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Your FAQs Answered...
What should I bring for my pet?
I recommend you bring whatever you would bring if you were going for a walk – plus plenty of extra high value treats (not messy ones though!)
- Collar & lead
- High value treats e.g. tiny pieces of chicken or cheese
- Favourite toy / ball / frisbee
- Dog poo bags
- Clicker if you use one in training
Do I need to bring anything for myself?
Particularly if you are planning an outdoor farm walk session it is worth making sure you come prepared. I suggest the following:
- Good pair of walking boots/wellies than you don’t mind getting mucky and wet
- Clothing appropriate for the weather – rain gear / sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Drinking water and snacks for yourself if you think you may need them
- if you plan to be in the photos please read the Preparation Guide for outfit suggestions.
Can I be in the photo too?
Yes, I am happy for you and your close family and friends to be in the photo alongside your pet. Additional charges may apply for each extra subject depending on the package you have chosen.
I have two pets - is that twice the price?
All my pet packages with a session time of one hour or more, include two pets and two people. The time allocated for the session is divided between them and I can try to get some shots will all of you together. Additional subjects can be added to other packages for €30 each. This covers the additional editing.
Does my dog need to be on a lead?
Yes, Annaharvey Farm is a busy Equestrian Centre and also a working farm with lots of horses, calves, dogs and cats around so for safety reasons it is important that visiting dogs are kept under control. Even the most well behaved dogs can get distracted in such a busy new environment.
When out in the fields it may be possible to let well trained dogs with a reliable recall off lead for short periods. However, this cannot be guaranteed as it may depend on what other animals are nearby at that particular time.
I will show you how to hold the lead so I can easily edit it out later. I also have a simple slip collar which can be used for most dogs for easy editing to get a more natural look. I also have a long line we can use if outdoors and want to allow the dog to run further.
My dog is very nervous - will you still be able to photograph her?
I will always do as much as possible to make every animal feel relaxed and happy during a session. I try to make sessions fun, with lots of rewards and breaks. Having said that, please do let me know in advance if you have any concerns about how your dog may react. Often it just takes some time and patience to make the dog feel safe and build the trust. Do bring your dog’s favourite treats which can help to get the dog into a suitable position for a photograph.
I have more that one dog - can you photograph them together?
If you have more than one dog at a session, I will try to capture them together in one image. How successful this is can depend on the particular dogs. If it doesn’t work in studio I can try my best to put them together when editing later.
My pet won't sit still - can you still photograph him?
Yes, of course. I use a Canon camera built for speed which is capable of shooting up to 20 frames per second! I only need some patience and a split second to get a good shot. I have years of experience shooting galloping horses so am very familiar with shooting fast moving animals.
If you have a very high energy dog do give him some exercise before you arrive for the session so he will settle quicker – just avoid wearing him out completely, especially with pups and young dogs.
