What to Expect: The Dog Photography Experience with Kristen Murray Photography
Capturing the bond between you and your dog isn’t just about taking pictures—anyone can take a picture.
It’s about telling your dog’s story in a way that feels authentic, meaningful, and personal. At KMP, every portrait session is designed to create artwork that brings your dog’s personality to life and looks beautiful in your home.
Here’s how we do it.
Kate, her 101 Dalmatians, and Tod. All Dals were on leash for this photo.
The Design Consultation – Planning your perfect experience
Every great story begins with a plan, and everyone’s plan can look different. Before I ever pick up my camera, we’ll have a Design Consultation over Zoom to map out your vision. This isn’t just about choosing a location—it’s about understanding what makes your dog special and how we can best capture that in portraits.
What we cover:
✔️ Your dog’s personality, quirks, and relationship with your family
✔️ Location, activities, and wardrobe recommendations
✔️ What type of artwork we’ll be creating and where these images will live. Do you want to open the door and see a beautiful canvas of your pup leaping through the air, right before they come running up to you with kisses? Or are you more of the type to snuggle up on the couch with your pup and flip through an album, reliving every moment with each page turn?
This design consultation ensures that every photo has a purpose—whether it’s a statement piece above your fireplace, a gallery of wall art, or in a storytelling album that showcases everything you love most about your pup.
The Portrait Session – playdate with a purpose
This is where the magic happens! Our portrait sessions are relaxed, fun, and full of treats, belly rubs, and tail wags. Whether your dog is a seasoned pro or a bit camera shy, we’ll take our time to make sure they (and you!) feel comfortable, confident, and happy.
🐾 What if my dog needs to stay on a leash? No problem! The majority of the pups you see in my portfolio were on leashes during their session. (Minus the gun dogs actively hunting birds, of course.) I remove leashes in post-processing to create natural, leash-free images while keeping your pup safe during the session.
📸 What if I’m not a model? You don’t have to be! I’ll guide you through natural poses that showcase your connection with your dog—no awkward stiff posing here!
🌅 When do sessions take place? We shoot in the evenings to capture that gorgeous golden light. Depending on your artwork goals, your session may last 30 minutes to 90 minutes. (Or more, if need to take our time with your nervous or senior pup. The point is, I don’t ever “watch the clock.” You’re not going to be rushed or stressed. We work until we get all the images we need, we run out of light, or until your pup tells me “kthx I’ve had enough, time to go home and sleep.”
Ruckus: the sweet golden boy, apple of his parent’s eye, full of puppy antics, showing off his regal side.
Private: with his favorite Lemon toy, surrounded by his parents love
Rey: the ball-obsessed, wild-child
Harper: the nervous rescue that needed a bit more time to warm up
The View & Order Appointment – Seeing your story come to life
About 2 weeks after your session, we’ll meet over Zoom for your View & Order appointment. This is the exciting part— you’ll get to see your images for the first time and this is when we finalize how you’d will display them.
🖼️ How will I know what size wall art is right for my space? Using state-of-the-art software, I’ll show your portraits to scale on your walls so you can see exactly how they’ll look before you order. No one wants artwork that’s too big, or even worse, too small for the wall.
Left: Mock up of wall art during View and Order Appointment. Right: Framed Acrylics professionally installed in their home.
The Delivery - Enjoy your artwork for a lifetime
Once your order is placed, your portraits will be retouched. You’ll receive a gallery with a digital copy of all your purchased images. These digitals are perfect for sharing on social media and viewing on screens and digital frames.
All finished artwork will be ready in about 9-12 weeks. Whether it’s a handcrafted album or a stunning statement piece for your home, your dog’s story will be preserved in a way that lasts forever.
🎁 Want full service? I offer personal delivery and installation so you don’t have to lift a finger. . . or remind your partner they said they’d hang it weeks ago.
🚚 Prefer a DIY approach? Either way, your artwork arrives ready to display and can be drop-shipped to you.
Saydie & Raven: showing off their fancy side after quail hunting
Charlie: comin’ in for some treats and pets during our session
Ghillie & Brechin: sweet, playful Scottish Labs
Your Dog’s Legacy - Making the most of their time here
Dogs change, grow, and as much as we wish they wouldn’t, eventually slow down. This isn’t just about capturing your pup today—it’s about preserving their legacy for years to come. Whether this is your first session or one of many, we’ll create a long-term vision for how your artwork evolves over time, ensuring each chapter of your dog’s life is beautifully documented.
Sig: Leaping into the river after his bumper
2025 Commissions are Open
Your dog is your adventure buddy, your best friend, and a huge part of your story. Let’s capture the love, the laughter, and those little quirks that make them them. Together, we’ll create one-of-a-kind artwork for your one-of-a-kind dog.
📍 Reach out today to schedule your dog’s photography session in Richmond, VA.