Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
I’ve long preached the importance of taking photos with your family. You don’t HAVE to take professional photos, you can use your timer and take your own (I do that too). I like to have professional pics done because I don’t take photos as well as they do, I don’t know how to edit, and lets face it, it’s also less stressful for me. I don’t have to worry that I got the perfect shot, or that I can’t get everyone to smile at the same time (especially if I am trying to get into the photo), and then there’s the problem of cutting back the number of photos. Photographers are hard on their work and aren’t emotionally attached to your child’s face. They choose the best photos of the set (even outtakes) and present only those to you, making your life easier. I have enough trouble bringing together outfits for the family that “coordinate” and don’t “match”. This stresses me out in a way only a few understand.
Recently I’ve come to realize another layer of these photos which I want to bring light to. When you have those professional photos taken, or take your own. Please find a way to include your pets. I’ve taken snapshots of our family pups here and there for years but it wasn’t until 3 years ago that we thought to bring our pup to our family holiday photo shoot. The photos were amazing and it quickly became our tradition.
(Photo Credit: Kennedy Grey Photography)
Boy am I glad it did. This past summer we suffered immense loss when our 12 year old chocolate lab left us, followed almost a month to the day by our 15.5 year old mini-dachshund. Although we knew it was coming, it was still one of the hardest thing we have ever had to go through as a family. The kids now old enough to understand were also heart broken. Its those photos that we look at fondly and remember them while we talk about the silly things that they did.
(Photo Credit: Marco Farsetta Photography)
(Photo Credit: Marco Farsetta Photography)
Which brings me to my point. Take photos WITH your pet. Not just of your pet. I know that when people DO take professional photos, they are reluctant to bring them, because the photos may not come out “perfect”. It’s just another variable. Here’s something to help ease your mind. OUR (RNYM) photographers are all great at capturing your furry loves- so here’s our directory PHOTOGRAPHERS DIRECTORY. In fact, they also love to be challenged, have a less traditional pet? They have experience there too, give it a try.
I believe in this so deeply right now that after a month of a pup-less home we decided to foster (quickly followed by adoption) two black lab sisters. A side note for those who may be interested, we worked with Animal Rescue R Us, out of Northern Jersey. When we first got them they were 9 weeks old. With our kids the ages that they are right now (5 and 8) these are likely the pups they will remember. They get to grow up together. I vowed to take photos of them as just pups and with us, the kids, the family, and to continue to as they grow.
We weren’t ready to share the news with everyone yet, just sent some pics to a few, one of whom was IC You Photography‘s Isabella. She is an AVID animal lover and DEMANDED that we bring them in for a shoot, before they were too big. To commemorate the first milestone, oh and bring the kids too. So not knowing I went.
I watched in amazement as she was able to get 10 week old pups to sit, sleep, stay, and so much more. I cried as I knew we were making memories of the pets my family will cherish for the next 10-20 years. I reveled in the happiness that Isabella showed on her face as she worked with both kids and dogs, snuggling all of them. Listened to her ideas and chuckled thinking it was the cutest thing I had ever seen.
Meet Sasha
Meet Camy
We spoke throughout about how it was very good for the puppies to be handled, and socialized not only to Isabella, but her pups in the other room. Gambet even came in to say hi :o). We discussed that No she could not have one of our dogs, and the rescue that we worked with to adopt them. She snapped away and I didn’t even catch everything that she was doing.
Isabella even took the time to take a pic or two of my monkeys alone. Love this one especially cause Little Miss just learned how to snap, and won’t stop. Check out her fingers <3
I’m so very glad that we did it, and look forward to bringing them to many shoots to come. It also spurred the new promotion that Isabella is doing where she will offer discounted “Pet Portraits” for those rescuing pups.
It’s important, in my opinion, when you choose a photographer that you try to bring your “whole” family along. I know that ALL of our directory members are happy to work with family pets. If you are looking for a way to incorporate them but aren’t looking for a full photo shoot- the Palisades Mall does have pet days with Santa which we did take advantage of a few times and loved. I am so super thankful for these photos being in my life. I look forward to documenting their milestones to come together.