How to Prepare for Your Pet Photography Session: 10 Tips for Getting the Best Photos

You’ve booked a professional pet photography session — exciting! Now comes the part that will help to make the best of your photo session: preparation. The best pet photographers in Australia are incredibly skilled at working with animals, but there are things you can do in the days and hours before your shoot that will dramatically improve the outcome. Here’s what Melbourne and Sydney pet owners swear by.

1. Exercise Your Dog Before the Session

This is the single most impactful thing you can do if you have a high-energy dog. Take them for a 30-45 minute walk or a run at the park before the session begins. A dog that has burned off its morning zoomies is far more likely to slow down, make eye contact, and engage with the photographer. A dog bouncing off the walls at the start of a session means the first 20 minutes are spent just settling them down — and that’s time you’re paying for.

2. Skip the Meal Immediately Before the Session

Most professional pet photographers bring high-value treats to a session — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or liver treats — to get your pet’s attention and reward good behaviour. If your dog or cat has just had a full meal, they’ll have zero interest in food-based rewards and the photographer loses their most effective tool for directing your pet. Feed them a few hours before the shoot, not immediately before.

3. Groom Your Pet the Day Before (Not the Day Of)

A freshly groomed pet looks wonderful in photos. However, grooming on the actual day of the shoot can leave a dog anxious, over-stimulated, or smelling strongly of products. Aim to groom the day before. Brush out any knots, trim around the eyes if needed, and make sure their coat is clean. On the morning of the shoot, a quick brush and a wipe of the eyes is all that’s needed.

4. Bring Their Favourite Toy or Prop

Does your dog go absolutely berserk for a tennis ball? Does your cat have a particular wand toy that makes them leap into the air? Bring it. Toys serve two purposes: they capture natural, joyful expressions (the ones you actually want on your wall), and they give the photographer a way to direct your pet’s gaze and body position. Let your photographer know about the toy in advance so they can plan around it.

5. Manage Your Own Energy

Animals are extraordinarily sensitive to their owner’s emotional state. If you arrive at the session stressed, rushed, or anxious about your pet’s behaviour, your pet will pick up on it and mirror that energy back. Take a breath. Trust your photographer — they’ve handled hundreds of animals more chaotic than yours. Your job is to be calm, positive, and playful, and your pet will follow.

6. Discuss the Location in Advance

If you’re having an outdoor shoot, make sure you and your photographer have discussed and agreed on the location before the day. Consider your pet’s temperament: a nervous dog will be overwhelmed by a busy beach on a weekend morning, while a boisterous golden retriever will be in their element there. A good Sydney or Melbourne pet photographer will have strong opinions about which locations suit which personalities — lean into their expertise.

7. Let Your Pet Sniff and Explore at the Start

Don’t expect your pet to be ‘on’ the moment you arrive at the location. Give them five to ten minutes to sniff around, mark their territory, and familiarise themselves with the environment. This is especially important in new or stimulating locations. Once your dog or cat feels comfortable in the space, they’ll be far more willing to engage with the photographer.

8. For Cats: Shoot at Home

Most professional cat photographers — and most cats — strongly prefer in-home sessions. Cats are creatures of habit and territory, and removing them from their familiar environment typically produces a stressed, wide-eyed, flat-eared cat rather than the relaxed, regal creature you actually live with. The best cat portraits in Australia are taken at home, in natural light, in the spots your cat already loves. Trust this process.

9. Be Flexible About ‘Perfect Poses’

You might have an image in your head of your pet sitting perfectly, looking straight at the camera, expression serene. The reality is that the most extraordinary pet portraits are usually the unplanned ones — the mid-leap, the curious head tilt, the full-body shake, the look of pure joy. Brief your photographer on what you love about your pet’s personality and let them capture it naturally. The results will be far better than anything staged.

10. Allow More Time Than You Think You Need

Don’t book your session the morning before a flight or a work deadline. Rushing a pet photography session is counterproductive — animals can’t be hurried, and the best photographers know when to wait. A relaxed, unhurried session where you’re fully present will produce significantly better photos than one where you’re checking your watch. Block out the time, enjoy the experience, and let your photographer do their job.

One Final Tip: Senior and Unwell Pets

If your pet is elderly, ill, or you’re concerned about the time you have left with them, don’t wait. Several of Melbourne and Sydney’s best pet photographers offer dedicated senior pet sessions and prioritise these bookings. These photographers understand the emotional weight of the occasion and approach it with great care and sensitivity. The photos you take in your pet’s final months can become among the most treasured images you’ll ever own. Reach out to a local photographer and ask about their approach — you’ll find most are deeply compassionate about this kind of work.

Ready to book? Use the city links above to find a professional pet photographer near you in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, or Perth.