Honoring a Profound Bond

I was recently reminded of why what I do for a living is so important in a very personal way. My dog Simba died unexpectedly. He was healthy one day and gone the next. Since he was just six years old, I’d thought I had plenty of time to get him back in the studio for updates to his puppy portraits. I was heartbroken not just because I lost one of my best friends but because I didn’t get to capture the additional lasting visual memories of our life together that I had hoped for. This is one of the reasons I’ve spent years providing legacy sessions as one of my studio offerings.

Legacy sessions are designed to capture heartfelt moments shared between beloved pets and their owners, often during some of their final days together, whether it’s a senior pet getting on in years or one who’s received a terminal diagnosis. As a longtime professional pet photographer and having worked in veterinary assistance, animal rescue, and rehabilitation, I understand the profound bond between pets and their people. I have the ability to capture that unconditional love and create lasting tributes to our most loyal friends.

For many pet owners, legacy sessions provide comfort and closure, allowing them to say goodbye in a meaningful way. And by documenting some of the pet’s unique quirks and personality traits as well as the relationship with their owners, the photos serve as a legacy of the pet, something their owners can look back on and remember for years to come. I also offer legacy sessions for people and their healthy adult pets who want to capture memories of their companions while they can.

While a pet photographer tends to have a better understanding of pet photography techniques than photographers who photograph human subjects, don’t rule out offering end-of-life sessions if you don’t specialize in pets. If you’re a professional photographer with a love for animals and can offer empathy and compassion during the session, you can provide this service to clients. Understand that it’s a highly emotional time for the owners, and their pets may not be at their best. Here are some ways you can prepare for an end-of-life pet session.

Empathy and sensitivity: Approach the situation with empathy and be sensitive to the pet owner’s feelings. Offer emotional support throughout the process, understanding that it’s a difficult time, but be prepared to be affected as well. Showing that you also feel the emotional weight of these sessions will resonate with the owner. Keep it as professional as possible so they don’t worry about the quality of the service you’re providing.

Communication and consultation: Begin with a compassionate and empathetic conversation with the pet owner. Listen to their wishes, emotions, and specific ideas they have for the session. Discuss their expectations and particular poses they want. Ask about the pet’s personality and its story to learn something about its significance in the owner’s life. Keep the lines of communication open and give the owner a clear timeline for when the images will be ready to view and when the order will be complete.

Location: The session can be in the pet’s favorite spot at home or in a serene outdoor location that holds meaning for the pet and the owner. Studio sessions are feasible if the owner wants a more traditional portrait style and is confident the location won’t be a stress on the pet.

Lighting and equipment: Use the appropriate camera, lenses, and lighting. Natural light can work, but I prefer supplemental lighting to ensure I get beautiful quality images no matter where I’m photographing.

Timing: Choose a time when the pet will be comfortable and relaxed. If you’re planning to be outside, try to schedule in the morning or during the golden hour in early evening when the light is both softer and warmer.

Shot planning: Have a plan for getting the shots you discussed in the client consultation. Capture a mix of candid moments along with posed captures. Focus on the emotions of the pet owner and the bond between them and their pet. Some of the most powerful images come from candid moments that illustrate their special relationship. Stay alert, as those moments can sneak up on you.

Details: Focus on getting details that convey the pet’s personality—their eyes, paws, a favorite toy or activity. These can be meaningful additions to the session.

Props and accessories: Incorporate props or accessories that hold significance to the pet and its owner such as favorite toys, blankets, or a special location. Be careful not to overdo it with too many items. Keep it simple so the focus is on emotion.

Patience: Pets may not always cooperate, so allow for breaks and time for the owner to comfort them. Provide accessibility aids for the pet to get up on chairs, benches, or couches, or make sure the owners can lift them if needed. Avoid excess handling and movement that could cause distress. Pets may be in pain and can’t move like they used to.

The owner: Include the pet owner in some images even if they did not ask for it. I can’t stress this enough. Their presence and interaction with the pet can be incredibly touching and will make the most powerful images. The owners will never regret being in images with their pet. If they don’t take the opportunity, they will almost certainly regret it once the pet is gone.

Editing: After the session, edit the photos to maintain a natural and timeless look. Avoid filters that can make an image look dated in the future. The goal is to create photographs that will be cherished for years to come.

Presentation and delivery: Share the edited images with the client in a sensitive and respectful manner, especially if the owner has had to say goodbye to their pet since the session and is still grieving. During the sales appointment and even during the order delivery, continue to show compassion and empathy for their loss. I also like to provide a small gift to each client, something with their pet’s photo on it that they wouldn’t necessarily have ordered for themselves.

Privacy and consent: Respect the pet owner’s privacy and emotional space during and after the session. Secure the pet owner’s consent to use the photos for any other purpose such as promotional materials, on your studio website, or on social media, and have them sign a release. Some clients may want to keep these images private.

Follow-up: After delivering the order, follow up with the owner to express your condolences and offer additional support. This will go a long way in keeping them as a client since most will eventually share their lives with another pet. You want them to remember you when they are ready to capture all the new memories in their lives.

Legacy sessions have become my most requested session in recent years and represent about 60% to 65% of my current clientele. I expect to see an even bigger increase in the next few years as the pet photography industry continues to grow, and more people include their pets as cherished family members.  

Angela Lawson owns AGL Photography studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan.