TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Why You Should Bring Your Dog to Your Engagement Session
• Tips for Getting Epic Dog Engagement Pictures
• How to Incorporate Treats for Dog Photoshoots
• How to Train Your Dog to Pose for Engagement Photos
• Unique Ideas for Including Your Dog in Engagement Photos
• Best Dog Friendly Locations for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin
• Dog Friendly Parks Near Milwaukee for Engagement Photos
• How to Find a Wisconsin Engagement Photographer Who Allows Dogs
• FAQs About Dog Engagement Pictures
• More Wisconsin Engagement Session Guides
• Book Your Dog Friendly Engagement Session With Jessica Frigge Photography
  

If you’re on the fence about including your dog in your engagement photos, this is for you. Dog engagement photos are so fun, chaotic, and the most real engagement session I get to photograph. Ava and Mason brought their dog Willy to gorgeous field in Luxemburg, WI where they walk him all the time. He’s such a happy and energetic dog! Keep reading about how to include your dog in your adventurous engagement photos, tips, how to incorporate treats, and recommendations for the best dog friendly locations in Wisconsin. Because let’s be real dogs are family and they only live so long, so they should definitely be included!

Why You Should Bring Your Dog to Your Engagement Session

Your dog is part of your little family, so having them be part your engagement photos just makes sense. The best engagement sessions are the ones that really feel like you, so bringing your dog along will help bring out genuine reactions. From laughing, chaos, and those cute little in between moments, bringing your dog to your engagement shoot will make your photos feel so much more real and special.

Ava and Mason brought their dog Willy to their engagement session and it’s the perfect example. Willy was running around the field with his tongue out and just living his best dog life. Some of my favorite photos from their session are of them just hanging out with Willy. Plus, you’ll never regret having photos taken with your dog, especially as they get older.

Tips for Getting Epic Dog Engagement Photos

Bringing your dog to your engagement session is so worth it, but some planning is helpful! Here are some of my top tips for making your engagement session run smoothly.

Tire Your Dog Out Before Your Engagement Photoshoot

Bringing your dog to the dog park, a long walk, or letting them run around for a while helps them cooperate more for photos seeing they are usually more calm and tired.

Bring a Friend to Help with Your Dog

Ava and Mason did this to help wrangle Willy during the session and then take him home halfway through so they could have some solo couple photos as well. This is especially helpful if you have a high energy dog.

Keep The Leash Within Reach

Even if the park allows dogs off leash and your dog is great off leash, a new environment is something different! Keep the leash on or within reach for the more posed shots.

Build in Extra Time

Engagement sessions with dogs take a little longer and that’s okay! Just plan for getting ready and arriving earlier so you don’t feel rushed. If you book me for your engagement shoot, we will plan for extra time during the shoot as well for a little buffer so we don’t end up chasing the sun.

Let them be Themselves

The running photos, the zoomies, the crackhead dog energy, the looking the wrong way, the kisses, those are the photos you’ll remember the most and the ones that will bring out your genuine laughter as well, so I say just let it happen!

If you’re looking for a dog friendly photographer in Wisconsin, I’m your girl! Let’s start planning your engagement photos with your dog. Inquire through this link!

How to Incorporate Treats for Dog Photoshoots

Treats are honestly so important if you’re planning to bring your dog to your engagement session. They are the secret to getting your dog to look at the camera, especially if you have a dog like mine that is very treat motivated. Here are some tips on how to use them effectively during your engagement shoot:

1- Bring high value treats or treats you know your dog LOVES

2-Save the best treats for the most important shots

3- Give your photographer the good treats

4-If you brought a friend, have them use treats to direct their gaze

5- Let your photographer know what works

How to Train Your Dog to Pose for Engagement Photos

You actually don’t need a perfectly trained dog to get gorgeous engagement pictures. Willy wasn’t sitting still and waiting for his photos. He was energetic, playful, and running around the field like he lived there and the photos still came out beautiful! A few basic commands can go a long way though! Here are some things to practice if your dog doesn’t already know these:

– Stay by me

-Sit

-Wait

-Look at me

-Look over there

-Down

A good rule of thumb if you have time is to do a practice run at a park nearby with treats and distractions so your dog is used to listening to you in a new environment. But honestly, if none of that works and your dog is just happy chaos, I’m here for it!

