Pets are Family Too!

I’ll never forget the session with a family who brought both their dog and their cat. As always, I told them I’d do my best to include their pets in the family portrait. The dog was thrilled — tail wagging, ready for his close‑up. The cat, however, had a very different opinion about the whole situation.

The moment she was lifted into the daughter’s arms, she wriggled free and darted off, making it clear she had no intention of participating. We all assumed that was the end of her cameo. But later, while editing, I noticed something that made me laugh out loud: she had quietly returned, slipped into the frame, and positioned herself perfectly — calm, composed, and absolutely regal. She joined the portrait exactly the way cats do everything… entirely on her own terms.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to work with both dogs and cats in a way that honors their personalities. Some need time to sniff, explore, or simply observe from a distance before they relax. Others warm up right away. I give them the space they need, follow their lead, and let them settle into the moment. Animals seem to sense my love for them, and that trust helps me capture their true spirit — whether it’s playful, shy, curious, or wonderfully stubborn.

Pets are family, and photographing them is one of my greatest joys.

A small, fluffy brown dog with big eyes and a tiny tongue sticking out, smiling.
Three pets, a dog, a cat, and another dog, are dressed in Christmas-themed hats and costumes, sitting in front of a white Christmas tree with a white background.
A happy Australian Shepherd dog with a brown and white coat, smiling with its tongue slightly out, against a dark background.
A cat and a dog wearing Christmas hats and scarves, facing each other
A woman smiling on a beach at sunset, wearing an orange top and holding a yellow Labrador Retriever dog.
A couple sitting on grass in a green field with mountains and trees in the background, holding a small brown dog.
Profile of a yellow Labrador Retriever dog with a black collar, near water.
A small dog with brown and white fur standing outdoors surrounded by greenery.
Two dogs with curly fur wearing red holiday bandanas with white trim and small bells. Both dogs have ear flips and are seated against a plain light background.
A cat dressed in a red holiday sweater, wearing reindeer antlers, standing on a white surface near a white Christmas tree.
A young girl with blonde hair tied in pigtails, sitting in a wooden chair, wearing a white top with colorful designs and green shorts, smiling with her arm resting on the chair's armrest. Next to her, a large golden retriever dog sitting on the floor
A cat wearing a reindeer costume looking at its reflection in a mirror.
Small dog in a black and red sweater holding a red plaid scarf in its mouth.