Autumn is a great time to schedule a custom portrait session. Fall portrait sessions offer several advantages: beautiful autumn colors, soft light, and cooler temperatures for the dogs. This time of year provides the perfect setting for a dark-colored dog who will not only will appreciate the chilly fall air, but look spectacular against the foliage.
That’s why I was thrilled when Keel’s owner contacted me about doing a portrait session for Keel and the family last year. During our pre-session consultation, we discussed when she wanted to schedule her session, who we would be photographing, the best location, and the best time of day. Finally, we spoke about how she wanted to display her final artwork after the session.
The pre-session consultation is one of the most important parts of working with my clients. The client and I can discuss their purpose for the session and any specific needs or requirements for the session itself. This allows me to make suggestions on how we can achieve these goals and fulfill the requirements based on my experience.
For this session Meredith had two goals she wanted to achieve: first to create beautiful portraits of her beloved young Newfoundland, Keel and second portraits of the whole family together. Based on her goals, our schedules, and what would best suit Keel, we held our portrait session one brisk fall morning.
The season suited him—and I really think he appreciated the cooler temperatures. Being a show dog, Keel was an awesome subject, strutting his stuff and showing off how handsome he is. The vibrant yellow and oranges of the fall foliage created a bright, colorful backdrop that contrasted beautifully with Keel’s black coat. The gentler fall light really showed the depth, texture, and softness of his coat.
After a bit, we moved down the field and found some bright greens that created a different look for a few of Keel’s portraits. These portraits were less seasonal, more timeless outdoors shots.
One of Meredith’s goals for this session was to create family portraits. During the pre-session consult one the topics we discussed was what to wear for the session. Selecting the right clothing for your session will improve the look of your portraits.
Meredith did a great job working with the rest of her family members to choose outfits that created a cohesive look for the final portraits
If you would like to talk about holding a portrait session for your canine companion and family, please get in touch.
