on-location Preparation Guide
Your home or special location
Preparing for your on-location experience
Your on-location photography experience takes place during the final hour before sunset, when the light is soft, warm, and gentle. This guide is here to help you feel comfortable and prepared, without pressure or overthinking.
There’s nothing you need to memorise or plan in detail. On-location sessions are shaped by the conditions on the day, and I’ll guide everything as we go.
What to expect at your location
On-location sessions at your own property are relaxed and unhurried. There's something really special about photographing a dog in the space they know best — their familiar sights, smells, and favourite corners all become part of the story.
Some dogs will head straight for their favourite spot. Others will want to explore and sniff everything first before settling in. Both are completely normal, and both make for beautiful portraits. There's no expectation for your dog to perform or follow commands. I work with what your dog offers naturally, and often the most meaningful portraits come from the unscripted moments.
We'll move gently through the space, allowing time for sniffing, pauses, and play. Your role is simply to be present with your dog and enjoy the experience. I'll guide positioning and anything else needed along the way.
Choosing and preparing the area
Before your session, it's worth having a think about which spots on your property feel most meaningful, your dog's favourite patch, a corner of the garden they love, or a wider open area with a beautiful backdrop.
Once you've identified the key areas, here are a few simple things that make a real difference to the final portraits:
Clear the space
Have a walk through with fresh eyes and remove anything that might become a distraction in the background: garden hoses, bins, tools, vehicles, general clutter. Things you stop noticing day-to-day can stand out in a portrait, so a quick tidy before your session goes a long way.
Mow the lawn — but not too close to the day
If your session will include any grassed areas, mow them well ahead of time, ideally at least a week before your session. This gives the grass time to settle so it looks neat and natural rather than freshly cut. Longer, uneven grass can be particularly tricky with smaller dogs, it competes with the subject and makes it harder to create clean, beautiful portraits. Short, settled grass gives us the best foundation to work with.
Move vehicles out of frame
If there are cars, trailers, or machinery in or near the shooting area, parking them elsewhere for the afternoon makes a noticeable difference. This is one of the easiest things to do ahead of time and always worth it.
What to bring
A few simple things can be helpful for an on-location session:
- Fresh water for your dog
- A small selection of treats if they have any dietary restrictions (I always have plenty of jerky)
- A favourite toy, ball, or object your dog loves
- Any meaningful items you'd like included: a lead, a hat, something that belongs to their story
- A bag to hold everything
Everything is optional. If you're unsure, it's better to bring items along and decide together on the day.
Grooming and presentation
If your dog has a longer coat, I recommend scheduling grooming one to two weeks prior to your session. This allows the coat to settle naturally and avoids a freshly groomed look on camera.
The most important area to focus on is the eyes. Keeping the eyes clear of fur makes a noticeable difference in portraits, allowing expression and connection to shine through.
A little mud or grass on the day is completely fine, it's part of being out in their world.
Dress to impress (for you)
If you'd like to be included in some portraits with your dog, what you wear can subtly influence how the images feel.
For on-location sessions, soft, natural tones photograph beautifully and complement outdoor settings. Think relaxed and comfortable rather than styled or structured. Layers work well in cooler months.
It's best to avoid bright whites, bold logos, or busy patterns, as these can distract from the connection being captured.
To take the guesswork out of colours, I have a colour palette tool in the Client Lounge. Upload a photo of your dog and it will suggest tones that work beautifully alongside their colouring.
If you're unsure, feel free to bring a couple of options or reach out beforehand.
Helping your dog feel at ease
The best thing you can do for your dog on the day is to keep calm and don't rush. Dogs are very attuned to how we're feeling and take their cues from you.
There's no need to practise behaviours or rehearse anything beforehand. I'll guide the session quietly and adapt as we go, allowing your dog to move, pause, and play naturally.
If your dog needs a break, we take one. If they want to explore or run, we allow space for that too.
After the session
After the session
Following your on-location experience, I'll prepare a curated selection of portraits for you to view.
We'll arrange a time for your reveal and artwork appointment in person at my Wootton studio. I'll guide you through selecting your favourite images and choosing artwork that suits your home and how you'd love to enjoy the portraits, whether that's a statement wall piece, a collection, or something more intimate.
You won't be left to figure this out on your own. My role is to help you create artwork you'll love living with for years to come.
A final note
On-location sessions are about being present — in a place that holds meaning, with the dog who means everything. There's no right way for the experience to unfold, only your dog being themselves in a beautiful setting.
If questions come up as you're reading this, or if anything feels unclear, just let me know. I'm always happy to help.
I'm really looking forward to creating something special with you.
If you'd like to revisit artwork options, you'll find more information in the Artwork Guide within the Client Lounge.