I’m sitting here writing this while watching my oldest dog, Lily.

We brought Lily home when Maxden, my youngest, was just six months old. He’s 10 now.

And lately, Lily is starting to show her age.

She’s moving a little slower. Her face looks a little older. There are just those little things you start noticing when a dog who has been part of your family for a long time isn’t quite as young as she used to be.

And I hate it.

We have three dogs now, and if I’m being completely transparent, we have never managed to get a family photo with all three of them.

Three boys AND three dogs? Even I have my limits. 😂

And that’s okay.

But I think watching Lily get older is also part of the reason that whenever a client asks me, “Can we bring our dog?” my answer is almost always an enthusiastic YES.

Bring the dog.

Seriously.

I’ll see a client post that they adopted a new puppy or brought home a new dog, and one of my first thoughts is, “Well, obviously we need photos!”

Because they’re part of your family, too.

And someday, you’re going to be really glad you have those photos.

But what if my dog doesn’t behave?

This is probably the biggest concern people have.

“My dog won’t sit.”

“My dog is going to be too excited.”

“My dog is going to look everywhere except at the camera.”

Welcome to photographing dogs. 😂

You do not need a perfectly trained dog to include them in your family photos. We just need a little patience, a sense of humor and a plan.

If you really want to include your dog but you’re nervous about how it will go, here are a few things that can help.

1. Bring treats!

Treats are our friend.

Bring something your dog really loves and preferably something small that we can give them several times throughout the session.

Treats can help get their attention, reward them when they do what we want and sometimes buy us those few seconds we need to get the photo.

And yes, I am absolutely above bribing your dog.

I bribe children, too. 😂

2. Come with low expectations

This might be my biggest tip.

Don’t come into your session thinking your dog needs to sit perfectly, look directly at the camera and smile in every photo.

We’re going to try.

But your dog might look away.

They might lick someone in the face.

They might decide that NOW is the perfect time to sniff every blade of grass within a 20-foot radius.

That’s okay.

Sometimes the imperfect photos end up being the ones that feel the most like your family anyway.

3. Have a backup plan

We can always try.

That doesn’t mean your dog has to participate in the entire session.

We can start with your dog and, once we have what we need, they can hang out safely in your vehicle if the weather allows. Another great option is to bring someone along who can take the dog for a walk while we finish the rest of your family photos.

This is especially helpful if you know your dog gets overstimulated or isn't going to be happy hanging around while we photograph everyone else.

The goal isn't to make the entire session about getting your dog to cooperate.

We just want them included.

4. Let me get the dog's attention

This is basically the same thing I tell parents about their kids.

Look at me.

One of the hardest things about photographing families with young children OR dogs is when everyone starts trying to help.

“LILY!”

“LOOK!”

“LILY! LILY! LILY!”

Meanwhile, everyone in the photo is looking at the dog instead of looking at me. 😂

Let me worry about getting your dog's attention.

I'll make the noises. I'll hold the treat. I'll act ridiculous.

You just keep looking at me and smiling.

That way, when your dog finally looks my way for half a second, everyone else is already ready.

They don't have to be perfect to belong in the photo

Maybe that's really the point of all of this.

Your dog doesn't need to behave perfectly.

Your kids don't need to behave perfectly.

Your family doesn't need to BE perfect.

We're documenting your family the way it is right now.

Lily was a puppy when Maxden was a baby. Now he's 10, she's getting older, and somehow an entire decade happened in between.

That's what photographs give us.

They don't stop time.

But they give us something to hold onto after it passes.

So if you've been thinking about including your dog in your next family session but you're worried they'll be too wild, won't sit still or won't cooperate...

Bring the dog.

We'll figure out the rest.