Planning a family portrait session and wondering if your furry best friend should come along? As a Lake Tahoe family photographer, I get this question all the time. The short answer is yes, absolutely, if it feels right for your family! Our beloved pets are often cherished family members, and including them in your photos can add so much personality fun and genuine connection to your images. But to make sure we set the session up for wagging tails and beautiful results, there are a few things to consider.

Know Your Dog’s Personality for Pet-Friendly Family Photos

Every dog brings its own energy to a family photo session. If your pup is playful or excitable, we may take a little extra time to ease them in and capture natural, joyful moments. That is completely fine! I have plenty of experience working with pets and know how to create a calm, fun environment where everyone feels at ease. If your dog is more mellow, we can smoothly include them, often at the start or end when they are most relaxed. Maybe you even have a dog in a fun outfit? like found here . Anything goes!

Best Dog Friendly Locations in Lake Tahoe and Truckee

Because we are photographing outdoors around Lake Tahoe and Truckee, it is important to know that some beaches do not allow dogs, while others require leashes at all times. I will help guide you to dog-friendly locations that fit your vision and make sure we follow local guidelines so everything runs smoothly. This local knowledge is part of what makes working with an experienced Lake Tahoe family photographer so valuable.

Tips for Smooth Pet Friendly Portrait Sessions

It is always helpful to bring along an extra set of hands, a friend, relative, or dog walker, who can help care for your pet when they are not in the frame. This lets us focus fully on both pet-inclusive shots and human-only portraits without added stress. We will also take breaks to let your dog explore, relax, or have some playtime. Bringing their favorite treats or toys helps grab attention when needed, and I will guide you on how to position everyone for natural, happy photos.

What If You Decide Not To Include Your Dog?

No worries! Family portraits can feel complete and meaningful without pets, especially if you want a simpler session. We can always plan a separate mini-session just for your dog another time.

Let’s Make Your Lake Tahoe Family Session Fun

Including your dog in family photos is all about celebrating the full story of your family. I am here to make it smooth, fun, and low-pressure. And just for the record, I am more of a cat person and have yet to photograph an outdoor session with a cat. If you are a cat loving family, let’s make it happen! I would absolutely love the chance to create something memorable with your feline friend.

Once you are booked, you will receive a detailed client guide to help you prepare and feel confident.

Ready to start planning your session? Contact me to begin, your Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Reno family photographer.