Closet doors wide open, vacant stare at contents, it gets everyone.

Somewhere between booking your session and arriving on the day, a lot of people hit a wall. The dog is ready, you’ve probably thought more about prepping the dog than anything else. But what should you wear?

Here’s the thing: it’s an open ended question. What follows are suggestions, not rules, and the ultimate goal is simple. You should feel like yourself, comfortable and confident, for images you’ll genuinely want to live with. Because that’s what we’re making here. So take what works, leave what doesn’t, and let’s make something beautiful. Oh and I’m always here if you have questions.

Short on time? Jump to my quick guide.

Connection First, Always

Let’s be clear about one thing before we talk colour palettes and cropped jackets. The heart of every image is the relationship between you and your dog. The goofy, the tender, the completely personal moments that only the two of you understand. That’s what my camera is really after.

Your outfit doesn’t create that. It just makes sure nothing gets in the way of it.

Your dog will likely be the star of the larger statement pieces in your home, and rightfully so. But the images that include you? They have tremendous meaning and even if you can’t imagine yourself on your wall, some day you’ll thank yourself. A framed fine art print, part of a collection or storyboard, a wooden image block on the bookshelf. Quiet but meaningful. And worth showing up for.

Dress like you plan to step into a few frames. Because you really should.

The Colour Story for Spring and Early Summer

Spring and early summer light is soft and a little dreamy. The colours you wear can either sing in that light or fight it, so it’s worth giving this some thought.

As a general rule, lean into the softer side of your wardrobe this time of year. Pastels work beautifully: soft blush, powder blue and lilac, mint, warm whites and creams. Earthy neutrals like sand, sage, and warm taupe are endlessly versatile. These tones photograph well, flatter most skin tones, and don’t compete with the environment or your dog. Browns and dark blue will always look sharper than all black or white.

Where it gets a little more specific is location.

If you’re shooting in a green space (think parks, fields, gardens, wooded areas) those soft pastels and warm neutrals are your best friends. Blush, ivory, soft yellow, sage green that doesn’t disappear into the foliage. Light and airy works with the setting, not against it.

If you’re in an urban setting or near the water, you can afford to go slightly richer. Dusty blue, soft terracotta, warm camel, muted olive. These hold beautifully against brick, concrete, or the cool tones of a lakeside backdrop without feeling heavy.

What to dial back regardless of location: anything neon, anything with heavy contrast, and true black or stark white can be tricky depending on the light. Not off the table, but worth a conversation before your session.

Play Off Your Dog’s Coat

• • Black coats → Soft pastels and warm whites create a beautiful, airy contrast. Blush, mint, and powder blue all work beautifully. A touch of metallic in your jewelry never hurts either.
  • White or cream coats → Lean into soft, earthy tones. Sand, warm taupe, sage. Pastels can feel a little lost next to a very light coat so a slightly deeper tone gives you definition.
  • Brown coats → Warm neutrals like cream and ivory complement naturally. Want something with more pop? A soft coral or dusty rose adds warmth without competing.
  • Golden coats → You’re in luck, almost everything works. Soft blues, sage, warm white. Avoid anything too close to their gold or it blurs together.
  • Red coats → Cool tones are your friend. Powder blue, soft teal, mint, and crisp white all make a red coat absolutely glow.
  • Grey coats → Blush and lavender pair beautifully. Soft warm tones in general bring out the warmth in a grey coat that you might not even know was there.
  • Mixed or patterned coats (brindle, merle, tri-colour) → Pull one hue from their coat and build from there. A merle with amber flecks? Warm sand and cream. A brindle with cool tones? Dusty blue or sage.

You do you, wear what makes you feel good. Please don’t hesitate to run your ideas by me before your session, and even bring a couple of different layer options on the day. I want you and your dog to look your best and be ready to focus on each other

The Layering Secret Most People Don’t Know

This is the one piece of advice I give almost everyone, and it makes a noticeable difference in photos.

Flowy tops are comfortable and they feel like a safe choice, but on their own they can work against you in images. The camera flattens dimension, and without something to define your shape, volume just reads as volume.

A layer fixes this. A cropped jacket, a denim jacket, a linen blazer, a cardigan, even an open button-down worn over a fitted top. Something that hits at or just above the hip creates a waistline, gives the image structure, and generally makes people look at their photos and think “oh, I actually look great.”

It finishes a look, adds shape and if you get warm, you take it off!

What Actually Works: Bottoms, Textures, Patterns

Jeans and leggings are genuinely great choices. Clean, fitted, and they work with almost everything. A well-fitted pair of jeans and leggings in solid or small patterns in black, charcoal or a muted tone are effortless and comfortable, which matters when you’re crouching down, sitting in grass, or being enthusiastically climbed on.

For texture, think soft knits, linen, cotton, and denim. These have enough visual interest without demanding attention.

What to leave in the closet: large logos, bold graphics, and busy patterns. Your dog is bringing their personality to the frame, your outfit shouldn’t compete. Small, subtle prints like houndstooth or a plaid can work, and depending on your dog’s fur even a subtle animal print, but when in doubt, go solid.

For jewelry, classic and simple always wins. A delicate necklace, small earrings, a clean watch, bracelets. Anything too heavy or overtly trendy tends to date an image faster than anything else in the frame. Leave your chunky sport watch in your bag too.

Footwear is worth thinking about too, especially on location. You may be in grass, on a dock, or crouching in a field. Clean sneakers, ankle boots, and simple sandals all work beautifully. Just make sure you buff and shine your footwear and if you’re wearing sandals, your toes (can you say pedi?).

The Dog Hair Reality Check

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, dog hair.

It’s part of the deal. It is not a problem to be solved, it’s your glitter. That said, a little strategic thinking goes a long way.

Light coloured dogs on dark clothing and dark dogs on light clothing will show every single hair with remarkable dedication. If your dog is a heavy shedder and you’re wearing head to toe black, bring a lint roller and manage expectations in equal measure.

A Note on Being in the Frame

Here’s my gentle nudge. Dress as though you’ll be in a few shots, because it gives you options. Sometimes people realize at the session that they’d like to try a couple of shots but then they are unhappy with what they wore.

The session is primarily about your dog, absolutely. But the bond between the two of you is worth documenting too. If you step in for a handful of images and don’t love them, there is absolutely no obligation to include them in your order. But if you do love them, and in my experience people usually do, you’ll be so glad you showed up for it.

So channel your inner girl guide or scout, be prepared.

If you’re bringing the whole crew, partner, kids, or the entire family unit, think coordinate rather than matching. Choose a colour palette and dress within it. Everyone in a different shade of the same family looks intentional and cohesive without looking like you coordinated outfits over a group text. Which you definitely did, but no one needs to know that.