Tips for Including Your Dog in Your Beach Photo Session

If your dog is family (let’s be real, they absolutely are) it makes total sense that you’d want them in your photos. Some of my favorite sessions have included a goofy golden retriever rolling in the sand or a little dachshund absolutely losing their mind over the waves. Dogs bring so much life and joy to a shoot. The candid moments you get with a pet are often the ones that make you cry-laugh every time you see them.

That said, bringing a dog to a beach session takes a little extra planning. Here’s what you need to know to make it work.

Know the Rules First

Before anything else: most Delaware beaches do not allow dogs during peak summer months. This is a hard rule, not just a suggestion, so it’s worth knowing upfront when you’re planning your session.

Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, and Rehoboth Beach all prohibit dogs on the beach during summer. If your session is in the May through September window and you’re set on including your pup, Dewey Beach is your best option.

Dewey allows dogs before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. There’s an added step: all dogs must have a Town of Dewey Beach dog license, which you can purchase online or at Town Hall in 3-day, 8-day, or lifetime options. It’s easy and affordable, but don’t skip it.

(Rules can change season to season, so I always recommend double-checking the current regulations before your session date.)

The good news: Dewey’s early morning and golden hour timing actually works beautifully for photo sessions. Soft light, fewer crowds, and a dog who hasn’t had time to get overstimulated yet? That’s honestly a winning combination.

Bring a Handler (Don’t Skip This)

This is probably the most important practical tip I can give you: bring someone whose only job is the dog.

It sounds simple, but it makes an enormous difference. When you’re trying to look relaxed and natural in photos, holding a leash, watching for distractions, and making sure your dog doesn’t bolt into the surf is hard! A dedicated handler (a friend, a family member, anyone comfortable with your dog) frees you up to actually be present in the session.

They can hold the leash between shots, call your dog’s name to get their attention, and wipe sandy paws before your pup jumps on you in a white dress (seen it, experienced it, such is life with a dog, right?)

Tire Them Out Before You Show Up

A dog who’s been cooped up all morning and then arrives at the beach for the first time is going to be a lot. In the best way possible but still a lot.

If you can, give your dog a walk or some playtime before the session. A dog who’s already burned off some energy is going to settle more quickly, take direction better, and be far more likely to sit still long enough for a frame or two. You want engaged and happy, not frantic.

Treats Are Everything

Bring the good ones! The high-value treats your dog will do absolutely anything for. Cheese, deli turkey, whatever makes their eyes light up. We’ll use treats to get your dog looking at the camera, to reward a good sit, and to generally keep the session moving in a positive direction.

Just a heads up: we’ll get some shots with treats and some without, so we can capture both the focused attention and the natural, goofy moments in between.

Embrace the Chaos

Here’s the thing about dogs in photo sessions: they do not follow direction like humans. They will sneeze at the wrong moment, look the wrong way, or decide mid-session that the only thing they want to do is dig in the sand. And that’s okay.

Some of the best images come from the unplanned stuff – your dog shaking off after a wave, or your kid giggling because the dog won’t stop licking their face. I will always be watching for those moments, and I’ll keep the session loose enough to let them happen.

That said, we will get the “everyone looking at the camera” shot. I promise. It just might take a few tries.

A Few Quick Logistics to Think About

Leash or no leash? Unless we’re at Dewey Beach during permitted off-leash hours and your dog has reliable recall, plan to have your dog on a leash for most of the session. A thin, neutral-colored leash is easy to remove in editing. A bright orange retractable leash is a little more work. Just something to keep in mind. Take the poop bag holder off.

Water. Dogs overheat faster than you’d think on hot sand, especially in summer. Bring fresh water and a collapsible bowl and we’ll have a few hydration breaks.

Towels. Sand is going to happen. Wet dog is possible. A towel or two in your bag will save you.

Skip the bath the day before. A freshly bathed dog at the beach still becomes a wet, sandy dog. A normal dog at the beach is also a wet, sandy dog. You can’t really win this one, so don’t stress about it.

Tell Me About Your Dog Before the Session

When you book, let me know you’re planning to bring your pup! It helps me plan timing, location, and how we’ll structure the session. I’ll also want to know a little about their personality. Are they chill and food-motivated, or do they lose their mind around strangers? That helps me know what we’re working with so I can set realistic expectations and make sure we get the best images possible.