Your Burning Questions About Booking a Pet Photographer, Answered

If you've been scrolling through my gallery, saving photos, and thinking "I want this for me and my dog" - but then talking yourself out of it before you even reach out - this one is for you. I get asked the same questions all the time, and honestly, I love it. It tells me that people care deeply about getting this right. So I've pulled together the questions I hear most often and answered them all in one place, because booking a pet photography session should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

A finished wall gallery display featuring framed dog portraits in a cozy, neutral home interior.

"How Much Does a Pet Photography Session Cost?"

This is usually the first question people ask, and it's a fair one. Pet photography is an investment, and I want you to go in with clear expectations.

The cost of your session depends on the package you choose. Each package determines how many images you receive, and every image that gets printed also comes with its digital file. You'll also have the option to purchase additional prints or files from your gallery if you fall in love with more than you expected (which happens a lot!).

My goal is to create beautiful artwork you can hang in your home, hold in your hands, and love every single day. That's what shapes how I price this work - it's not just a photo session, it's a finished piece of art made specifically for you and your dog.

A dog running at golden hour on a New England beach with soft, warm light behind them.

"What Are the Best Locations for a Dog Photography Session?"

Location makes such a difference, and choosing the right one is part of the session planning process we do together.

I photograph at sunrise or sunset to make the most of natural, golden-hour light - so timing matters just as much as place. Whether you're near the coast, a local trail, a mountain summit, or even your backyard, wherever holds meaning for you and your pup, we'll find a spot that fits your vision.

Some areas I work in and around include:

Wells Beach and York Beach, ME
Kennebunk, Kittery, and Berwick, ME
Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, and Hampton, NH

If you're in coastal New England and wondering where to take photos with your dog, chances are I already have a location in mind. We'll talk through it together during our planning call.

Have a different idea or location in mind? Reach out! I am always looking for new spots to photograph!

"How Did You Get Into Pet Photography?"

This question means a lot to me every time someone asks it.

In the spring of 2020, I got a puppy named Sweet Pea. I was in a really dark place - my marriage was unraveling, I was isolated, and I was struggling in ways I hadn't expected. Sweet Pea came into my life and completely changed the trajectory of it. Caring for her, walking with her, just being around her gave me a reason to keep going when I needed it most.

She saved my life. I mean that.

Through her, I found pet photography - not just as a creative outlet, but as a way to honor exactly the kind of bond she and I share. I realized how powerful it is to capture these moments before they slip away, and I knew I wanted to do this for other people who feel the same way about their dogs.

That's why I only want to work with people who are absolutely obsessed with their dog. Because I get it completely, and that shared understanding is what makes these sessions feel so different.

A dog mom and her dog walking through a golden-hour field, both looking relaxed and natural.

"How Do I Prepare for My Session?"

You don't have to do as much as you think. Here's what helps:

Bring their favorite toy or treats. Anything that gets your dog's attention or makes them light up is fair game.
Let them burn a little energy beforehand if they tend to be high-energy. A short walk before we meet can go a long way.
Wear something you feel good in. You're in these photos too, and I want you to feel like yourself.
Think about what you want to walk away with. During our planning call, we'll talk through your vision - what matters to you, how you see your dog, what moments you want preserved forever.

The most important thing is just showing up. I'll take it from there.

"What If My Dog Is Reactive, or I Can't Let Them Off Leash?"

This comes up so often, and I want to be really clear: a leash or collar is not a barrier. At all.

I can remove a leash or collar in editing quickly and easily - it's a fast, routine part of my process. So if you've been looking at my photos thinking your dog has to be off leash to get results like that, please let go of that worry right now. It's simply not true.

I also want you to know that I've photographed:

Reactive dogs - we plan for it and work with it
Senior dogs who move slowly and aren't interested in performing
Dogs who are deaf or blind - some of the most meaningful sessions I've ever had
Rambunctious puppies who never stop wiggling

Your dog doesn't need to know how to sit, stay, or do a single trick. I don't need a well-trained dog. I need your dog to just be themselves - because that's exactly what makes the images worth keeping forever.

A senior dog resting in soft natural light, photographed with quiet closeness and warmth.

"What If My Dog Doesn't Sit or Stay?"

Honestly? Some of my favorite images come from dogs who have absolutely no interest in staying still.

The wiggling, the mid-air leaps, the zoomies, the dramatic flops - those are the real moments. Those are the ones that end up on walls. I don't want a stiff, posed dog. I want your dog.

So if you've been hesitating because your pup is chaotic and goofy and a little unpredictable... book the session. That energy is exactly what I'm here for.

"What Does the Whole Process Look Like?"

Inquiry - You reach out and we start the conversation.
Intake call and session planning - We get to know each other. We talk about your dog, your vision, your location, your date and time. I learn how you see your dog and what you want to walk away with.
The session - We meet at sunrise or sunset and make magic happen.
Editing - I spend about two weeks editing your gallery with care.
Ordering appointment - We go through your images together and choose what you want to print and keep.
Final edits and print orders - Your chosen prints are sent off for production with final edits approved.
Delivery - Your order is either shipped directly to you or delivered when it comes in.
Review - I ask for your feedback, because your experience genuinely matters to me.

Every part of this process is designed to make you feel taken care of - from the first message to the moment your artwork arrives at your door.

Young playful puppies running during golden hour sunset.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Book

If fall is on your mind - and that crispness is already starting to creep into the air - I want you to know that this season is one of the most beautiful times to photograph your dog.

The light gets softer. The colors are unreal. And every year I hear from people who wish they had done this sooner.

Your dog is living their best chapter right now. The gray hairs, the favorite spot on the couch, the way they look up at you on a morning walk - those details are already worth preserving. You don't have to wait for a milestone or a "better time." This moment, exactly as it is, is already worth remembering forever.

