If you’ve ever found yourself asking what should I do for my dog’s birthday, you’re not alone! And what better way to celebrate it than with a photo shoot? There’s nothing quite like seeing your dog experience pure joy. Whether it’s your dog’s actual birthday or gotcha day celebrating your dog’s special day is the perfect excuse for bringing a little more happiness into both of your lives. 

If you’re looking for dog birthday photo shoot ideas, inspiration and guidance then you’re in the right place! I’m all about helping my clients create an experience that makes their dog jump for joy and provide you with stellar photos that will have you looking back with a smile. 

Whether it’s your dog’s first birthday or their 15th here are some great dog birthday party ideas that just so happen to make really great photos.

The first step to creating awesome dog birthday photos is to pick a theme for your session. You can make it simple or as elaborate as you’d like. The options are truly endless, but here are a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing:

• Your dog’s favorite activity, e.g. going for a hike, running on the beach, getting ice cream, etc.

• Any creative concept like a dog-friendly picnic, dog cake smash, floral crowns, etc. 

• A favorite season or time of year, e.g. pool party, Halloween, etc.

• Your dog’s personality

• Your dog’s age, e.g. puppy’s first birthday

Choose your location and find a dog-friendly venue. You know your dog best. A surefire way to guarantee a fantastic experience for your dog is to respect who they are: gregarious and out-going; maybe a party with their doggy best friends at a local dog-friendly brewery is the ticket. If they’re more introverted; maybe a quiet celebration at home or a hike with their favorite person will make their day. The American Kennel Club has some helpful general tips on throwing a birthday party for your dog.

Here are some things keep in mind specific to planning your doggo’s birthday photos: 

• Indoor or outdoor location?

• Would you like a studio-style birthday session or a natural outdoor feel? (Note: if you’ll be using confetti or the like outdoors make sure it’s environmentally safe and thoroughly clean up after yourself.)

• Is your dog comfortable in new locations or are they happiest at home? 

• Do you have a specific location in mind or are you flexible? 

Once you’ve picked out your theme and location you can start thinking about the types of decorations you’d like to bring your dog’s birthday photos to life. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Traditional decorations such as a happy birthday banner, streamers, confetti, balloons, party hats, crowns, bandanas, etc. 

• Your dog’s favorite toys

• Signs such as chalkboards or letter boards

• Set up a treat buffet

• Invitations for your dog’s best friends

What birthday would be complete without cake? Whether it's made with love by you or a custom creation from a doggy bakery, it’s important that the cake is made specifically for dogs. If you’re going the DIY route you can check out the ASPCA’s handy list of foods to avoid feeding your dog. A quick Google search for “dog friendly cake recipe” turns up thousands of options. All you need to do is pick the one that you think your dog would love the most!

Want to celebrate your dog’s birthday with a photo shoot?

If you're interested in booking a photo shoot for your dog’s special day I’d love to hear from you! Check out my pricing and then send me a quick email telling me a little bit about you and your dog. From deciding on a theme and picking the ideal location to creating beautiful photos I’ll be with you every step of the way.