As a dog photographer, one of the most common questions I am asked is if my dog can stay on leash for their photo session. Clients want to make sure that their dog is safe if they can’t be trusted off leash, but of course want to be assured that  they will still get good pictures.

Of course the answer is “YES!”   I know… you browse the internet and see the amazing images of dogs without leashes. But I bet that most were photographed with their leashes on. 

In fact almost every dog I photograph is kept on a leash during his or her dog photography session. Keeping the dogs on leash not only keeps them safe, but also allows me to have the dogs in just the right place to capture the beautiful pictures you desire!

The Pros of Keeping Your Dog on Leash for Photographs:

1. Safety First: The primary advantage of keeping your dog on a leash during a photo shoot is safety. A leash provides control over your pet, preventing them from running off into dangerous situations.

2. Stability: A leash can help stabilize your dog, especially if they are prone to sudden movements or excitement. [Here’s to all those adorable puppies!] This stability can make it easier to capture clear, focused photographs.

3. Compliance: Many dogs are accustomed to being on a leash during walks, making them more likely to stay in place and follow commands while on a photo shoot.

However, one of the main concerns that clients have about keeping your dog on leash for photographs is the visual aspect. Leashes can sometimes detract from the dog’s natural beauty or be a distraction in the composition of the photo.

But keeping the leash on for photographs is not a problem!

All it takes is the magic of photoshop to remove those leashes and bring you stunning pet portraits.

Here are a few “before and after” pictures to show you the image as I take it straight out of the camera, no leash removal or editing of any kind, and  then the final image with the leash magically removed.

Here is Kyla. She’s a friendly Labrador cross breed. We chose this lovely spring field at Earl Bales Park in North York, Ontario, to do her photo shoot. There are some really great spots for photos there. You’ll see that her Dad is standing close enough to hold the leash. Of course I removed him too!

I just loved this dog’s cute pose. He was a dog I photographed at a shelter. I decided to edit the photo and remove his leash. The photo is definitely enhanced without the leash.

Here’s Scruffy’s before and after! We had her perched on this log for one of her photos but as usual she was wearing her leash. I made the mistake of not getting her Mom to put the leash behind her, which is one of my “photo session rules”. But I really liked the picture so I took the time to remove the leash from her body.

Now you’ve seen how the magic of photoshop works.

After each photo shoot I choose the best images to edit and leash removal is part of that process. So, even if your dog is an untrained puppy, totally wild or chases squirrels, we can still get beautiful, natural images of your dogs.  

Here is more on the subject of safety during a dog photo session

Hopefully your doubts are now put to rest and you can feel comfortable in booking a dog photography session in the Greater Toronto area, including Markham, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Etobicoke, The Beach, Scarborough, Mississauga, or Southeast Florida.

Take a look at Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography , fetching portraits in Coppell and surrounding communities in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex, for more on leash removal.