How to Take Engagement Pictures with Dogs 

I know how important fur babies are to my couples. 

That’s why I’m always open to including them in your photos, whether it’s engagement pictures or your wedding day. It does take a little bit of planning, so here are some things to keep in mind for taking engagement pictures with dogs, featuring Ali, Michael, and Hank! 

The Details 

• Michael and Ali are getting married in downtown Denver in the fall. They wanted their sweet Hank to be in their engagement photos, so they brought him along for a fun day of running around in the snow. 

• A tip I always give my couples is to have totally different vibes for your engagement session and wedding day. This will give you a ton of variety when you get photos back! Since these two will be downtown in the fall for their wedding, I loved that I got to photograph them in snow up in Evergreen. 

• Ali and Michael have trained Hank to hold a beer in his mouth, which is so incredibly Colorado. We made sure to capture his special trick in their photos. 

• I just love shooting in snow, and sadly I don’t get to do much of it. It’s really hard to plan when Denver will have snow (unless we go alllll the way up into the mountains), plus people just don’t want to fuck with how cold it gets, which I totally understand. That said, snowy photos make everyone’s skin look glowy and amazing, so maybe it’s worth it. 

Tips for Taking Engagement Pictures with Dogs 

• Bring a buddy to help keep track of your pup, especially if they get anxious or excited super easily. With Ali and Michael, we were very secluded and Hank is super well trained, so we didn’t need a buddy. This is a must for wedding days though! 

• Have their fave toys and treats on hand. Taking engagement pictures with dogs can be overwhelming, so bringing these along can help with their listening skills. We also have to reward them for being good doggos! 

• Do your research! Certain parks and locations do not allow dogs for a variety of reasons, so always make sure it’s allowed before you choose a location for your engagement pictures or wedding day. 

• Make sure you have a leash. This is related to doing your research. Some places allow dogs but only if they’re leashed, so make sure you’re prepared.  

• Just like you have to stay hydrated at high elevations, so do they. Bring along a bottle of water to share and whatever type of bowl they like to drink out of.  

• Poop bags. Enough said. 

• Know your dog. If they get overwhelmed easily or aren’t comfortable around others, maybe it’s not worth the stress to include them in your engagement photos. We can definitely get creative to make it work but be honest with yourself as you think about what you want for your photos. 

Advice on how to have a dog-friendly elopement.