Why Exercise Before a Photo Shoot Can Make or Break Your Dog’s Photos
You know that thing your dog does when you finally unclip the lead after a car ride? The spontaneous, gravity-defying zoomies? The “I AM SPEED” laps that make you question whether you accidentally adopted a greyhound instead of a cavoodle?
That, my friend, is either your best friend or your worst nightmare on photo day.
Here’s why!
Preparing Your Dog for a Photo Shoot
As a Gold Coast pet photographer, I’ve seen every type of dog personality in front of the lens — from the dignified senior who could sit for hours to the puppy who thinks posing is a contact sport.
One of the biggest factors that can make or break your session is whether your dog has exercised before the shoot. And the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.
When Pre-Shoot Exercise is a Good Idea
If you’re looking for some gorgeous posed portraits in a studio style setting — the kind where your dog looks like a dignified canine model (even if ten minutes ago they ate a tissue) — you want them calm and focused.
Why? Because a dog that’s had their zoomies out is:
More likely to follow commands like “sit” and “stay.”
Less likely to fidget, bark at shadows, or nose-dive into nibbling on my lighting equipment.
More comfortable holding a pose long enough to get that perfect head tilt or soulful gaze.
Dog photography tip: For studio sessions, a walk, a few rounds of fetch, or some backyard playtime beforehand can help your dog relax. Just avoid exhausting them to the point of heavy panting — unless you want all their portraits to feature the “just ran a marathon” tongue-out look.
When to Skip the Workout Before a Pet Photo Shoot
If your goal is action photography — think beach runs, frisbee catches, or bounding through the shallows — you want your dog fresh, full of beans, and maybe even a little bit wild.
A pre-shoot workout can leave them:
Sluggish instead of spring-loaded.
More interested in sniffing than sprinting.
Ready for a nap instead of a leap.
For these sessions, I want that raw, joyful, let’s GO energy. It’s the difference between a gallery of gentle trots and one filled with superhero-level leaps.
Gold Coast Dog Photography: Getting the Best of Both Worlds
Not sure which type of shoot is right for you? Think about the personality you want to capture. A calm, majestic portrait? Let’s burn off that excess energy. A wild, candid, joy-filled adventure? Save the exercise for the shoot, when they can collapse in the car afterwards dreaming of treats.
Final Word from Your Gold Coast Pet Photographer
Whether we’re aiming for serene studio portraits or epic action shots, the right pre-shoot plan will help us capture your dog exactly how you’re wanting to remember them — personality, quirks, and all.
So, leash up or lie low — either way, we’ll make magic.