The Best Days and Times for Your Pet Photography Session

One of the first steps in scheduling your pet photography session is choosing a date, time, and location for it. With that, I am often asked what the best days and times are for pet portraits. The answer is not definite as one may think. There are two main points as well as several individual considerations you must think about before we get your session on my calendar.

the Best days

The best day to schedule…well, that depends largely on the location of your session. While many people opt for weekends since they are off work, Saturdays and Sundays are particularly popular options; however, they’re not always the best if your session is planned in a park or public area that tends to attract weekend crowds. In those instances, weekdays or mornings may work better because we can time your session early enough to beat the weekend rush.

The best times

Sunrise and just before sunset (about two hours before) are the best times of day to capture the most beautifully lit images of your pet. At those times, the light is most even and shadows aren’t as harsh as they are during midday, for instance. Overcast days, however, do offer more flexibility in terms of your session time, but you won’t get that rich golden hour light produced in early morning or evening.

American Quarter Horse by a sunlit fence in a field

final considerations

During your consultation and with the help of the information you provide to me on your pre-session questionnaire, we will determine the best day and time for your session based on a few additional considerations. To start, you should ask yourself the following:

  • What is the look and feel I’d like from my location (uptown urban, rural and rustic, etc.)?
  • What type of images do I want to create? This will help me determine if a potential location is feasible in relation to your expectations.
  • What is the demeanor of my dog? Shy, nervous, or reactive dogs may require us to look at earlier times or less busy days, depending on the location we choose.

I am happy to offer my recommendations on what may work best for your four-legged friend; however, if you have a special spot in mind, I am always willing to assess it and offer my professional opinion as it pertains to your upcoming pet photography session.


If you would like to book a Bark & Gold Photography session for your pet, click here or give me a call at 724-913-BARK (2275). For more information on Bark & Gold Photography sessions, visit “Your Session” in the menu.

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