Clients
- Practice commands in the days and weeks before your pet's session (SIT, STAY/WAIT, and DOWN).
- Plan pet & human outfits. FOR PETS: Put on a collar and leash that looks nice for the session and that coordinates with human outfits, if humans will be in the photos. (Note: While we try to edit out leashes, they can be left in photos where it makes sense.) FOR HUMANS: Remember the 3 C's—casual, comfortable, and color. The first two are self-explanatory. For color, intense colors (navy, red, dark or hot pink, etc.) and pastels (except very pale) work well. Avoid washed-out or subdued colors, and solids work better than patterns.
- Session day packing list items include: (1) your pet's favorite treats or toys, (2) water and a water bowl or frisbee (two birds—toy and makeshift water bowl!), (3) a brush for long-haired pets, (4) pickup bags, and (5) a towel or two in case your pet gets dirty or wet before the session.
- Groom your pet before the session. Bathe, dry (with a hairdryer, if your pet will allow it, as it makes even short-haired dogs look their bougiest), and trim nails.
- Burn off steam before the session. A long walk or some good exercise pre-session can help high-energy and anxious pets. Older and lower-energy pets might go for a shorter walk just to boost their mood, energy, and enthusiasm just before their session.
Mini session & Red Carpet events
- We encourage you to arrive 5-10 minutes BEFORE your pet's scheduled time.
- Look for the WELCOME / WAITING AREA, where you can check in for your pet's session. Please keep your pet on its leash while you wait.
- We try to keep the set free of other pets and humans to minimize distractions for the in-progress session, so we ask everyone to remain in the waiting area until they're called to the set.
- At your pet's scheduled time, we'll call your pet to the set. Your pet's mini session will last 20 minutes, and we'll aim to get as many shots as possible during this time.
- Start on the sidelines. During sessions, sometimes it's most helpful for pet parents to stand back (but close by for anxious pets especially). This gives us time to get to know your pet and get him or her comfortable with us and the camera. For some pets, we may call in the parent to help with commands or posing, but three humans directing the shot can cause pup overload and confusion, so we ask that you start as a fly on the wall (please). :)
- Plan for patience. It can take a few minutes for your pet to warm up to us and for us to figure out the best tactics for getting the shots we want. The best we humans can do is try to make the experience fun for everyone, especially our bougie pet!
- After your pet's session, we'll usher you and your pet out and call in the next pet.
Private Sessions & Pets Anderson Days
Private sessions and Pets Anderson Days vary, so please just follow our cue (and any signage). Otherwise, here are some things to prepare.
- Keep your pet on the leash until we say otherwise. This applies for ALL Bougie Pet Pawtography sessions and experiences, for the safety of everyone. PLEASE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Start on the sidelines. During sessions, sometimes it's most helpful for pet parents to stand back (but close by for anxious pets especially). This gives us time to get to know your pet and get him or her comfortable with us and the camera. For some pets, we may call in the parent to help with commands or posing, but three humans directing the shot can cause pup overload and confusion, so we ask that you start as a fly on the wall (please). :)
- Plan for patience. It can take a few minutes for your pet to warm up to us and for us to figure out the best tactics for getting the shots we want. The best we humans can do is try to make the experience fun for everyone, especially our bougie pet!
We'll notify you when your pet's photos are ready and send you a gallery link by email. Here are our general turn-around times for different session and experience types.
- Private sessions take 3-4 weeks.
- Mini sessions take 1-2 weeks (sometimes 3).
- Pup pawties take 3-4 weeks.
- Pets Anderson Days vary due to their artistic and variable nature.
Please see the FAQ for private sessions.
If you ❤️ Bougie Pet Pawtography, please leave us a review! It helps us find great clients like you.*
*P.S. We do poetry, too.
*P.S. We do poetry, too.
