FAQ
What do I wear to my shoot?
Whatever You Want!
You should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. The short answer: wear what you’d like to see in your photos.
Casual streetwear, riding clothes, or even a dress all work perfectly. In my experience, lighter colors tend to complement your pet’s coat better than bright ones—though bright colors can also look fantastic!
If you want to bring two outfits, go for it! We can take photos in both.
If the photos include more than one person, make sure the outfits don’t clash, but also aren’t too “matchy-matchy.”
How do I prepare my dog for the shoot?
When preparing for a shoot with your dog, it’s helpful—if you have time—to work on a few basic commands to make the photo process smoother.
I recommend your dog know sit, down, and stay. But don’t worry if they don’t! All of the photos you see in my portfolio are completely achievable even if your dog doesn’t know any tricks.
If your dog has long hair, I suggest giving them a good brush before the session so they look neat and tidy.
My dogs a little wild, can I use a leash?
Dogs can be on or off leash. If leashed the leash will be edited out. All the photos in my portfolio or anywhere on my site are possible with and without a leash and collar.
I just ask a thinner collar be used if possible unless you want the collar in the final photos.
If you want the collar in or out I recommend using a flat nylon collar or something similar, not a prong or a harness, as standared nylon usually comes out better in photos and is easier to edit out.
How do I prepare my horses for the shoot?
I recommend giving your horse a bath the day before or the morning of your session—just make sure they’re completely dry when I get there.
It’s really important that their face is clean, since that’s such a big part of the photos.
Try to have your horse show-ready before I arrive. You don’t need to braid their mane unless you want to, but if you do, please have the braids finished ahead of time.
I recommend using bridles or leather halters instead of nylon or rope ones. I also have photo halters that I can easily edit out, or we can go for a clean, natural look with nothing on your horse if you prefer.
If you’re planning to use tack (like a bridle) for black background or field photos, make sure it’s clean and polished. And if your horse has a bit, definitely give that a quick clean too.
How long do shoots take?
The length of your session depends on how many different shots and setups we plan to do. I’ll be able to give you a more accurate estimate once you contact me to discuss your ideas.
As a general guide:
Dogs: Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours, whether or not people are included in the photos.
Horses (black background only): Around 30–45 minutes.
Horse and human together: Typically 1–2 hours.
Horse alone (outdoor or portrait session): Usually 1–2 hours.
These times are just estimates! When scheduling your shoot, I recommend keeping your time flexible afterward, just in case we need a little extra time.
I’ll arrive about 30 minutes early to walk around the location and plan the best shots. If you have specific spots in mind, please let me know when I arrive.
How do I pay?
All sessions are paid upfront to protect my time and the work that goes into creating your final gallery. Each collection takes many hours of care and attention to make sure everything is perfect for you.
If you’re not completely happy with your final photos, I’m more than happy to work with you on any adjustments or changes you’d like to make.
Have a Question?
Want to Book your shoot?
Contact me!
caitlan.photography@gmail.com