During Your Dog Portrait Experience

The kind of artwork that becomes part of your home and your story is created during the session itself.

It’s about capturing your dog’s spirit that truly reflects who they are, with patience, dog whispering, and a lot of treats.

During Your Session

The session is thoughtfully guided from arrival to finish, creating a calm, focused experience where your dog can settle in and be themselves. Here’s what you can expect during your time in the studio.

Studio Arrival & Session Flow

Arrive 5 minutes before your session so your dog has time to take a potty break, sniff around outside, and take a stroll around the block. A calm arrival helps your dog feel grounded before we begin.

The studio is located inside the Holland Arts Building West in Northeast Minneapolis. The building is secure, so when you arrive, text me and I’ll come let you in. Residential street parking is available nearby.

Before we start, we’ll let your dog explore the space off leash to sniff and get used to the studio.

This small transition period makes a noticeable difference in how relaxed dogs feel on set.

Dog-Friendly Photo Studio

This studio allows your dog to focus, settle, and express themselves in a way that’s rarely possible elsewhere. It’s unfamiliar enough to be interesting, but calm enough to feel safe — which is where personality naturally starts to surface.

This dog-friendly studio is more than just a photography space—it’s a safe, comfortable, and stress-free environment where your dog can truly shine. Located in the heart of northeast Minneapolis, The Dog Photog studio was designed specifically with our canine clients in mind.

Key Features of the Studio:

  • Durable, industrial design

  • Calm, cozy space that puts dogs at ease

  • Dog-safe materials and easy-to-clean surfaces

  • Large water bowl, filled with filtered water

  • Colorful paper sweep backdrops to compliment a dog’s coat

  • Professional-level sandbags securing all photo equipment for safety

  • Grass turf available for dogs who prefer a more natural surface

Documentary Artistry

I lead every session with a documentary-inspired approach. That means I’m not rushing your dog into poses or forcing moments to happen.

Instead, I:

  • Observe how your dog moves, reacts, and engages

  • Adjust my approach based on their energy and interest

  • Use patience and timing to capture expressions that feel real

Some dogs jump right in. Others need a few minutes. Both are normal — and both photograph beautifully when given space.

A Collaborative, Dog-Led Process

You know your dog better than anyone. I’ll check in with you as we go, but you don’t need to direct or manage anything.

My role is to guide the session, adapt in real time, and find the techniques that resonate with your dog — whether that’s play, stillness, curiosity, or quiet connection.

The goal is never perfection, it’s autheticity.
The goal is recognition — images that feel unmistakably like your dog.

Happy Dog Guarantee
(In Practice)

If at any point your dog feels overwhelmed, stressed, or simply not into it, we slow down, shift gears, or stop. Sessions succeed when dogs feel safe and respected — and I never push past that.

“She captured our two dogs perfectly and gave us photos we will always treasure. Can’t recommend her enough!”

— Evie and Stanley’s mom, Isle

Next Up:

Before the Session

The session itself is relaxed and dog-led, allowing your dog’s personality to naturally come through in a calm, distraction-free space.

Before the session →

After the Session

After the session, everything is handled with care—from selecting the strongest images to guiding you through artwork options.

After the session →

Your Questions, Answered

  • I’ve found it’s best to have your dog be able to sit and wait (or stay) before their session. It’s important for them to be able to sit on the backdrop by themselves without running after you!

    Many dog parents are pleasantly surprised at how quickly I’m able to capture a split-second sit and stay. Just practice up beforehand and your dog should do just fine!

  • Sh!t happens.

    Before your session, make sure your dog uses the facilities outside to start the session with an empty bladder. There’s time for another potty break halfway through the session.

    If your dog does have an accident, I’ll clean up the mess while you take them outside. The session will resume after but cannot guarantee adding additional time to the end of the session.

  • Two weeks after your session, you’ll get an email with a gallery of your edited images to swoon over. Can’t narrow it down? No worries—you can purchase extra images for $35 each or go all in and order the whole gallery.

    These photos aren’t meant to live in your phone’s camera roll—they’re meant to be shown off! You can order prints, wall art, or even custom apparel straight from your gallery.

  • I’m happy to reschedule when given as much notice as possible. Rare circumstances will allow for full refunds.

    Check out the Cancellation Policy for all details.

    You can always contact The Dog Photog if you have specific questions or circumstances.