When I say I’m a doodle lover, I mean it! We have not one, but two doodles at home. Our mini Labradoodle is 12 years old and full of personality—grumpy yet loveable as ever. And then there’s our 6-month-old Goldendoodle, a giant bundle of joy and pure energy. With these two in the house, I get my daily dose of dog snuggles, goofy moments, and the occasional burst of chaos.
So, when a family shows up to their session with not one but two doodles of their own, it’s like instant magic! Doodles have a way of bringing laughter, playfulness, and comfort to any session. These two doodles were the ultimate show-stealers, prancing around and making everyone smile. I’m pretty sure no one minded, and the pups clearly loved every second.
Why Dogs Are Always Welcome at My Sessions
To me, dogs are family. I always encourage clients to bring their pets because it captures an extra layer of connection and fun in the photos. Pets, especially dogs, bring out the realness in families—they’re funny, loving, and loyal, and that translates beautifully on camera. Plus, when the dogs are in the mix, there’s an extra level of comfort for everyone involved.
When I photographed this family, though, it wasn’t just the pups that made my day. It was the dad’s heartfelt compliment, one of the best I’ve received in my career. I’ve been photographing this family for years, watching the kids grow up and seeing their personalities develop. They’re at that stage where getting excited for family photos doesn’t come naturally. So we take a relaxed approach, allowing everyone to ease into the session and just have fun. By the end of our time together, we were all laughing, and the girls had loosened up, genuinely enjoying themselves.
Then came the surprise: after the session, the girls actually asked to go to the playground nearby. The dad was shocked. He told me that his daughters hadn’t asked to go to a playground in years. For them, the fact that they wanted to head over there after their photo session spoke volumes about how comfortable and relaxed they felt. Hearing that was priceless. It meant they’d enjoyed the session in a way that went beyond just taking photos—they felt at ease, happy, and unpressured.
Creating a Comfortable, Fun Atmosphere
To me, this is what family photography is all about. It’s not just about getting the shot; it’s about making families feel like they can be themselves. Sometimes, when kids come into a session feeling unsure, it’s all about breaking down those walls and creating a fun, easygoing environment. Whether it’s through a joke, a game, or an impromptu “dog break” to snuggle up with their furry family members, I want families to leave their session feeling connected, happy, and, most of all, themselves.
I walked away from this session with my heart full, reminded of why I love doing this so much. Not every session comes with the most glowing feedback, and certainly, not every session has a dad who shares such a heartfelt compliment. But moments like these keep me inspired. I know I’m on the right track when families—kids, parents, and doodles included—leave the session feeling happy, comfortable, and truly together.
This session was a beautiful reminder of why I love being an Indianapolis family photographer. Capturing real moments, whether it’s kids warming up to the camera, dogs bringing joy, or families simply being themselves, is what I strive to create for every family. From grumpy doodles to playful kiddos, these are the memories that make each session special. It’s about making everyone comfortable and capturing the realness of every family. I’m grateful for these moments and the incredible families I get to photograph here in Indianapolis!
