How to Keep Dogs Comfortable in Autumn Photoshoots

Autumn is a dream season for dog photography — golden light, crunchy leaves, rich colours, and that unmistakable sense of adventure in the air. 🍂But as beautiful as it looks on camera, autumn can bring unpredictable weather, cooler temperatures, and a fair bit of mud (which we secretly love at Olive Paw Photography).

Keeping your dog comfortable during a photoshoot isn’t just about warmth — it’s about making sure they feel relaxed, happy, and free to be themselves. When dogs are at ease, their true personalities shine, and that’s where the magic happens.

In this guide, I’ll share practical, tried-and-tested ways to prepare your dog for an autumn session — so you can enjoy the experience as much as the finished photos.

🍁 1. Understanding the Autumn Setting

Autumn is unpredictable — one minute you’ve got sunshine streaming through amber trees, and the next, a playful drizzle. That’s part of the fun! But it also means we prepare for every scenario.

At Olive Paw Photography, I embrace the season’s character: damp leaves, misty backdrops, and low sunlight that wraps everything in gold. Your dog doesn’t need to stay pristine — in fact, a little mud often makes the photos even better!

Pro tip: A relaxed mindset is key. When you’re calm about a bit of mess or drizzle, your dog feels it too.

🐾 2. Prepping Your Pup Before the Shoot

A comfortable dog starts with the right prep at home.

Keep their routine familiar

Dogs thrive on routine. Try to keep feeding and walk times as normal as possible on shoot day. This helps prevent restlessness or overexcitement when they arrive.

If your dog usually goes for a long morning walk, keep it shorter before the shoot. You want them relaxed but still alert and engaged — enough energy for play, but not the wild zoomies (at least not until we’re ready to capture them!).

Make grooming simple and stress-free

No need for a full spa day! Just a quick tidy-up around the eyes and paws helps bring out their best features in photos. If they have a long coat, brushing out any tangles before the session will make them more comfortable — and help avoid collecting too many leaves along the way!

Pack for comfort and fun

Think of it like packing a small adventure kit:

• 🦴 Treats: Bring their favourite, high-value ones (like chicken or cheese).

• 💧 Water: Even in cooler weather, dogs can get thirsty from excitement.

• 🎾 Toy: Familiar toys make great focus tools and reward items.

• 🧣 Blanket or towel: For rest breaks and the car ride home.

Pro tip: Pack your dog’s favourite “comfort scent” — like a blanket they sleep on. It helps them relax quickly in new environments.

🌤️ 3. Dressing for the Weather (You and Your Dog!)

A muddy shoot can still feel wonderful if everyone’s dressed for it.

For your dog:

If your pup feels the cold, consider a bringing a lightweight waterproof or fleece-lined jacket. You dont have to wear during the pictures but might make them feel comfortable in between shots.

Some breeds, like whippets or small terriers, benefit from an extra layer on breezy days. Others, like retrievers or collies, are often happiest without.

If you’re unsure, bring both and we’ll decide on the day — flexibility is the Olive Paw way.

For you:

You’ll likely kneel, crouch, or even sit on damp grass — it’s all part of the fun! Wear comfortable, weather-proof layers and footwear you don’t mind getting muddy. And if you want to be in a few of the pictures, wear something you you are happy to be snapped in!

📸 4. On Location: Helping Your Dog Feel at Ease

When we arrive at the location, the first thing we do is nothing at all. I always allow time for your dog to sniff, explore, and settle into the environment. This part is essential — it’s how they learn that this new place is safe and fun.

We will keep your dog on lead for this while I get set up, so they can see and smell me setting up. Its all new to most dogs so its important for them to see the different bits of equipment as its set up and most like to have a little sniff of the camera to check ive made the right lense choice😂

Dogs take their emotional cues from you. If you’re relaxed, they will be too!

Managing excitement or nervous energy

Every dog is different. Some charge into a new setting full of joy, while others hang back and need a moment. Both are completely normal.

I use gentle, positive reinforcement to build trust — praise, treats, and breaks. If your dog feels unsure, we slow down, change the angle, or take a breather.

🐾 “There’s no rush — this is their adventure as well as a photoshoot.”

🧡 5. During the Shoot: Making It Fun!

Autumn photoshoots are as much about experience as they are about the final photos.

We’ll start with calm, portrait-style shots — capturing your dog’s eyes, posture, and little quirks. We always get a mix of full body pawtraits as well as head shots saving the action for the end where they are ready to burn off steam!

Portraits and close-ups

For portraits, I keep things quiet and comfortable. Dogs usually respond best to calm energy. If you get stressed, they get stressed so the key is to remain calm and know that things dont always go to plan, but there is always a way. We work together to get them in the right position and I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve.

Action and play

This is generally saved for the last third of the session. Once your dog’s confidence grows and we have the Pawtraits in the bag there mind will have been exercised with posing so they are now ready to burn off some physical energy, and they have earnt it! Depending on each dogs ability and whether we are close to water, we will get a mix of action shots. These are so much fun and often become clients favourites because they’re pure joy in motion.

We had one recent shoot with a young Border Collie called Blink. His owner was very nervous about doing the action shots because of distractions. After working with him for an hour and observing his behaviour, I was confident we could get some great shots. I have a tried and tested method, so we found a quiet place at the location and started small. 10 minutes later we had a very happy owner and a knackered, tail wagging Blink!👇

Breaks and downtime

We always work around your dog’s energy. Breaks are not only okay — they’re essential. Whether it’s a treat stop, sniffing break, or quick cuddle with you (or me!), these pauses make dogs feel secure and refocused.

🌦️ 6. Embracing the Weather

We are in Cumbria. Much like the north west of Scotland, the weather kinda does its own thing and can sometimes decide to add its own personality to a shoot — a bit of drizzle, a gust, or that unmistakable autumn mist. Don’t worry! it all adds to the memories and we always get great shots. But do dress appropriately as this time of year with temperatures dropping, even a slight breeze can bring a real chill to the air. We do however keep an eye on the forecast in the days prior to the shoot and if theres a strong chance of very bad weather we will reschedule.

🎁 7. After the Shoot: Comfort and Care

Once we’re done, it’s towel time! Bring a warm towel for your dog to snuggle in and some water for hydration.

If your dog got particularly muddy (which, lets face it happens a lot!), a quick wipe before heading home helps keep the car seats safe or if we are at a water location, a quick dunk to wash off the mud. I always recommend letting your dog rest after a shoot — it’s an adventure for them, both mentally and physically.

Within a few weeks, you’ll receive your gallery — full of portraits, candid moments, and all those beautiful, messy memories that make autumn special. 🍂

💛 8. Why Comfort Creates Connection

The best photos don’t come from perfection — they come from connection.

When your dog feels safe and happy, their real personality shines. That’s what Olive Paw Photography is all about: relaxed sessions, happy dogs, and beautiful locations.

“Muddy paws, wagging tails, and beautiful light — that’s the Olive Paw way.”

🐶✨ 9. Ready for Your Own Autumn Adventure?

If you’ve been thinking about a photoshoot, now’s the perfect season.The light is golden, the air is crisp, and your dog’s personality is ready to shine. BUT, the diary is filling up so get in touch quick!

📅 Book your Autumn Muddy Paws session today to capture the season’s beauty and create memories you’ll treasure long after the leaves have fallen.

💛 Relaxed. Natural. Joyful.That’s Olive Paw Photography.