How Your Dog’s Portraits Get Finished After the Session
One of the most common questions I get after a session is: “How much do you edit my dog’s photos?”
The short answer: quite a bit — but only in the way that makes the best images feel like your dog, just more polished.
Your portrait session is only one part of the process. Once your session ends, the real magic happens in post-production. Here’s what that looks like — and what you can expect when you see your final portraits.
Unedited image, straight out of camera
Edited, final portrait
Proofs vs. Final Edits
After your session, you’ll get a private proofing gallery with all the images from your session. These are unedited — so they’re meant for you to pick your favorites, not for perfect presentation.
Because proofs aren’t finished yet, you might notice things like:
Paw smudges on the backdrop
Human arms, feet, or hands in the frame
Studio equipment you’d rather not see
Lighting and colors that look off compared to your finished gallery
That’s normal! The proofing gallery’s job is to show you expressions, poses, and the moments you love so you can choose the images you want finished.
Unedited image, straight out of camera
Edited, final portrait
What Happens in Editing
Once you choose your favorites, I go in and refine each one — not to change your dog but to make the final portraits look intentional, professional, and true to your pup’s personality.
Some things I work on include:
Removing distractions like paw smudges or treat crumbs
Cleaning up background elements
Balancing lighting and color so your dog’s fur and eyes pop
Making sure each image feels cohesive with the rest of your gallery
Every image gets careful attention, and depending on the photo, I spend anywhere from a few minutes to nearly an hour making sure the finished portrait feels just right.
Why This Matters
Editing isn’t about “fixing mistakes.” It’s about enhancing what already works — bringing clarity, focus, and feeling to portraits you’ll want to display and revisit for years.
This is the part where your dog goes from great photos to portraits you’ll actually want printed and put on your wall.
Unedited image, straight out of camera
Edited, final portrait
Ready to See Your Dog as Art?
Your dog’s portrait doesn’t end when the camera clicks. Thoughtful editing is what turns a good moment into finished artwork — the kind you’ll want to live with, not just scroll past.
If you’re ready for a studio experience that’s intentional from start to finish, you can learn more about portrait sessions and request yours today.
