Welcome. If you are reading this you may be in a position where your dog is nearing the end of his or her life and you’re considering arranging a dog photo session to honour the love between the two of you!

Recently, I came across a Facebook post asking whether “it’s weird to want an end-of-life photography session with my dog?”  The answer is a resounding “no!”

As a Toronto area dog photographer I am frequently called upon to do a end-of-life or senior session and I absolutely do recommend them!

Anyone who is inquiring about an end-of-life dog photography session is someone whose pet is an integral part of their lives, a loyal companion and true member of their family. They share a bond and love that any pet owner will be able to understand.  

To want to document that love in their dog’s final days or weeks is not strange and these days it’s not unusual - in fact it’s a very common request. Devoted pet parents are eager for high-quality images to hold on to after their beloved pet is gone.

Let’s look at why I recommend End of Life dog photography sessions.

1. People who cherish their pets as members of the family, feel an incredible loss when it’s time to say goodbye. Preserving the memory of your beloved companion can be very therapeutic as you prepare for that time.  You’ll be doing something from your heart that will help you remember your pet and process your grief.

2. These sessions honour and celebrate the special relationship between you and your pet. For so many people they may be the only photos they have of themselves with their dog together.  We all regularly snap pictures of our dogs, and our cell phones are full of them, but we rarely appear in the photos ourselves.

3. The photos from your session will provide you with tangible memories of your pet and his or her unique personality, the face that you love so much, and the way they look at you. The photographs will be something you can cherish, long after those details fade from your memory.

   As a professional photographer, I create a timeless tribute that tells a story of love and companionship. We don't just take pictures. We preserve love.

How do I feel as a dog photographer offering End of Life sessions?

For sure they are emotional and I’ve shed many a tear when I’ve been notified of a pets passing,  but they are an opportunity to celebrate the lives of our beloved companions and for me it is truly an honour to create images that capture the bond between a pet and his or her owner in a way that’s dignified and beautiful.

It is my hope that the photos taken during an End of Life Session will provide some comfort to my clients while they mourn the loss of their faithful and loving companion.

If you have lost a pet and are struggling to deal with the loss, take a look at this post on dealing with the loss of a pet. It may provide some help.

If you would like me to contact you to discuss a session of your ill or aging dog, please click below. We can discuss your wishes for an end of life session or even for a senior who is simply slowing down a little as he/she ages.

How to honour your pet with a pet memorial

Please take a look at some great ideas for honouring your pet with a pet memorial.

In honour of Coco who passed away just a few days after his End of Life Session. RIP dear COCO

This post is written as part of a blog circle in which I participate with some really talented photographers around the world. For more on the importance of photographing your senior dog, see Linda Perdue of VPShoots Photography sharing memories of dogs showing the importance of photographs.