Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the Perfect Dog Adventure Photoshoot
Chief Happiness Officer, Poppy, testing out the light at Fort Canning, Singapore for an upcoming dog photoshoot
Ever wonder what happens BEFORE we even head to a photoshoot of your dog? Long before your wild beach-loving Singapore Special becomes that majestic sea creature in photos, there's a whole secret world of preparation happening behind the scenes. Today I'm pulling back the curtain on all the pre-shoot magic that makes those perfect adventure dog photos possible – it’s a lot!
🕵🏻♀️ Detective Mode: Getting to Know Your Dog
Before I even pick up my camera, I'm already in full dog-stalking mode! During our initial chat on DM or WhatsApp, and in the questionnaire that I send over to you, I'll be asking:
Questionnaire sent out to you after you book a photoshoot
"Is Major a tennis ball fanatic or more of a squeaky toy connoisseur?"
"Will Betty bark at roosters like they've personally offended her ancestors?"
“What does “comfort” look like to your pet? What can I do to get their attention?”
These aren't random questions – they're my secret weapons for capturing your dog's true personality! The more I know about your furry friend's quirks and preferences, the better prepared I'll be to catch those perfect, authentic moments of your dog, and your bond.
📍 Location Reconnaissance Missions
That stunning sunlight-peaking-out-of-leaves shot? Yeah, I probably visited that spot three times before our session, with ShutterBark’s Chief Happiness Officer, Poppy.
Once at 7:57 AM on a weekday to check the sunrise lighting (coffee in hand, still half-asleep)
Again at 9:30am to find even more perfect hidden corners
And a final time on a weekend morning to get a sense of the location on the weekends
Anywhere we are going for your photoshoot, Poppy has probably been, and posed for numerous photos in that location. All to find the best angles of your pet!
🐶 Preparing YOU! (The Human Behind the Dog)
ShutterBark’s photoshoot guide that you will receive before your photoshoot
About a week before our session, you'll receive a digital prep guide that's basically the dog photography equivalent of a spa day preparation. It's the secret sauce to making our session amazing! Inside you'll find, amongst other things:
What NOT to Worry About: Your pet hates the camera and can’t post? They don’t listen in a new place? All of these are not things you’ll need to worry about in a ShutterBark Studio photoshoot. We meet your dog at their most comfortable: having fun and being relaxed in their skin, whether it be rolling in grass, fetching a ball…or terrorising a pigeon.
Wardrobe wisdom: Tips on what colors photograph beautifully on the beach (hint: jewel tones are your friend, neon is... not), and why matching your dog's collar to your outfit creates a subtle visual connection
Mindset Pep Talk: Dogs are emotional sponges—if you're stressed about getting "perfect" photos, your dog will feel that tension. So have fun with your dog— we'll get the shots!
📸🏃♀️ Prepping my Mary Poppins Photography Bag…and My Legs
My camera sling back contains:
More lenses than I care to admit
Enough batteries and memory cards to survive a small apocalypse
An arsenal of bizarre noisemakers that make me look absolutely ridiculous in public, like a squeaker…and my very high pitch voice
My gym training routine (I’m not kidding!) looks like this:
Deep Asian squat necessary to photograph dogs that are low on the ground!
Building squat endurance: You try holding a deep squat for 10 minutes waiting for the perfect puppy expression!
Upper body power: For carrying 5-20kg of camera gear, water AND your backpack while hiking (yes, I carry all of my client’s personal items!)
Lower back conditioning: Because leaning over with heavy equipment for hours is no joke
Quick-burst cardio: For those moments when I need to sprint ahead of your pet to get the action shot!
All this preparation might seem excessive, but it's what allows those magical, spontaneous moments to happen during our session. When you see me arrive with my carefully selected gear, location insights, and personalized plan for your dog, know that hours of thought have already gone into making your photoshoot as stress-free and successful as possible.
Because the best dog photos don't just happen—they're the result of meticulous planning combined with the flexibility to embrace whatever adventure your four-legged friend decides to take us on!
Stay tuned for next week's post where I'll reveal what REALLY happens during those beach and adventure sessions!