Abi B Photography Session Guide

Animals can sense our emotions, so every session is designed around your pet. Sessions are calm and unhurried, giving them the opportunity to feel safe and happy throughout.

If your pet knows cues such as sit, stay or drop, feel free to practise them at home beforehand, especially if there’s something you’d like them to do during their session. If they don’t, that’s not a problem. I have my ways of helping them out.

Grooming Tips

Have your dog groomed one to two weeks before your session. For fluffy dogs, ensure the fur around their eyes is trimmed. If your dog is clipped, doing this a week or two beforehand will help reduce the appearance of clipping marks and lines.

Bath and brush them the day before your session. Baths can lead to shedding, so give them a good brush right before the session to remove any stray hairs.

What To Wear

Wear clothing that is neutral and comfortable. Plain tones such as black, white, cream, beige or soft earthy shades photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your pet.

Try to avoid bright colours, large logos, and patterns such as stripes, checks and spots, as these can be distracting.

Choose a look that feels natural and comfortable for you.

Arriving At The Studio

You're welcome to park on the grass nature strip on either side of the studio driveway. Please avoid parking beyond the tree or in either driveway. Thank you.

On The Day Of Your Portrait Session

Bring along some treats that your pet loves and their favourite toy. These help us capture their attention.

If you would like your pet to wear a collar during their session, ensure it is clean and fits well. It is fine for your pet to remain on lead with a collar, as I can edit the lead out later if necessary. Where possible, avoid harnesses, as these will not be edited out of portraits.

For dogs, a short walk beforehand can help them settle. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much exercise can lead to panting throughout the session.

If there is anything else you would like included in your portraits, feel free to bring it with you.

What Happens Next?

Around two weeks after your session, we'll meet online or in person for a relaxed, personalised viewing and ordering appointment. This is where you'll see your images for the first time, a mix of quiet moments, beautiful details, and the expressions that make them who they are.

Together, we'll talk through how you'd like to enjoy your portraits, a striking piece for your wall, a folio display box to revisit often, or a montage that tells more of the story.

Displaying Your Portraits

Once your session is over, it's time to plan where your artwork will live. A few things to consider:

• Where would I like to display my artwork?
• What size space am I working with?
• Do I want one piece, or a few?
• A single statement piece, or a collage?
• Framed, canvas or metal?

If there’s anything you’re unsure about before your session, just get in touch. I’m always happy to help.