The Cheers Babe Blog

How to Include Your Dog in Your Engagement Photos

Engaged couple running with their dog at Joshua Tree during engaged photo shoot. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Have you ever wondered how to include your dog in your engagement photos? Well, you’re not alone! So many of my couples ask me if they can bring their fur baby to their session. 

There are a few things to consider when you have your dog in your engagement photos. With a little bit of preparation and flexibility, the photos can turn out so cute! Here are a few tips that I share with couples who want photos with a dog.

Bring a Friend With You

Most importantly, invite a (human) friend along for part of your engagement session that can either puppysit while the two of you are in some photos alone or perhaps even take the dog home after we’re finished taking photos with them.

Newly married couple posing with their outside Laguna Beach City Hall.

Bring Treats

To pet owners, this is probably a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget. Bring some small treats or even a doggie toy along with you so your photographer has some leverage to get your dog to look towards the camera.

Engaged photo sharing a kiss with their dog at their engagement photo shoot in Joshua Tree. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Newly engaged couple smiling with their dog at their engagement photo shoot in Paso Robles. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple smiling with their dog at Palm Springs during their engagement photos. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Married couple sharing a kiss with their dog at Joshua Tree. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple sharing a kiss with their dog during their engagement photo shoot in San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple kissing while holding their dog at San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple kissing outside Stanford University with their dog. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Add an Accessory

You’ve gotten all dressed up for your photos, so why wouldn’t your dog? It looks so cute to have a small bandana or special leash to showcase your pup’s personal style. 

Engaged couple kissing during their engagement photoshoot in Joshua Tree. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Dog wearing bow tie at wedding ceremony in San Francisco.

Choose a Dog-Friendly Activity

Dogs are best in candid format, so I always recommend choosing a dog-friendly activity like walking in a park or grabbing an outdoor drink so that your pup can be in a natural environment rather than somewhere they might feel uncomfortable. Also be sure it’s a location where dogs are actually allowed!

If you loved this post, then you are going to love these Joshua Tree couples photos with a dog (will add link after the isabell & anthony blog goes live) too! For photographers, here’s an instagram reel where I share a few fun ways to pose couples with a dog!

Married couple dancing with their dog at wedding in San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple kissing outside Laguna Beach City Hall with their dog. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple having a picnic in the park with their dog at their engagement photo shoot. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple walking their dog at a park in San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple walking their dog in the park during engagement photo shoot in San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple kissing at Baker Beach in San Francisco. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Engaged couple walking their dog at Stanford University during their engagement photos. Photography done by Cheers Babe Photo, a wedding photography studio located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Share this with your fiancé if you want to include your dog in your engagement photos!

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