For many couples, a wedding day wouldn't feel complete without their dog by their side. Whether they're walking down the aisle, posing for portraits or simply soaking up the excitement, dogs bring personality, emotion and plenty of unforgettable moments to the celebration.
Capturing those moments takes more than technical photography skills – it requires patience, flexibility and a genuine love of animals.
We spoke with Bird and Boy Photography to find out what it's like to photograph dog-friendly weddings, the unique moments they get to witness, and their advice for couples who want their four-legged family member to be part of their wedding day.
1. How did you first start photographing dogs at weddings?
It wasn’t actually something we planned or thought of at the start. Couples just kept asking if their dogs could be part of the day and of course our answer was always yes!
Once we'd photographed a few, we were loving the cuteness. Doggies make the couple’s day feel real and like their own. Dogs are a massive part of the family so who wouldn’t we want them to be there?
2. What makes photographing a dog at a wedding different from photographing human guests?
Dogs don't care about your timeline or whether you're ready for the photo! 😂 They do whatever they want, whenever they want.
You have to be on your toes, patient and ready to capture their loveliness as soon as it happens. That's usually where the best photos happen anyway.
We usually recommend doing the doggy photos straight after the ceremony or whenever they are in the mood. We just work with the fluffy friend.
3. What's the most common mistake couples make when including their dog in wedding photos?
Trying to make them act the way you want them to be. The best photos aren't when your dog is sitting still and “well behaved”.
We love the candid shots when they're looking up at you, giving you kisses, running around or just being themselves. We always recommend trying to embrace their real personality because that's what you'll want to remember.
4. Do you have any tips for helping dogs feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera?
For sure… don’t force anything and don’t have any expectations. Bring plenty of treats, let them have little breaks, and don't expect them to look at the camera.
They're much happier looking at you anyway, and those moments always make for nicer photos. We recommend trying to do the photos whenever suits the doggy rather than setting a scheduled time. Sometimes getting away from the crowd is helpful too!
5. How do you prepare for a wedding where a dog will be involved?
We always ask a few questions beforehand. What's their personality like? Are they food motivated? Do they get excited around lots of people? Is someone looking after them after the ceremony? Can we have a cuddle? Haha.
Knowing all of that helps us plan the photos without adding any stress to the day.
"We love the candid shots when they're looking up at you, giving you kisses, running around or just being themselves. We always recommend trying to embrace their real personality because that's what you'll want to remember."
MADDI
BIRD AND BOY PHOTOGRAPHY
6. What are some of your favourite ways to include dogs in wedding portraits?
We love shooting over the couple’s shoulders or between the hands. Capturing the doggy looking at you is always the cutest.
Getting down on their level and having a cuddle is always super sweet too. Plus just the candid shots of letting them do whatever they want to do and working with them.
7. Have you ever had a dog completely steal the show during a wedding shoot? What happened?
Oh we have had heaps of fun times. Dogs as ring-bearers, photobombing the first kiss, thinking rose petals are snacks.
We had one lovely doggy take a nap on the bride’s dress during an elopement which was soooo cute.
8. What advice would you give couples whose dog is energetic, shy or not well trained?
Just work with their personality. We capture the candid moments, take them away from crowds if needed and just try to shoot the real moments. We try not to plan too much in advance as their personality on the day will tell us what to do.
9. Do you recommend hiring a professional dog chaperone for the wedding day?
Definitely! Their handling and attention make everything so much easier. If it is in your budget, we would highly recommend it as it is one less thing to stress about and also means you can relax knowing they are well cared for.
10. If a couple is dreaming of beautiful wedding photos with their dog, what are the three most important things they should do before the big day?
1. Don’t plan it. Let us work with their personality on the day.
2. Hire a pet sitter if it is in your budget!
3. Bring treats, toys and anything you think they will love!
Dogs have a wonderful way of adding joy, spontaneity and heartfelt moments to a wedding day, and photographers play an important role in preserving those memories forever.
As our interview with Bird and Boy Photography shows, photographing weddings with dogs is about embracing the unexpected, working with each dog's personality and creating relaxed, authentic images that couples will treasure for years to come.
We'd like to thank Maddi and Jerome from Bird and Boy Photography for sharing their experience and insights, and for helping couples celebrate one of life's biggest milestones with every member of the family included.
Bird and Boy Photography is a small wedding photographer and film team based on the Tweed Coast. You will usually see them being wedding paparazzi to couples around Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Tweed Coast, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. Their team is intentionally small so everything feels personal, relaxed and genuinely cared for from the moment you enquire to the day you receive your photos.
