you're planning to display these photos in your home.

Two people sit on a sandy beach with a smiling dog. They're relaxed and happy, with dry grass in the background and a bright sky above.

Start With Neutrals

Woman sitting on rocks, hugging curly-haired dog at sunset on a beach. She smiles with closed eyes, creating a serene and joyful mood.

My biggest suggestion is to lean toward neutral tones. Whites, creams, tans, grays, soft blues, muted greens. These colors keep the focus on you and your pet and photograph beautifully whether you're in the studio or outside. They also tend to look timeless, which matters when you're choosing something you'll want on your wall for years.

If you love color, that's completely fine. Just think about whether it might pull attention away from the portrait itself, and take a quick look at your pet's coloring too. You don't need to match, but something that complements them rather than blends into them or fights with them will photograph best.

Patterns Are Fine, But Keep Them Subtle

Woman in striped sweater kisses a small, fluffy dog outdoors. Background shows trees and a fence, suggesting a park setting. Warm mood.

A delicate stripe or a soft floral can work really well. What tends to be distracting in photos are bold prints, large graphics, and busy patterns. They can compete with the subject and make the overall image feel cluttered. If you're drawn to a pattern, ask yourself if it reads as calm from a few feet away. If yes, you're probably good.

Logos and text are worth avoiding too. A great portrait is timeless, and a branded tee or a graphic sweatshirt can date a photo quickly.

Dress to Your Style

his is just as important as anything else. Wear something that feels like you. If you're someone who lives in linen and sundresses, wear that. If you're more of a jeans and a nice top person, that works too. When you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing, it shows in photos.

These images are going to be printed and displayed in your home. Your outfit is part of that portrait. Putting a little thought into it goes a long way.

Smiling woman, man, and a tri-color corgi lie on a white background. Both have tattooed arms and wear black shirts, creating a happy mood.

A Quick Note for Studio vs. Outdoor

If we're shooting in studio at PHILM, our standard backdrop colors are beige, white, gray (light and dark), and pink. The one thing I'd steer you away from is wearing something so close to your backdrop color that you blend right into it, otherwise neutrals work beautifully against all four.

If we're shooting outdoors, it helps to think about where we're headed. At the beach, soft blues, whites, and sandy neutrals feel right at home. At a park, with all the greenery and natural light, warm neutrals and deeper greens tend to photograph best. Either way, save anything neon or too bright for another day. It tends to pull focus from you and your pet.

A Note on Dresses

A couple in beach attire sit on a rock with two dogs, a white and a tan one, at a sandy beach. It's serene with pastel hues in the sky.

I love a dress for photos, and I encourage them. But if you're wearing a dress, I'd suggest a midi or maxi length. During your session, you'll be crouching down with your pet, sitting on the ground, and getting into all kinds of positions to interact with them at their level. A shorter dress makes all of that pretty uncomfortable, and the last thing I want is for you to be distracted by what you're wearing instead of enjoying the session.

Think About Your Shoes

Whether we're shooting at PHILM or outside, you're welcome to go barefoot or keep your shoes on. Either works. Just come prepared for both. If you're wearing shoes, make sure they're something you'd be comfortable walking, crouching, and sitting in. If you're planning to go barefoot, that's completely fine, just give yourself a quick minute beforehand to make sure your feet are photo-ready.

Corgi sits happily between two barefoot people in rolled-up jeans on a sandy beach at sunset. Ocean waves and pastel sky in the background.

If More Than One of You Is in the Photos

You don't need matching outfits, and I'd actually steer you away from that. Instead, pick two or three colors that work well together and let everyone choose something within that palette. It reads as put together in photos without looking like a uniform.

When in Doubt, Bring Options

If you can't decide between two outfits, bring them both. We can take a look at the space and the light when you arrive and figure out what makes the most sense. Having a backup is never a bad idea.

If you're still not sure, feel free to send me a photo of a couple options before your session and I'm happy to help you pick. The goal is for you to show up feeling ready, relaxed, and excited, and the right outfit is a big part of that.