A Different Kind of Holiday Photoshoot
The holidays don’t have to be boring or polished. Sometimes all you need is a couple of handmade Christmas frames, a group of dedicated volunteers, and a bunch of dogs who absolutely do NOT care about posing perfectly. (You can find the adorable photos at the bottom of this post!)
Last weekend at Rocket Dog Rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area, two fellow volunteers built the cutest Christmas frames, and we spent the afternoon photographing adoptable pups sticking their heads through and generally doing their own thing. It was sliiiiightly chaotic, which was perfect! The Christmas frames were cute, but the real highlight of the day was the treats, generously donated by Marin Raw, which immediately became everyone’s top priority.
Some dogs politely waited to peek their head through.. Others tried to jump and squeeze their entire body through the frame. A few decided the frame itself was deeply suspicious. Every dog brought their own personality to the setup. A session like this isn’t about perfect posing, it’s about capturing the expressions that make these dogs irresistible to potential adopters.
Why This Is How I Photograph Dogs
Whether I’m photographing adoptable dogs at a rescue or working with private clients throughout the Bay Area, I take the same approach. Keep things low-pressure, let dogs lead, embrace the chaos when it shows up. It's important to always have a plan B (and C and D) for when dogs don't want to what you had in mind.
I’m drawn to moments that are slightly messy. The result is photographs that feel unposed. Perfect for families who want their dogs to look like themselves, not cookie-cutter models. And yes, sometimes that means a grumpy face, because WHY on earth am I not allowed to zoomie non-stop? Other pics are just tongues, bleps, mlems, or full-on Gene Simmons energy. These are always my favorite photos of the shoot.
And speaking of treats and holiday chaos, I also did a volunteer Christmas shoot at Marin Raw, where neighborhood pups posed with Santa in the store while donations went to Oakland Animal Services. Stay tuned for that post, more dogs, more snacks, and a slightly different kind of holiday fun in the Bay Area.
If you’re a Bay Area dog parent looking for a photographer who understands personality, unpredictability, and a little quirkiness, I’d love to work with you. Holiday-themed or not, the goal is always the same: photos that feel real and maybe just a little unhinged ;).
Learn more about my dog photography sessions at feralandfab.com
