One of the most common concerns people have before booking a portrait session for their dog is:

“My dog won’t stay still.”

It’s an understandable worry. Most of us are used to seeing perfectly posed dogs in photographs and assume that's how the session has to go.

The reality, however, is quite different.

I photograph dogs from Sunbury, Melbourne, and surrounding areas including Gisborne, Macedon, and Woodend.

Many owners are surprised to learn that dogs don’t need to sit still for long periods of time to have beautiful portraits created.

During outdoor sessions, most dogs remain on lead. This keeps them safe and allows everyone to relax.

Abi B Photography sessions are designed around your dog’s needs. They’re given regular breaks so they can move around, reset, and then settle again.

Abi B Photography sessions are designed around your dog’s needs. They’re given regular breaks so they can move around, reset, and then settle again.

The goal isn’t perfection, it's capturing them as they are.

During the editing process I remove the lead so the final portrait looks natural and uncluttered, with the focus entirely on your dog.

This approach means that even dogs who are curious, energetic, reactive, or easily distracted can still have beautiful portraits created of them.

Your dog doesn't need to be perfectly trained, they just need to be themselves.

What A Typical Session Looks Like

Abi B Photography portrait sessions take place in my Sunbury studio or outdoors in and around Sunbury.

Studio sessions are calm and structured around your dog’s needs. We work in short bursts so dogs are never expected to sit still for long periods of time. They're given regular breaks to move around, reset, and relax before we continue.

Some dogs settle really quickly, while others take a bit longer to feel comfortable in a new space. Both are completely normal, and sessions are always paced around what each dog needs.

Outdoor sessions work in a similar way, although most dogs remain on lead for safety. The lead is later removed during editing so the final portrait looks clean and natural.

A Quick Reminder About Dear Dog

If you've been following my social media posts, you'll already have read about the Dear Dog project.

Dear Dog is a portrait book celebrating the connection between people and their dogs, and I'm currently looking for Melbourne dog parents who would like to be part of it.

Participants will enjoy a portrait session in my Sunbury studio and receive an 8×10 fine art matted portrait, my gift to you. What's more, your dog will be featured in the book.

The $55 session fee is donated to Starting Over Dog Rescue to support their work helping dogs find loving homes.

Applications are now open.

Apply here:
https://abibphotography.com.au/promotion/