Should You Groom Your Dog Before a Photography Session?

Should You Groom Your Dog Before

a Photography Session?

You've scheduled your dog's photography session, picked out what you're going to wear, and started thinking about all the photographs we're going to create.

Then another question comes up.

Should you get your dog groomed before the session?

The short answer?

It's a good idea.

A clean, freshly brushed dog generally photographs better than one whose coat is dirty, tangled, or overdue for a little attention.

But that doesn't mean you need to schedule an elaborate grooming appointment, give your dog a completely new haircut, or worry about keeping them spotless throughout the entire session.

Especially if we're heading into the woods.

Let's talk about what actually matters.

1. A Little Grooming Can Make a Big Difference

One of the easiest ways to prepare your dog for their photography session is to make sure their coat is clean and brushed.

Loose fur, tangles, and dirt can all affect how your dog's coat looks in photographs.

For dogs with longer coats, brushing can help bring out the texture and shape of their fur. And for dogs with shorter coats, a bath and a good brushing can make a noticeable difference too.

But there's one area I'm particularly interested in.

Their eyes.

Your dog's eyes are often one of the most expressive parts of their face. When long fur covers them, we can lose some of that expression.

For breeds whose hair naturally grows over their eyes, having that area tidied up by a groomer can make a big difference in the finished photographs.

Of course, some breeds naturally have facial hair that's part of their appearance. I'm not suggesting we completely change how your dog looks.

I just want to be able to see those eyes when we're trying to create a beautiful portrait.

And if your dog's coat is naturally a little wild and crazy?

That's perfectly fine too.

We want them looking their best, but we still want them looking like themselves.

2. Don't Schedule a Stressful Grooming Appointment Right Before the Session

If your dog regularly visits a professional groomer, I'd recommend scheduling their appointment a few days before our photography session rather than the same day.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, a fresh haircut sometimes needs a little time to settle.

Depending on the breed and grooming style, your dog may look a little more like their usual self after a day or two.

But the bigger consideration is how your dog feels.

Some dogs love going to the groomer.

Others?

Not so much.

Bathing, drying, brushing, clipping, unfamiliar sounds, and being handled for an extended period can be stressful for some dogs.

Even dogs that tolerate grooming well may come home exhausted.

And I'd rather not have your dog arrive for their photography session already feeling like they've had enough excitement for one day.

I'd much rather photograph a happy, comfortable dog whose haircut is a few days old than a perfectly groomed dog who's already exhausted before we've taken the first photograph.

If grooming is particularly stressful for your dog, we can talk about simpler ways to prepare them at home instead.

The goal is to have them looking good AND feeling good.

3. Please Don't Give Your Dog a Completely New Look Just for Me

If your dog normally has a particular haircut or grooming style, there's no reason to change it specifically for their photography session.

You know what your dog looks like.

You know the expressions, the ears, the fluffy tail, and all the little things that make them recognizable.

Those are the things I want to photograph.

If your dog normally has a shaggy face, we don't need to suddenly turn them into a completely different-looking dog.

A little cleanup is great.

A dramatic makeover?

Probably unnecessary.

And if your dog has never been professionally groomed before, I wouldn't recommend making their photography session the reason for their very first appointment.

There's no need to introduce a potentially stressful new experience just to prepare for another new experience.

4. Outdoor Photography Sessions Aren't Exactly Clean Activities

Here's something worth remembering.

A lot of my outdoor photography sessions involve walking through woods, exploring trails, wandering through fields, and generally spending time in places that aren't particularly concerned with keeping your dog clean.

There are leaves.

There's dirt.

Sometimes there's wet grass.

And occasionally there's a puddle that your dog will discover approximately three seconds before I notice it.

So while I absolutely recommend starting with a clean dog, I don't expect them to stay perfectly clean for the entire session.

We can create the more traditional portraits earlier, while everyone is still relatively clean and presentable.

Then, as we explore the location and your dog becomes more comfortable, we can create other kinds of photographs.

Sometimes that means running through a field.

Sometimes that means playing with a favorite toy.

Sometimes it means investigating a particularly interesting patch of dirt.

And that's okay.

The goal of an outdoor photography session isn't to spend two hours preventing your dog from interacting with the outdoors.

It's to create beautiful photographs while allowing them to enjoy the experience.

5. Sometimes a Muddy Dog Makes a Fantastic Photograph

Now, there's a difference between showing up for a photography session with a dirty, matted coat and getting muddy because you're having the time of your life.

And sometimes that second one makes for a pretty fantastic photograph.

A Labrador charging through a puddle.

A dog with a muddy nose after investigating something fascinating.

A happy dog running through wet grass without a care in the world.

Those photographs may not be the ones you choose for a formal portrait over the fireplace.

Or maybe they are.

I'm certainly not going to judge. 😂

The point is that not every photograph needs to be perfectly clean and polished.

Some of the best photographs capture a dog's personality, enthusiasm, and love of doing whatever it is they enjoy most.

And occasionally, that involves getting dirty.

6. A Few Simple Things to Do Before Your Session

You don't need to spend hours preparing your dog, but a little attention beforehand can help.

Give their coat a good brushing, especially if they have longer fur.

If they're due for a bath, try to take care of that before the session rather than rushing to do it at the last minute.

Check around their eyes and make sure we can see them clearly, if that's appropriate for their breed and normal grooming style.

If their nails need trimming, take care of that ahead of time too.

And for outdoor sessions, bringing along a small towel is never a bad idea.

We can use it to dry off wet paws, wipe away a little dirt, or clean up an unexpectedly muddy face.

Nothing complicated.

Just a few small things that can help us get off to a great start.

And if you're planning to be in the photographs too, I've also put together some suggestions about what to wear for your dog's photography session.

Start Clean, Then Let Them Be Dogs

So, should you groom your dog before their photography session?

Yes, when it makes sense for your dog.

A clean, brushed coat and a little attention to their appearance can make a noticeable difference in the photographs we create.

But don't schedule a stressful grooming appointment immediately before the session.

Don't give your dog a completely different haircut just because they're having their photograph taken.

And definitely don't spend the entire session worrying about whether they've gotten a little dirt on their paws.

We'll start with the beautiful portraits.

We'll take advantage of that clean coat and those expressive eyes.

And then?

We'll let your dog enjoy being a dog.

Because sometimes the best photograph of your dog is the one where they're looking absolutely perfect.

And sometimes it's the one where they're covered in mud and having the time of their life.