“But My Dog Can’t Be Off-Leash!” Myths About Outdoor Photos, Busted
Victoria BC dog photographer explains why the great outdoors is a great option for your dog’s photos, no matter their behaviour.
Now that the days are growing longer and warmer in Victoria, everyone wants to be outdoors, including our dogs! If you’ve ever seen dreamy photos of dogs bounding through a field or cuddling up to their humans under golden sunlight and thought, “That’s beautiful… but my dog could never do that,” — this one’s for you.
As a pet photographer and lifelong dog lover, I hear this kind of thing all the time:
“My dog can’t be off-leash.”
“They’re too energetic.”
“She won’t sit still.”
“He’s reactive around other dogs.”
“They’re not trained enough for something like this.”
Sound familiar?
Let me reassure you: none of those things disqualify your dog from having a fun, beautiful, and meaningful outdoor photo session. In fact, I expect and plan for these very things!
Here’s how we make it work
🦴 “My dog can’t be off-leash.”
Good news: they don’t have to be!
Most of the dogs I photograph stay leashed throughout the entire session. With the right angle, a bit of clever positioning, and a little photo magic, the leash disappears from your final images — but your dog stays safe and secure the whole time.
Bonus: If you have a long lead, that gives us even more flexibility to capture action shots and those adventurous-looking moments without any actual risk.
🐾 “My dog is too hyper / won’t sit still.”
You know what? That energy is part of what makes your dog them.
Instead of fighting it, we work with it. We’ll give your dog time to sniff, explore, run, and get comfortable. I’ll guide you through games, prompts, and poses that don’t require perfect stillness — just presence.
And in between the zoomies? We often catch those quiet little moments that are pure gold.
🐶 “My dog is reactive or nervous around strangers or other dogs.”
That’s 100% okay.
My own dog can be anxious and reactive so I’m always aware of our surroundings. I know dozens of locations in Victoria that are quiet and low-traffic and I know the best time to visit these spots! If your dog needs more space or time to warm up, we go at their pace. I’m always happy to adapt the session to suit their comfort level.
Your dog’s well-being comes first — always.
🌳 “My dog’s not trained enough for this.”
Your dog doesn’t need to be a polished show dog.
They just need to be themselves. My approach isn’t about rigid posing or perfect obedience — it’s about connection, personality, and genuine moments between you and your dog. Some of the most heartfelt images come from the unscripted stuff.
❤️ The Truth Is...
You don’t need a “perfect” dog to have beautiful photos.
You just need your dog — exactly as they are, right now, in this season of your life together.
Whether they’re wild, wiggly, worried, or a little bit of everything, we’ll create images that celebrate your bond and tell your story. Outdoor sessions are flexible, natural, and designed to bring out the best in your pup.
So if you’ve been holding back because you’re not sure your dog can “do it,” I promise: they can. And I’d be honored to show you just how special they (and you!) truly are.
Curious about what an outdoor session could look like for your pup?
Let’s chat. I’m happy to answer questions, suggest calm locations, or talk through what would make your dog feel most at ease.
📸🐕 Because every dog deserves their day in the sun — leash and all.