Recommended Types of Collars for Your Dog’s Photography Session

A collar seems like the smallest detail in the room, until you’re looking at a wall-worthy print and can’t stop staring at the buckle.

It’s one of the first things most clients ask about once they book a session, and for good reason: it’s a small decision that has an outsized effect on the final portrait. Some collars photograph beautifully. Others fight the shot at every angle. Here’s what I actually recommend, and why.

Flat Collars

Flat collars are the reliable, no-drama option, and they’re still my default recommendation for most dogs. They photograph cleanly and come in every color and pattern imaginable, so finding one that suits your dog isn’t hard.

One thing worth knowing: collars stay in every photo. Leashes get removed in post-processing, but collars don’t, so whatever your dog is wearing needs to be something you actually love, tags included.

If you’re planning to add a bandana, bow tie, or collar flower, a flat collar is usually your easiest base. Just pay attention to the width, especially with bandanas, so the accessory sits right and doesn’t bunch or slide.

Martingale Collars

For sighthounds or any dog with a talent for backing out of a collar, a martingale is often the safer bet. It has two loops: a larger one around the neck and a smaller one that tightens gently if your dog pulls.

The tradeoff is that the extra loop needs to stay positioned behind the dog, not off to the side or up front. If it ends up in the wrong spot, it can show in the shot, and it’s not always something I can clean up afterward. Not a dealbreaker, just something to be aware of.

Buckleless Collars

If you like the simplicity of a flat collar but aren’t a fan of how the buckle looks in photos, a buckleless collar is a nice middle ground. It’s essentially one continuous loop that adjusts to fit, no hardware to work around.

These are genuinely one of my favorite collar styles to photograph. No buckle means no awkward angle where it catches the light wrong or interrupts the line of the neck.

Beaded Collars

For something a little more distinctive, I always point clients toward Hypnotic Dog, a husband-and-wife company out of Southern California making handmade collars from acrylic resin, ceramic, semi-precious stone, and wood beads. Their designs range from bold and playful to genuinely elegant, and they photograph beautifully.

My favorite detail is the O-ring closure, which is their most popular option. It has the look of a martingale’s chain and buckle, but with the added security of knowing your dog isn’t going to slip out mid-session. Worth remembering: no collar should ever be chosen for looks over safety. Function first, always.

Tips for Ensuring Your Dog’s Collar Photographs Well

As you go about selecting a collar for your dog’s session, remember that it will photograph best if it:

• Is clean and well-fitted. A dirty or loose collar is hard to fix after the fact.
• Complements your dog’s coloring and the location. Skip anything overly bright, busy, or covered in logos or text.
• Complements what you’re wearing, if you’re planning to be in any of the photos too.
• Doesn’t come with multiple tags dangling from it. A jingling cluster of them pulls focus away from your dog’s face.

None of this needs to be complicated. You don’t need to necessarily buy something new, track down a specific brand, or agonize over the “right” choice. Pick something clean, well-fitting, and true to your dog’s personality, and it’ll photograph just fine.

If you’re torn between a few options, bring them all to the session. It costs nothing to have choices on hand, and I’ll help you land on the one that works best once we’re actually in the light and can see how it sits. The collar is a detail, not the decision that makes or breaks the portrait. That part’s on me.

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If you’re planning a session and want to talk through the details (collars included), I’m all ears. Choose your preferred contact method.