Photoshop Magic
Leashes - all the cool kids are wearing them
One of the most common worries I hear from dog parents before a session is:
“My dog can’t be off leash — will that ruin the photos?”
Or its close cousin:
“Their harness is bulky… will it show in the pictures?”
Let me put your mind completely at ease:
Your dog can absolutely wear a leash and even a harness during your entire session — and your photos will still look amazing.
Safety Always Comes First — For You and Your Dog
The world is full of distractions: squirrels, new smells, runners, other dogs, wind, bikes, ducks, you name it. Even the best-trained dog can have a moment of curiosity or overstimulation. And many dogs are still learning leash manners or recall — which is totally normal.
Keeping your dog on a lead ensures:
They stay safe from roads, wildlife, and other dogs
You stay relaxed instead of constantly worrying
I can focus on capturing their personality instead of chasing them through a field
A relaxed parent equals a relaxed dog — which equals better photos every time.
90 percent of the Dogs in My Portfolio Were Photographed on Leash
It might surprise people, but it’s true: most of the stunning images you see on my website were captured with the dog on a lead.
Why don’t you see a leash?
Because I position it so it’s easy to edit out, and I remove it later during the retouching process.
This is all part of the professional dog photography workflow. Leashes aren’t mistakes — they’re tools.
Harnesses Are Welcome Too
Harnesses are especially helpful for:
Small dogs who don’t do well on collars
Big dogs who love to pull
Anxious dogs who feel safer in something familiar
Senior dogs who need extra stability
If the harness is sleek and low-profile, I can often edit it out. If it’s a more supportive style that needs to stay on, we simply work with it. Your dog’s comfort and confidence matter far more than a bare neck.
And let’s be honest — some dogs look downright adorable in their gear!
Editing Magic Makes a Big Difference
I give clear direction during the session to make the lead as easy to remove as possible:
Asking you to hold the leash in a certain way
Using thin, neutral-colored slip leads
Positioning your dog so the lead stays behind them
Keeping harness straps aligned
You won’t have to think about any of this — I’ve got it handled. After the session, I edit out leads and tags so your final images look clean, natural, and timeless.
Your Dog Doesn’t Need Perfect Obedience — Just Their Personality
Leashes aren’t a sign of a “badly trained” dog. They’re simply a tool that lets me photograph dogs exactly as they are — goofy, wiggly, excited, curious, maybe a little nervous… and loved.
My job isn’t to get them to behave perfectly; it’s to capture their spirit.
Bottom Line: Bring Your Dog Exactly as They Are
If your dog has:
high energy
no recall
selective hearing
wild zoomies
zero interest in staying still
you’re in the right place.
Leashes and harnesses help us create the best and safest images, not the worst ones. So bring your dog as they are — gear and all — and I’ll take care of the rest.
