🐾 5 Tips to Get Your Pet Camera-Ready for Their Portrait Session
From Bettie Scott Photography – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Dog rolling in the snow. Photo captured by Bettie Scott Photography LLC
Photographing pets isn’t just a job, it’s one of our favorite things to do.
Pets are family, and their personalities deserve to be captured just as much as ours do.
If you’re thinking about booking a pet photo session—or if one is already on the calendar—you might be wondering:
“How do I make sure my pet is actually photo-ready?”
Don’t worry—We’ve got you. Whether your dog is camera-happy or your cat would rather nap in a sunbeam,
these 5 tips will help set everyone up for a smooth, fun session filled with real moments and beautiful memories.
1. Burn Off That Extra Energy
A little playtime or a short walk before your session can go a long way.
Think of it like letting the butterflies out—especially for dogs who get extra excited in new places. A brisk walk helps your pet settle and makes them more focused during our time together.
💡 Bonus tip: Avoid an overly intense workout right before—we want a calm pet, not an exhausted one!
2. Pack Their Favorite Treats (and Maybe a Squeaky Toy)
You are officially allowed to spoil your pet for this session.
Tiny, soft, easy-to-chew treats are perfect for keeping their attention and rewarding good behavior. A favorite squeaky toy can help perk those ears,
and we’ll even make our fair share of goofy sounds behind the camera to get that perfect head tilt.
Cute dog wearing a pink sweater and pink collar. Photo captured by Bettie Scott Photography.
3. Keep Comfort in Mind (Outfits Optional)
If your pet loves a little wardrobe moment—go for it.
But if they’re not used to wearing outfits or accessories, we recommend keeping things natural. You know your pet best, and we want them to feel safe and at ease above all else.
✨ A well-fitted collar or simple bandana can add a little personality without making them uncomfortable.
4. Stay Calm and Go With the Flow
Here’s the thing: your pet feeds off your energy.
If you’re relaxed and having fun, they will be too. We never expect perfect poses—some of the best moments happen in the unexpected wiggles, licks, and curious sniff breaks.
We’ll guide you through everything. Sessions are laid-back, with lots of breaks, belly rubs, and tail wags.
5. Let Them Be Themselves
This might be the most important tip of all.
Your pet doesn’t have to sit perfectly still or smile for the camera. What we aim to capture is who they are—
whether that’s goofy and energetic, calm and cuddly, or a little bit shy.
Some of our favorite images are taken when the pet thinks the camera’s not watching. Those in-between moments? They’re magic.
Brown dog looking off camera. Photo captured by Bettie Scott Photography LLC.
Ready to Book a Session?
Whether it’s your dog, cat, bunny, or bearded dragon, we’d love to photograph the bond you share.
Our pet sessions are built on patience, love, and trust—just like our relationships with our animals.
📍 Bettie Scott Photography is based in Eau Claire, WI and serves the Chippewa Valley and surrounding areas.
You can learn more or book a session here:
👉 www.bettiescott.com/pet-photography
And if you ever want to chat about your pet’s personality or quirks before booking, just send us a message. We are always here to help.
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