Why You Should Bring Your Dog to Your Colorado Photo Session
If you’re planning a photo session here in Colorado, you might be wondering whether to bring your dog along.
It’s one of the most common questions I get—and almost always, the answer is yes.
A lot of people worry their dog will be too much or cause problems. And of course, it’s your call. But honestly, they usually end up being one of the best parts of the session.
They’re part of your family. And in a place like Colorado, they belong out there with you.
And for what it’s worth—I’m a dog guy. I’ve been called the dog whisperer more than a few times. I’m a firm believer that dogs read energy well. You can learn a lot about a person by how a dog responds to them.
Colorado Is Basically Dog Paradise
One of the best parts about living here is how much of life happens outside.
Trails, rivers, mountains, pine forests, open space—it’s all right there. A dog’s version of heaven. And if you’ve spent any time out in it, you know they’re completely at home.
They’re not an add-on to your life in Colorado.
They’re part of how you experience it.
So when it comes to photos, it just makes sense to include them in a place they already belong.
They’re Part of Your Family
A lot of people ask if they should bring their dog, like it’s optional.
But for most families I work with, it’s not really a question.
They’ve been there through different seasons of life—before kids, alongside them, growing with your family in their own way.
You Don’t Know What They’ll Do Next
Dogs don’t follow a script.
They’re going to sniff things, wander a little, look the wrong direction, get excited at the wrong time.
And honestly, that’s where a lot of the magic comes from.
When kids run around with them…
when they give you an unexpected lick across the face
Those are the moments that feel real.
Not posed. Not forced. Just happening.
They Actually Help Everyone Relax
One of the biggest concerns people have is that bringing their dog will make things more stressful.
In reality, it’s usually the opposite.
Dogs give you something familiar to focus on.
They break up that “what do I do with my hands” feeling.
They pull you out of your head a bit.
Instead of overthinking everything, you’re just interacting—walking, playing, scratching behind their ears.
And that shift is usually when things start to click.
They Don’t Have to Be in Every Photo
This part matters.
Bringing your dog doesn’t mean they need to be in every single frame.
Just like kids, they can take breaks.
I’m always happy to hold the leash for a bit
A friend or family member can step in
We can rotate them in and out naturally
It keeps things flexible, easy, and low-pressure.
For Elopements, They Can Be Part of the Day Too
This goes beyond family sessions.
For elopements, dogs can play a really meaningful role:
walking with you to your ceremony spot
being part of those quieter moments before or after
even carrying the rings
And in Colorado, you can self-solemnize—meaning your dog can technically be your witness.
Which feels pretty fitting, honestly.
They Add Personality You Can’t Fake
Every dog has their own quirks.
The way they sit next to you.
The way they look at you.
The way they run.
Those little things add something you just can’t manufacture.
They make the photos feel less like a staged version of life and more like your actual life.
They Just Make Life Better
At the end of the day, dogs bring something simple but important.
They make things lighter.
More playful.
More present.
More joyful and fun.
If your dog is part of your life, they belong in your photos.
After all, they are our best friends and are with us through thick and thin.