My biggest advice: choose a photographer whose work genuinely moves you. Someone whose images make you feel something before you've even met them. Someone who already understands what your dog means to you without needing it explained.

I'd love for that person to be me.

Ready to Book Your Session?

If you've been sitting with these questions and the answers have helped you feel more ready, I'd love to hear from you. Head over to alyshapriscillaphotography.com to reach out and start the conversation.

We'll talk about your dog, find the perfect location, and start planning a session that gives you something to treasure forever.

Sweet Pea taught me what it means to have a dog change your whole world. I get to spend my days helping other dog moms preserve that same kind of love - and honestly, I wouldn't want to do anything else.

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Your Burning Questions About Booking a Pet Photographer, Answered

Your Burning Questions About Booking a Pet Photographer, Answered

"How Much Does a Pet Photography Session Cost?"

This is usually the first question people ask, and it's a fair one. Pet photography is an investment, and I want you to go in with clear expectations.

My goal is to create beautiful artwork you can hang in your home, hold in your hands, and love every single day. That's what shapes how I price this work - it's not just a photo session, it's a finished piece of art made specifically for you and your dog.

"What Are the Best Locations for a Dog Photography Session?"

Location makes such a difference, and choosing the right one is part of the session planning process we do together.

I photograph at sunrise or sunset to make the most of natural, golden-hour light - so timing matters just as much as place. Whether you're near the coast, a local trail, a mountain summit, or even your backyard, wherever holds meaning for you and your pup, we'll find a spot that fits your vision.

Some areas I work in and around include:

Wells Beach and York Beach, ME

Kennebunk, Kittery, and Berwick, ME

Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, and Hampton, NH

If you're in coastal New England and wondering where to take photos with your dog, chances are I already have a location in mind. We'll talk through it together during our planning call.

Have a different idea or location in mind? Reach out! I am always looking for new spots to photograph!

"How Did You Get Into Pet Photography?"

This question means a lot to me every time someone asks it.

She saved my life. I mean that.

Through her, I found pet photography - not just as a creative outlet, but as a way to honor exactly the kind of bond she and I share. I realized how powerful it is to capture these moments before they slip away, and I knew I wanted to do this for other people who feel the same way about their dogs.

That's why I only want to work with people who are absolutely obsessed with their dog. Because I get it completely, and that shared understanding is what makes these sessions feel so different.

"How Do I Prepare for My Session?"

You don't have to do as much as you think. Here's what helps:

Bring their favorite toy or treats. Anything that gets your dog's attention or makes them light up is fair game.

Let them burn a little energy beforehand if they tend to be high-energy. A short walk before we meet can go a long way.

Wear something you feel good in. You're in these photos too, and I want you to feel like yourself.

Think about what you want to walk away with. During our planning call, we'll talk through your vision - what matters to you, how you see your dog, what moments you want preserved forever.

The most important thing is just showing up. I'll take it from there.

"What If My Dog Is Reactive, or I Can't Let Them Off Leash?"

This comes up so often, and I want to be really clear: a leash or collar is not a barrier. At all.

I can remove a leash or collar in editing quickly and easily - it's a fast, routine part of my process. So if you've been looking at my photos thinking your dog has to be off leash to get results like that, please let go of that worry right now. It's simply not true.

I also want you to know that I've photographed:

Reactive dogs - we plan for it and work with it

Senior dogs who move slowly and aren't interested in performing

Dogs who are deaf or blind - some of the most meaningful sessions I've ever had

Rambunctious puppies who never stop wiggling

Your dog doesn't need to know how to sit, stay, or do a single trick. I don't need a well-trained dog. I need your dog to just be themselves - because that's exactly what makes the images worth keeping forever.

"What If My Dog Doesn't Sit or Stay?"

Honestly? Some of my favorite images come from dogs who have absolutely no interest in staying still.

The wiggling, the mid-air leaps, the zoomies, the dramatic flops - those are the real moments. Those are the ones that end up on walls. I don't want a stiff, posed dog. I want your dog.

So if you've been hesitating because your pup is chaotic and goofy and a little unpredictable... book the session. That energy is exactly what I'm here for.

"What Does the Whole Process Look Like?"

Inquiry - You reach out and we start the conversation.

Intake call and session planning - We get to know each other. We talk about your dog, your vision, your location, your date and time. I learn how you see your dog and what you want to walk away with.

The session - We meet at sunrise or sunset and make magic happen.

Editing - I spend about two weeks editing your gallery with care.

Ordering appointment - We go through your images together and choose what you want to print and keep.

Final edits and print orders - Your chosen prints are sent off for production with final edits approved.

Delivery - Your order is either shipped directly to you or delivered when it comes in.

Review - I ask for your feedback, because your experience genuinely matters to me.

Every part of this process is designed to make you feel taken care of - from the first message to the moment your artwork arrives at your door.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Book

If fall is on your mind - and that crispness is already starting to creep into the air - I want you to know that this season is one of the most beautiful times to photograph your dog.

The light gets softer. The colors are unreal. And every year I hear from people who wish they had done this sooner.

My biggest advice: choose a photographer whose work genuinely moves you. Someone whose images make you feel something before you've even met them. Someone who already understands what your dog means to you without needing it explained.

I'd love for that person to be me.

Ready to Book Your Session?

If you've been sitting with these questions and the answers have helped you feel more ready, I'd love to hear from you. Head over to alyshapriscillaphotography.com to reach out and start the conversation.

We'll talk about your dog, find the perfect location, and start planning a session that gives you something to treasure forever.

Sweet Pea taught me what it means to have a dog change your whole world. I get to spend my days helping other dog moms preserve that same kind of love - and honestly, I wouldn't want to do anything else.

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