Simple. Guided. Joyful. Here’s exactly what your Two Saints Photography experience looks like from start to finish.
So you’ve decided to book a professional photoshoot for your dog. First of all — wonderful decision. Your dog is so incredibly wonderful and deserves to be celebrated in a big way. And what better way to honour the love you share than by documenting their amazing spirit through stunning photography?
If you’re wondering what actually happens between “I’d love to book a session!” and the moment a gorgeous piece of artwork is hanging on your wall — this guide walks you through every single step. From our very first conversation to the day your custom artwork arrives, here’s exactly what your Two Saints Photography experience looks like.
Step 1: We Connect and Plan with Intention
Every session begins with a conversation — and this is where the magic really starts.
Once you reach out, we’ll schedule a planning consultation. This is often held over the phone, but if you’d prefer to meet in person, you’re always welcome at my home studio. During this call, we’ll talk about your dog — their personality, their quirks, what makes them uniquely and wonderfully yours. Are they a bold adventurer or a gentle soul? Do they have a funny habit or a look they give you that melts your heart every time? The more I know, the better I can tailor every detail of your session.
We’ll also use this time to choose your location, finalize dates and meeting times, and start thinking about how you might like to display your images. That last part matters more than you might think — if you’re considering artwork for a narrower wall, for instance, knowing that ahead of time allows me to shoot with portrait orientation in mind. Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want to do with your images yet. That’s exactly what I’m here for, and we’ll work through it together.
This consultation is a critical step. Every session at Two Saints Photography is fully customized — there is no one-size-fits-all here. Your experience, and your artwork, will be made specifically for you.
Step 2: Preparing for Your Session
A little preparation goes a long way toward making your session day feel smooth and stress-free. Here’s what I recommend:
Exercise your dog beforehand. It’s exciting to arrive somewhere new, and a dog who has already had a good walk or run will settle into the session much faster.
Bring treats — the good ones. I always have a stash on hand, but if your dog is picky or has dietary restrictions, please bring their favourites. Tiny pieces work best: think dime-sized for large dogs and pea-sized pieces for small dogs. High-value motivation makes a real difference.
Pack their favourite toy. A beloved toy can be a great attention-getter and adds a lovely, personal touch to some images.
Think about the collar. If possible, bring a regular flat collar and a basic 6-foot lead for portraits. If your dog uses a harness or gentle leader for walking, that’s completely fine for getting to the session — but please be aware that while leashes can be removed in editing, large harnesses that cover most of the chest can be very difficult to remove from a final image. Martingale collars are a great option for sighthounds or dogs that can slip out of flat collars.
Book the groomer a few days before — not the day of. If your dog has a preferred haircut, plan their grooming appointment a few days in advance. Going from the groomer straight to a photoshoot can be overwhelming, and a fresh cut usually needs a day or two to settle in and look its best.
Bring water for everyone — including yourself. And one bag to carry it all in. That’s it!
Step 3: What to Wear (If You’re Joining In)
The session is all about your dog — but if you’d like to be in some of the images (and I genuinely recommend it), your clothing can make a real difference in how your final artwork looks and feels. Here’s a simple three-step approach to getting it right.
Find the right colours. This is the single most important clothing decision you’ll make. As a general rule, skip black and white — both tend to be unflattering in outdoor photos. Instead, think in one of two directions:
Earth tones are colours found in nature that are soft and muted — think sage and forest greens, caramels, chocolate browns, rusts, dusty roses, mustard yellows, sky blues, and creams. These blend beautifully with natural outdoor settings and give your images a warm, timeless feel.
Jewel tones are deeper and more vibrant — rich navy, emerald green, burgundy, teal, deep rose, gold, and purple. These make a gorgeous statement while still photographing beautifully in natural light.
Either palette works wonderfully. The key is that if more than one person is in the frame, everyone should be pulling from the same general palette — you don’t need to match exactly, but you should coordinate.
Look for texture and small patterns. Once you’ve nailed your colour palette, reach for pieces with visual interest. Cable knit sweaters, denim, linen, and woven fabrics all photograph beautifully. Small prints — a subtle plaid, a delicate floral, a fine stripe — can add great dimension without overwhelming the image. Avoid large, bold graphic prints which tend to distract from the real stars of the show.
Consider your accessories. Accessories are an easy and often overlooked way to elevate your look. Scarves, hats, jean jackets, and cardigans all add layers of visual interest that make images feel richer and more styled. Just keep one thing in mind: avoid baseball caps (they cast strong shadows across the face) and transition lenses (they turn into sunglasses outdoors). A wide-brimmed hat, on the other hand, can look absolutely beautiful.
A few final clothing notes: please avoid gym clothes, very low-cut tops, and anything overly baggy or shapeless. And above all — wear something you genuinely feel good in. Confidence is always the best thing you can wear.
Looking for inspiration? Follow these links to my Pinterest page. Simply click on each image to view clothing for Fall/Winter or Spring/Summer
Step 4: The Session Day — Pure Joy
This is the big day. And it is meant to feel like one.
