The number one thing I hear before a photoshoot is usually some version of: "Just warning you, he doesn't listen at all, and he doesn't sit!"
And every single time, I think: that's great! We're gonna have so much fun! The zoomy dogs, the sniffers, the ones who completely ignore their owners and go full feral the moment they hit a new location, they actually give us the best photos. Wanna know why?
🐕 "Sit. Stay." is not the vibe.
Studio portraits have their place. But what we're doing at Shutterbark is something different: we're documenting your dog's actual personality. And your dog's actual personality is almost never "sitting perfectly still with a pleasant expression."
It's in the the full-body wiggle when they spot a squirrel. The absolute concentration of a dog who has located a suspicious smell and will not be moved. The way they interact with you…or deliberately choose not to haha! Those are the shots worth keeping. And none of them require your dog to sit or stay.
🎯 So what DO I need from your dog?
Just that they're having fun!
My whole approach is built around working with your dog's energy, not against it. If your dog is zoomy, we use that. If they're a velcro dog who won't leave your side, we use that too. If they're suspicious of the camera (very common, very valid), I'll spend the first 20 minutes just ignoring them completely and letting them forget I exist.
I send you a questionnaire before every shoot to understand whether your dog is motivated by tennis balls, squeaky toys, a treat bag…or water 🤣 I'll ask you to bring along their favorites and do playtime with them. That's it, that's the whole photoshoot.
📸 Some of my favourite shots come from "I hate the camera" dogs
The dog who won't look at the camera? I now have 47 photos of them looking away from the camera, gazing into the distance like they're the star of a nature documentary. Iconic!
The dog who kept running back to their owner mid-shoot? Some of the most genuine, joyful reunion shots I've ever taken. These shots also show your bond :)
The dog who refused to leave a particular puddle? Absolutely stunning water reflection shots and one very muddy, very happy dog portrait.
😅 What about YOU, the human?
This is actually the bigger thing I want to address, because the stress that owners feel about their dog "performing" during a shoot is real, and it transfers directly to your dog. Dogs are emotional sponges. If you're tense and apologising every 30 seconds, your dog picks that up!
So here's your official permission slip: stop trying to control your dog during our shoot. That's my job. Your job is to play with them, be present, and trust that we'll get the shots, because we always do. 😁
The best thing you can do is show up, have fun, and let your dog be exactly who they are. I'll take care of the rest 🐾
Shutterbark Studio is a Singapore dog photography studio specializing in outdoor, adventure-style photoshoots. I photograph dogs across Singapore, from heritage trails to coastal walks, or even on your staycation or favorite neighborhood walk. Book A Photoshoot Now!
