I know making the choice to be in the photographs with your pet can be difficult. Not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. There is a vulnerability there. Standing there exposed, trying to be yourself, but a stranger is watching you. Haha. I’m speaking from experience. It is certainly not my favourite thing to do. My comfort is definitely behind the camera.

But as someone who recently lost a soul dog, let me say this: you should get in the photographs. One day, those images, they will be all you have left.

The first step in choosing what to wear for your session is deciding whether you prefer a formal or casual look. From there, select a colour palette that works well together if more than one person is being photographed. You do not need to match exactly, but a coordinated palette creates clean, timeless images. If more than one person is involved, keep things simple with solid colours or subtle patterns.

If it is just you, pick your favourite outfit, something that makes you feel confident and amazing. Keep patterns to a minimum and choose solid colours whenever possible, as they photograph beautifully. Avoid wearing the same colour as your dog, especially if they are black or a darker shade, as this can cause them to blend into the image. The same goes for a white dog against a white shirt. I know this one can be a challenge since so many of us love our black wardrobe staples.

If you are concerned about your body, and we all have those areas, I get it, mid to darker colours are generally more flattering. Darker colours minimize, while lighter colours magnify. This happens because light is absorbed by darker colours and reflected by lighter ones. The human eye will naturally be drawn to the lightest or brightest part of an image.

One of the most common complaints I have heard over the years is, “I do not like my arms.” The simple fix is to cover them. Wear long sleeves. Layer a jean jacket over your sleeveless dress. The great thing about the greater Edmonton area in the spring and fall is the colder temperatures. Layers are great in a photograph. Even the summer evenings are reasonable to wear some layers for an hour. If it is an extremely hot evening... no need to worry as we will likely reschedule. Extreme heat, extreme cold and rain are all valid reasons to reschedule. 

Clothing is one of the things you need to think about, but try not to overthink it. The session is really about your connection with your dog or cat.

Hopefully this helps but if you need more information feel free to reach out to talk about your clothing options. I am here to help. You can even send me photos of your outfit ideas beforehand, and we can talk through the best options to ensure your session looks incredible.

Here are a few images to get your mind flowing around what to wear to your pets photo session. I made sure to grab a variety from the archive. Studio, outdoors, singles, couples, and families. Solid colours, layers, matching etc.  There is no right or wrong.