This page covers photographers who portray your companion animals, a dog, a cat, a horse or another pet, on their own or with you; it is not about wildlife photography. Choose a photographer who has already photographed animals comparable to yours, then plan with them the place, the pace and who will look after the animal.
A photographer used to comparable animals
An indoor cat, an energetic young dog and a horse are not photographed the same way. The best clue is a complete series with an animal close to yours in species, size or character.
- Species and size
- does the portfolio show animals comparable to yours?
- Attitude
- do the animals look relaxed, or restrained in the images?
- Movement
- does the photographer succeed with action shots as well as posed portraits?
- With their people
- have you seen series where the animal poses with its family?
- Places
- does their work outdoors, at home or in a studio match your project?
If people are at the centre of the images and the animal is one family member among others, also look at family photographers. For a session for two with your animal, couple photographers may suit.
Temperament, handlers and mobility
Your animal's temperament shapes how the session runs. Describe it honestly to the photographer: they will adapt the place, the length and the way they approach your animal.
Temperament
Say whether your animal is shy, very active, or reacts to other animals, noises or strangers. An anxious animal needs time to get used to the photographer before the first images.
Who handles the animal
During the session, it is usually you, or someone the animal knows, who holds it, calls it and rewards it. Agree with the photographer on who does what, and on what is allowed: treats, toys, whether the lead may be visible.
Mobility and age
An older animal, one recovering, or one that moves less easily needs a short, quiet session with little travel. Tell the photographer so they plan a nearby place and a suitable pace.
Ask the quote to state: time on site, the number of animals and people photographed, the place, the photographer's travel and the finished images.
The place and your animal's welfare
The right place is where your animal is at ease and safe. At home, it keeps its bearings; outdoors, it can move freely, as long as the place allows it.
At home, outdoors or in a studio
At home, light and space matter: a few photos of the rooms help the photographer prepare. Outdoors, check the place's rules, such as leads being required, and whether there are other animals or traffic. In a studio, ask whether it suits your animal's species and size.
Welfare during the session
Bring water, plan breaks and give the animal time to explore the place. No image is worth forcing a pose or stretching the session if the animal shows signs of stress: you can stop at any time.
Sample brief: a shy dog in the park
A written brief lets you compare photographers' proposals on the same project. This one is a fictional example to adapt, not a client case or a standard package.
- Animal
- a medium-sized dog, adopted as an adult, shy with strangers but calm with her family.
- Who joins
- the dog alone, then with her two owners for a few images.
- Place
- a park near home that she knows, outside busy hours.
- Flow
- a get-to-know-you walk before the first images, breaks, and a total length set with the photographer.
- Handlers
- the owners hold the lead and give the treats; the photographer does not approach the dog without their agreement.
- Deliverables
- a selection of finished images and how they are delivered, to be set in the quote.
- Publication
- published by the photographer only with your agreement.
This example is for comparing offers on the same scope. If you add a second animal or another place, list it as an extra request.
Comparing offers and booking
The price of a session with an animal varies with length, number of animals, place, travel, retouching and deliverables. To compare two photographers, send them the same brief and check that each proposal states the length, the finished images, their timing and the rescheduling terms.
Before booking, check:
- the animal or animals involved, and who will be there;
- the place, its rules and the fallback;
- who looks after the animal during the session;
- the images delivered, how they are selected and when;
- your publication preferences.
Enter the city and date in the search, or browse the cities listed below. On a photographer's profile, look through their series and packages, at a fixed price or on quote, and send them a message to check they photograph animals like yours. Then choose the package closest to your brief, the date, time and place, and add your brief to the booking request. If they accept, the photographer sends you a contract drawn up from the booking, which you sign online before they do. Graindevue does not use price as a ranking criterion.
Frequently asked questions
My dog does not always obey. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Describe their behaviour to the photographer and choose a safe place, fenced if needed. A photographer used to dogs works with their energy rather than against it.
Can you photograph a cat or an animal that does not go outside?
Yes, often at home, where it has its bearings. Ask the photographer whether they have photographed cats or similar animals before, and look at their series.
Can we be in the photos with our animal?
Yes, if you wish. Tell the photographer so they plan images with you and someone else can hold the animal if needed.