The Family Portrait He Asked For
Some shoots begin with a brief. This one began with a request from a dog.
Two different animal communicators, who had never spoken to each other, told the same story to the dogs’ mum: her eldest boy, Rocky*, wanted a family photoshoot. Not just a portrait of himself. He wanted all four of his furry-sibling, and his mum and dad, in the same frame.
*Name changed for privacy reason
So that’s what we did.
How I Prepared for Five Dogs Photoshoot
Photographing one dog is a skill. Photographing five in their own home is a negotiation, so I came prepared.
Treats in every pocket. The universal language, just in case. I had Lamb Lung Training bites from Baffs Naturals in both my pockets.
A walking advertisement for dog people. Before leaving home, I made sure to give my own two dogs, a standard poodle and a little lion dog, plenty of hugs and kisses. This wasn’t just for my own happiness. I like to think dogs can smell other dogs on a person, so I arrived carrying the scent of my own pack. Call it my calling card: I’m one of you, more or less.
A squeaker, for emergencies. I had one tucked in my pocket to grab attention when needed. It never left the pocket. These dogs were so camera-ready that turns out I didn’t need it once.
Slow and calm. Most importantly, I kept my movements slow and my voice low and steady. Nothing sudden, nothing hyper. Dogs read energy faster than any of us, and a photographer who bounces around only winds the room up. If I wanted calm dogs, I had to be the calm in the room.
It seemed to work. Or maybe they were just good dogs. Probably both.
Family Pet Home photoshoot – The House
The shoot took place in a black-and-white colonial house, one of the rare heritage homes in Singapore that has been lovingly preserved. The bones of the place are classic: high ceilings, louvred windows, and that crisp monochrome exterior. But inside, the owners have decorated with a confident hand, with splashes of vibrant colour in every room. It felt like a home with a personality, which suited a family with five very distinct ones.
The Guest of Honour
I’d heard the request secondhand, so I didn’t know what to expect from Rocky. What I got was the sweetest model I’ve ever worked with.
He greeted me with kisses, leaned into me as I worked. He held still for frame after frame. He looked straight down the lens and, I promise, smiled. If a dog can understand what a photoshoot is for, he did. It was hard not to feel that he knew exactly why we were all there.
The Rest of the Pack
Every dog had their own idea of how the day should go.
The Poodle appointed himself camera inspector. He kept coming right up to the lens to check my work, and then to the source of it, which meant plenty of licks and kisses for me!
The Chihuahuas were less interested in being photographed and more interested in voicing their opinion. Two of them squabbled their way through a good part of the session, as brothers do. But in between rounds, they were also the cuddliest. Whenever I crouched down to shoot, one of them would settle into my lap and make himself at home. It’s hard to stay professional with a Chihuahua on your knees, but I managed.
The Singapore Special was the quiet grace of the group. Shella*, seemingly the senior lady of the household, wasn’t the most enthusiastic about the whole affair. But she was a true professional. She greeted me sweetly when I arrived, held her position beautifully, and gazed calmly into the camera whenever I needed her to. There’s something wonderful about a dog who doesn’t need to perform to be present. Every family portrait needs someone steady, and she was it.
*Name changed for privacy reason
Into the Garden
We finished in the garden, with lush greenery all around and the soft, easy light you get after a morning of work. By then, everyone had settled. The squabbles had quieted, the energy had softened, and the family finally looked like what they are: a pack of brothers (and sister!) and two parents who adore them.
What I’m Taking Away
I’ll be honest: I don’t know what to make of animal communicators. But I know what I saw. A house full of dogs, each with their own temperament, all behaving beautifully. An old boy who looked into my camera as if he’d been waiting for this moment. And a mum and dad who made it happen because they listened.
Whatever you believe about how Rocky made his wish known, the result was a family portrait that I think he’d be proud of.
If you like our style and wish to commission a Family Pet Home photoshoot with your pets at your home, I am just a ring away!