Your dog’s only job is to be a dog. Leave all worries and expectations at the door and just enjoy the experience.
We’ll meet at your chosen location and spend roughly 90 minutes together. The session is strictly stress-free — your dog leads the way, and we take plenty of breaks as we explore the area. There are no rigid poses, no pressure, and no frustration if things don’t go perfectly to plan. In fact, the moments that feel “imperfect” — the head tilt, the mid-run blur of ears, the quiet pause to take in a view — are often exactly where the best images live.
I gently guide when it’s helpful, and I stay ready with my arsenal of duck calls, squeakers, and tricks to capture your dog’s attention at just the right moment. But the magic happens in the in-between moments, when your dog is simply and completely themselves. That’s when their real personality shines — and that’s what I’m here to capture.
If it feels like your dog isn’t listening or we need to set up a shot several times over, please don’t worry. It’s completely expected. I promise we are creating incredible images.
Yes, Your Dog Can Do This
One of the most common things I hear from clients before a session is some version of “but my dog is SO difficult.” And I’ll be honest with you: I have never met a dog I couldn’t photograph.
With over 10 years of animal expertise, I bring both knowledge and genuine intuition to every session. Your dog’s comfort always comes first. Here’s a peek at what I bring to every shoot:
- Infinite patience for shy or hesitant pups
- Gentle care and real understanding for senior dogs
- A long lens that allows me to capture reactive or anxious dogs from a comfortable distance, without stress
- A heartfelt love for big, loveable companions
- Expert know-how for dogs who march entirely to their own beat
And as for the leash situation — here’s a little secret. Most of the dogs you see on my website were wearing leashes during our session. Thanks to a little Photoshop magic, what you see in the final images is a free, happy, leash-free dog in their element. Your dog’s safety is always the priority, and the leash will always stay our little secret.
Step 5: The Viewing and Ordering Appointment
Approximately three weeks after your session, we’ll meet again — at my home studio or via Zoom — for the much-anticipated image reveal.
This is genuinely one of the most joyful parts of the entire experience. We’ll go through all of your beautifully edited images together, choose your favourites, and finalize your order. (There may also be chocolate involved. Just saying.)
Your images will have been carefully edited — leashes removed, distractions cleaned up — and treated to produce bright, warm, and beautifully enhanced results. I’ll walk you through all of the product options, from fine art prints to albums and digital files, so we can decide together how you’ll most enjoy your images. You don’t need to make any decisions ahead of time — that’s what this appointment is for.
Step 6: Your Artwork Arrives
Once your order is finalized, your images move into production where they are transformed into gorgeous, custom artwork. Most pieces take up to six weeks to arrive; a few of the very special items may take up to eight weeks. I promise the wait will be worth every day.
At Two Saints Photography, the primary focus is always on creating tangible, beautiful artwork — pieces that will bring you joy for years to come. Whether your artwork is handcrafted in Italy or framed in authentically weathered Vermont barnwood, it comes from the best artisans in the business. If you’re used to photo prints from a big box store, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
And if you’re local, I’ll deliver your finished artwork personally — so you can hold it in your hands, find the perfect spot for it in your home, and start smiling every single time you walk past it.
Your Questions, Answered
What if it rains or I need to reschedule? Life happens — and so does Canadian weather. We’ll always try to hold the session as planned, but if Mother Nature has other ideas, we’ll reschedule without any fuss. Same goes if you or your pup are feeling under the weather. Just let me know as soon as you can.
My dog can’t be off-leash. Is that ok? Absolutely. Most of the dogs I photograph are on-leash for their entire session. I can even use a special long line to safely capture action shots while keeping your pup completely safe. And of course, the leash disappears in editing.
What if my dog is reactive or nervous around other dogs? No problem at all. We’ll simply choose a quieter location with less foot traffic and dog activity. If you’d love total privacy for your session, there are also options to book private locations exclusively for us — for a small additional fee.
What if my dog won’t sit still? It’s ok — truly! While practicing a sit and stay beforehand is always a good idea, I can guarantee I have worked with dogs far more energetic than yours. I have plenty of tricks and tools to create beautiful, engaging images at any obedience level.
Do I have to be in the photos? You don’t have to be — but I’d encourage you to give it a try. There are so many ways to be part of the images beyond a traditional posed portrait: candid connection, a shared glance, a moment of play. You don’t have to purchase anything you don’t love, so why not see what happens? You might be wonderfully surprised.
Can I bring extra dogs or people? To give your session the best possible chance of success, I ask that you keep the group small and calm. Extra humans or dogs can really amp up the energy in ways that make things harder. The only exception is if you’re bringing a genuine pack and need an extra set of hands to help manage the crew!
Ready to Begin?
From our first conversation to the moment your artwork is hanging on your wall, every step of the Two Saints Photography experience is designed to feel easy, personal, and joyful. Because your pets are family — and they deserve artwork that truly honours that.
If you have any questions at all along the way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
📧 kim@twosaintsphotography.ca 📞 905-933-1035
