If you’ve been wondering what to bring to a pet photography session, you’re not alone. This is usually the point where people start making lists in their head and second-guessing everything.
You want to be prepared. You don’t want to forget something obvious. And you definitely don’t want to show up feeling like you missed something important.
The good news is, you don’t need nearly as much as you think. Especially if you’re planning a session here in Chattanooga or the surrounding areas, where the goal is a relaxed, real experience, not a perfectly packed bag.
If you’re still in the early stages of planning, you can start with the full pet photography guide to see how everything fits together before your session.
You Probably Need Less Than You Think
There’s always that moment before a session where it feels like you should bring everything. Extra toys. Backup treats. Multiple options “just in case.”
And then… most of it never leaves the bag.
What actually works best is bringing a few things your dog already knows and loves. Familiar always wins over new. Every time.
Simple keeps things flexible.
Because your dog might sit perfectly for one second… and then immediately decide sprinting in the opposite direction is the better idea. Both are part of the process.
What People Most Want to Know
You don’t need to bring much to a pet photography session. The essentials are a leash or harness for safety, high-value treats your dog loves, a favorite toy for attention, water, and a towel or wipes for quick cleanups.
Stick with familiar items your dog already knows. Avoid bringing too many options or anything brand new, as it can create unnecessary stress. Most sessions in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas are designed to feel relaxed, so simple and familiar works best.
The Essentials (What Actually Helps)
These are the things that consistently make a difference without making your session feel complicated.
Leash + collar or harness
Safety First. Always. Even if we plan to edit the leash out later, having something secure and familiar matters. It gives your dog confidence and gives us options as we move through different locations around Chattanooga.
High-value treats
This is the one thing I will always recommend.
Not their everyday snacks. Something they genuinely care about. Think small, easy pieces like cut-up hot dogs, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, or even Chick-fil-A nuggets broken into bite-sized pieces. If your dog is food motivated, this changes everything.
A favorite toy or attention-getter
This can be anything your dog responds to. A squeaky toy, a ball, or even something slightly ridiculous that gets their attention for half a second. That’s usually all we need.
Water and a bowl
Especially for outdoor sessions. Because, you know, the South. It’s hot. It’s humid. A quick break can reset everything.
A towel or wipes
Because if there’s dirt nearby, your dog will absolutely find it. It’s not a possibility. It’s a guarantee.
Optional (But Nice to Have)
You don’t need these. But if you already have them, they can help.
- A backup leash
- A brush for quick touch-ups
- A lint roller (usually more for you than your dog)
- A blanket your dog already uses
Familiar items can help your dog settle a little faster, especially in a new environment.
What Not to Bring
This is where things tend to go sideways if you’re not careful.
Too many options
Multiple collars, outfits, accessories. It sounds helpful, but it usually just creates decisions you don’t need to make in the moment.
Anything brand new
New toys, new treats, new gear. If your dog hasn’t seen it before, your session is not the time to test it.
Anything that adds pressure
If bringing it makes you feel stressed, it’s not helping. Leave it.
What Matters More Than Anything You Pack
This part doesn’t fit into a checklist, but it matters the most. Your dog is going to take cues from you. If you’re relaxed, they settle faster. If you’re tense, they notice that too.
The best sessions don’t come from having everything perfectly planned. They come from letting your dog be who they are and being okay with that.
Some dogs sit still.
Some dogs don’t.
Most do a little of both.
That’s not a problem. That’s personality.
A Quick Reality Check
You can bring the perfect toy. And…your dog may ignore it completely.
You can pack their favorite treats. And…they might suddenly decide something on the ground is more interesting.
And then, out of nowhere, they’ll do something you didn’t plan that ends up being your favorite image.
That’s how this usually goes.
Planning Your Session Without Overthinking It
This is exactly why you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a starting point and a little guidance along the way.
If you’re starting to picture what this could look like for your own dog, you can learn more about the pet photography experience and how it all comes together here in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas.
Want Help With the Rest of the Details?
If you like having a plan but don’t want to feel overwhelmed by it, the resource hub walks you through everything else step by step. What to expect, how to prepare, and how to keep the whole experience feeling easy.
No overcomplicating required.
Betsy Bird spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. When she’s not acting like a total goofball, she’s mentoring photographers, teaching the business side of photography, wrangling teenagers, or hanging with Derby, the new puppy who is currently training to be the new office assistant (jury’s still out on whether “chewing cords” counts as professional development).
Betsy is an award-winning equine and pet photographer based in Chattanooga, TN, and the current President of PPETN and President-Elect of TNPPA. Ride the Sky Equine Photography serves clients across Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond.