So what happens at a scruffy dog session?
Each SDP session is relatively organic and easy-going, in keeping with the more natural, casual style of my photography. Along with my camera gear, I bring wholesome treats and engaging toys for your dog or cat, along with plenty of experience and patience.
Each session is structured around the kind of final artwork and products you are after, and of course, built around your individual pet, their personality, confidence, energy level and mood of the day. As such, sessions can last anywhere from a 1/2 hour to 3+ hours … but no matter the session, your pet will have whatever breaks, play, sniffing and fun they need along the way.
Some dogs are ready to go within minutes. Others need a little time to build confidence around the camera, the shutter sound, a new person, or the whole idea of being photographed. I never rush this process, and I don’t start shooting until your dog is comfortable enough to be themselves.
Have faith … after more than 20 years of photographing pets exclusively, I have plenty of tricks for helping even shy, uncertain, distracted, or wildly enthusiastic dogs settle in and start to radiate their real personality.
Where will the session take place?
Most SDP clients — whether local or coming from the GTA, Hamilton, London, or even the US — prefer to come to the Waterloo Region in order to capitalize on the beautiful locations I have carefully scouted over the years.
All locations are chosen for the variety they can provide us within a short distance so that I am able to produce the greatest variety of images for each client. The goal is to create as much visual variety as possible without exhausting your dog.
Since most dogs do best with natural, available light we are almost always outdoors. As such, weather, season, time of day and location all play an important role in planning your session.
Indoor sessions can also be wonderful, especially for senior pets, cats, puppies, or animals who are most comfortable at home. If we photograph indoors, I may ask you to open curtains and blinds, move a few distracting items, or lightly declutter the areas we’ll be using.
Together, we will choose the best possible location and conditions for your pet and your images.
.jpg)
My dog can’t be trusted off-leash, but I see all the dogs in your photos running free. Can my dog even HAVE a session?
100%. EVERY dog deserves a session! And the truth is, the majority of the dogs you see on the scruffy dog blog and in the portfolio were not actually off-leash! The leashes and lines were removed in post.
.jpg)
But yes, the areas I take clients to when they come for a sessoin are chosen with safety in mind … away from traffic and obvious hazards. And I always bring a selection of long-lines suited to dogs of different sizes, so your scruffy can move, run, explore, and be photographed with a sense of freedom while still staying safely connected.
I will show you how to use these lines during the session so that your dog is comfortable and secure, and able to look as natural as possible in the final images.
But my dog is a nutcase. She’s wild and unruly and doesn’t know sit-stay … or … my dog is shy … or … my dog bites … Can you still photograph them?
Absolutely! No dog is perfect, and your dog does not need to be perfectly trained, perfectly still, or perfectly cooperative to have a scruffy dog session. In fact, formal sit-stay portraits are not what I photograph any way.
I not only take photos of dogs, I know dogs. I’ve worked with shy dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, suspicious dogs, wildly enthusiastic dogs, and dogs who would very much like to speak to management about the entire plan.
Some dogs require extra patience, a little more time, more space, a good walk beforehand, a few more treats, or a slower introduction to the camera. That’s all fine. We work with who they are, not who they “should” be.
My dog is ill and has little time left. Can you fit him into your shooting schedule?
Yes. And please reach out as soon as you can.
Senior pets and animals in failing health are given priority whenever possible. These sessions are what I call Honour Sessions®.
An Honour Session® is not a different style of session. It simply means I will do everything I reasonably can to make room in the schedule, work gently and patiently, and take the time needed to create images that honour your pet’s life, personality, and bond with you.
This is deeply personal to me. After losing my first scruffy far too young, with almost no photographs of him, I know how much these images matter.
Because of that, Honour Sessions® are always given priority on the scruffy dog schedule.
What about travel fees?
All SDP sessions are typically shot at the locations found on the scruffy locations page in the Waterloo region as these have become favorite locations for my clients over the years. However, if you have your own location in mind, let me know. I love exploring new terrain.
.
Will you take photos of me with my pet?
Oh my gosh, yes! I love including clients in a handful of images with their 4-leggers, especially when those photos show the bond, trust, humour, and love you share.
The reason you do not see more people in the scruffy dog portfolio is out of respect for client privacy. That said, the session is still about your pet. Most of the images will focus on them, and I promise the natural lamb-liver treats are intended for Fi-Fi.
If you are looking for a more family-oriented portrait session that happens to include your dog, I would be happy to refer you to a photographer who specializes in people.
Can I buy the digital files of the photos from my shoot?
Yes.
scruffy dog is a full-service photography studio, and the heart of the experience is finished artwork — prints, wall pieces, albums, and other pieces created with care and printed through professional labs.
That said, digital files are absolutely available. All of the scruffy dog collections include digital images, or digital files may also be purchased separately.
The goal is simply to make sure you have the best of both worlds: beautiful finished artwork to enjoy in your home, and digital images for the ways we all share and preserve memories today.
Can I print the digital images myself?
Yes, you can. However, there is a difference between having a digital file and having a finished piece of custom artwork. Every scruffy dog image ordered as artwork is carefully prepared for its final form — whether that is a fine-art print, archival canvas, metal piece, custom-designed album or other product.
Professional printing matters. Colour, contrast, detail, paper choice, finish, and longevity can all vary dramatically from one lab to another. By handling the artwork process myself, I can make sure the final piece reflects the quality, care, and intention behind the image.
You are always welcome to purchase digital files, but the finest finished pieces will come through the scruffy dog process. That is how I can stand behind the finished piece — from the session itself to the artwork you hang on your wall.
How do I book?
I am now accepting only a limited number of sessions each year so that I can give even more time, care, and attention to each client, each session, and every finished image I create.
To start the process, please email me and tell me a little about your 4-legger. I’ll send you the scruffy dog WELCOME GUIDE, which includes full session details, artwork and digital options, pricing, FAQs, and more.
If it feels like the right fit, we’ll choose a session date and go from there.
I look forward to hearing about your scruffy!
My bottom line
I am not satisfied until you are absolutely thrilled with your images, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure that the memories I have captured of your pet are ones which you will cherish for a lifetime.
.jpg)
If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a line!
.png "line"){kind=small}
All written content and photos copyright to Illona Haus, scruffy dog photography.
DO NOT COPY or use the content of this FAQ or website in any way.
Any form of copying or plagiarism will be thoroughly pursued by our attorneys.