Unique Ideas for Including Your Dog in Engagement Photos

If you’re not sure about how to actually incorporate your dog into your engagement session besides just showing up with them, here are a few of my favorite ideas:

1- Walk or run around together like you normally do

2-Bring props like bandanas or toys to play with your dog

3-Bring them with to your favorite dog friendly spots

Best Dog Friendly Locations for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin

– Your favorite park near your house

– Kohler Andrae State Park

-Harrington Beach State Park

-High Cliff State Park

-Potawatomi State Park

-Lions Den

-Devils Lake State Park

-Pike Lake

-Petrifying Springs Park

-Grant Park

Most parks do require your dog to be on leash, but there are some locations that have off leash spots.

You can click this link for more information.

Dog Friendly Parks Near Milwaukee for Engagement Photos

-Doctors Park

-Lake Park

-Grant Park

-Lakeshore State Park

-Warnimont Park

-Bay View Park

-Bender Park- Oak Creek

-Stigler Nature Preserve- New Berlin

-Minooka Park – Waukesha

How to Find a Wisconsin Engagement Photographer Who Allows Dogs

Not every photographer is comfortable working with dogs, especially off leash so it’s always worth asking upfront. Here are some things to look for when searching for a dog friendly engagement photographer in Wisconsin:

-Check their portfolio. Look for photographers who have actually photographed dogs before.

-Ask them directly. Something as simple as “are you comfortable shooting sessions with dogs” or “can we bring our dog to our session” works. A photographer who LOVES dogs will be super excited about it and not hesitant.

-Make sure they’re flexible. Dog sessions require a little extra time and a more carefree, go with the flow approach. Look for a photographer who prioritizes more of a natural, candid, or storytelling photography approach over stiff posing.

-Look at their personality. You really do want someone that is genuinely excited about your dog being there, not just tolerating it.

If you are still looking for a Wisconsin engagement photographer that genuinely LOVES dogs, I am your girl! Please hire me and bring your dog to your session. I even keep treats in my car! You can learn more about what working together could look like through this link.

Faq’s About Dog Engagement Pictures

Can You Include Dogs In Engagement Photos Even if They Aren’t Trained?

-YES. Some of the most fun engagement photos are the ones that include dogs that are doing their own thing. The chaos is part of the fun. Please bring them regardless and we will figure it out together!

What Should We Bring to a Dog Engagement Session?

-Bring your dogs favorite treats, a leash, water, a bowl, bags, bandanas, props, favorite blanket, toys like frisbee or ball. Just make sure to tire them out before hand though!

Will My Dog Be In The Way for The Rest of The Engagement Photos?

-It really depends on the dog! Worst case scenario you take photos with your dog first and then have your friend come with to take your dog home or hangout with your dog or depending on the dog and weather you could put them in the car for a little bit. Otherwise if we are at an off leash location, it’s so fun to have them just run around and we will take photos and if they end up in some that’s okay! We can also do this if you have a friend or family member with as well.

When Is The Best Time Of Year For Dog Engagement Sessions?

– I’d say either late spring or early fall! Even late summer can be nice too. I love the blooming flowers and comfortable temperatures in late spring and then the tall grass with colors starting to change and the comfortable weather in early fall. Late summer is also nice, especially for beach sessions and if your dog likes the water its always fun to go run in the water at the end of the engagement photoshoot with your dog. For reference Ava and Mason had an early fall engagement session and it was so fun and the weather was perfect!

Do You Charge Extra For Dog Engagement Sessions?

No I don’t!! Just bring the treats, props, toys, and water, and plan for a little extra time.

More Wisconsin Engagement Session Guides

Are you looking for more engagement session inspiration and tips? Check out these Wisconsin engagement session blogs:

-How to Prep for Engagement Photos in Wisconsin?

-Engagement Photoshoot Checklist Guide

-Devils Lake State Park Engagement Photos

-How I Help Couples Feel Comfortable in Front of The Camera

Book Your Dog Friendly Engagement Session With Jessica Frigge Photography

If this blog has gotten you excited about including your dog in your engagement photos, I’d love to be your photographer! I’m Jessica, a Racine, Wisconsin based engagement and wedding photographer who really LOVES dogs and helping couples create their dream engagement shoot that feels like them. I also have a super energetic dog of my own named Lulu, so I am familiar!

Whether you want to shoot in a field you walk your dog all the time, a dog friendly park near Milwaukee, a beach that allows dogs on leash like Kohler Andrae, a state park that allows dogs off leash in certain pet friendly areas like Devils Lake State Park or Harrington Beach State Park, or even an engagement session at home, I’m here for it all!

You can check out my couples or engagement portfolio to see more of my work, read about 3 ideas for making your couples session feel like you, and reach out here to chat about your dream engagement session!