We get tips about the way to get cute wedding ceremony images along with your pet from Nicole Ettenhofer, VP of Development and Technique and George Road Picture–along with concepts for these pets who simply will not wish to be concerned.
Watch the newest episode of The Pawsitive Put up in Dialog under or on Youtube, hear under or by way of your favorite podcast app, or learn a transcript of the highlights under.
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How you can embody your pet in your wedding ceremony images
Zazie and
Kristi converse to Nicole Ettenhofer, VP of Development and Technique at George Road
Picture & Video, about pet-friendly methods to get cute wedding ceremony images along with your
pet.
As folks
more and more contemplate pets to be a part of the household, they wish to contain them
of their wedding ceremony. So what you may you do to be sure you get some nice images
that embody the pet, with out overwhelming them? We start with a private story
from Nicole that may have you ever tearing up in a great way, and which exhibits you
can belief her tricks to be pet-friendly.
A marriage is
an enormous occasion and most pets should not used to large gatherings, so we get Nicole’s
tips about the preparation that individuals ought to do upfront of the celebration. A
pet handler may help to verify issues go easily, and we speak in regards to the
sort of issues they need to do.
Pets can
play a variety of roles in a marriage, from being the ring-bearer to easily
making a short look. We contemplate the most effective methods to contain them and the way to
take the pet’s persona into consideration. Nicole has concepts for getting your pet
to cooperate with having their photograph taken, however she additionally reminds us to make the
most of these cute moments when the pet does one thing sudden—typically these
unplanned moments could make the most effective images.
And though
you may assume that we’re speaking solely about canines, cats and larger animals
like horses and llamas additionally get a point out.
Lastly, we
speak in regards to the books we’re studying.
Present Notes
About Nicole Ettenhofer
Nicole Ettenhofer is the VP of Development & Technique for George Road Picture & Video, a nationwide wedding ceremony photograph and video firm primarily based in Chicago, IL with expertise serving 1000’s of shoppers and providing finest in high quality wedding ceremony protection at an inexpensive price. With over a decade of expertise within the wedding ceremony business, Nicole is an knowledgeable in wedding ceremony developments and {couples} images and has helped the corporate obtain accolades comparable to The Knot’s Better of Weddings yearly from 2020-2024, The Knot’s Better of Weddings Corridor of Fame for the corporate’s dedication to high quality and worth and WeddingWire’s {Couples}’ Selection 2024. Earlier than becoming a member of George Road, Nicole served as a thought chief throughout the occasion and hospitality business for over 20 years. As for her private life, Nicole resides close to Denver, CO together with her husband and two canines and is an avid mountain climbing fanatic.
About George Road Picture & Video
Established in 2004, George Road Picture & Video was based to make wedding ceremony and engagement images extra accessible and private. With 20 years of expertise documenting love tales, George Road is an award-winning firm that pairs wedding ceremony planners and {couples} with best-in-class photographers and videographers nationwide. George Road prides itself on its customized strategy, offering photojournalistic wedding ceremony and engagement content material and digital customer support assist so purchasers can really feel assured going into their large day. The corporate has acquired many accolades comparable to The Knot’s Better of Weddings yearly from 2020-2024, The Knot’s Better of Weddings Corridor of Fame for the corporate’s dedication to high quality and worth and WeddingWire’s {Couples}’ Selection 2024. To be taught extra, go to www.georgestreetphoto.com.
The books on this episode
This web page comprises affiliate hyperlinks which implies I could earn a fee on qualifying purchases for gratis to you.
These are the books we advocate on this episode:
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Information and the Teachings of Crops by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Within a Canine: What Canines See, Scent, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz.
The Emotional Lives of Animals (revised): A Main Scientist Explores Animal Pleasure, Sorrow, and Empathy–and Why They Matter by Marc Bekoff.
Days on the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel by Satoshi Yagisawa, trans. Eric Ozawa.
The books can be found from all good bookstores.
Notice which you could hear Marc Bekoff speaking about The Emotional Lives of Animals at Bark! Fest, the net e book competition for animal lovers, in September. And you too can hear him on a panel with fellow authors Cat Warren and Zazie Todd on the competition.
Getting wedding ceremony images along with your pet: The highlights
Zazie: We have got a really thrilling visitor right now as a result of we’re speaking to Nicole Ettenhofer about involving pets in your wedding ceremony images. So it is a actually implausible subject. And Nicole Ettenhoefer is the VP of Development and Technique for George Road Picture and Video, which is a nationwide US wedding ceremony photograph and video firm primarily based in Chicago, Illinois. And he or she has expertise serving 1000’s of shoppers and providing finest in high quality wedding ceremony protection at an inexpensive price. And George Road believes that pets are cherished family members and together with them in wedding ceremony celebrations provides an additional layer of pleasure and emotional connection on the large day. And naturally, we agree very a lot with that.
Nicole additionally has over a decade of expertise within the wedding ceremony business and he or she’s an knowledgeable in wedding ceremony developments. So right now she’s going to share her suggestions for together with pets in wedding ceremony images and I am unable to wait to listen to them. However Nicole, I consider you may have a private story about your individual pet as effectively that explains how you bought concerned on this.
Nicole: Sure, I do. So I used to be married fairly a couple of years in the past and it was crucial to me. My 100 pound Rottweiler, Estelle was her identify. I had her as I used to be single and he or she was an enormous a part of my life. And he or she was additionally frightened of cameras. And so it was a should have to have her as of the marriage. However I needed to be actually strategic on what I used to be going to do, which is why I like sharing the tales and the tricks to actually assist folks as a result of there are such a lot of methods to incorporate your pet with out having to have them be there or they might be a part of it not directly for you.
And so with Estelle, she was frightened of the digicam. So I needed to decide after I was going to have her be on the wedding ceremony. Throughout the preparing, we made positive that the cameras had been utterly down through the occasions when she was round me, so we’d continually have her out and in. We had been in a position to catch a glimpse of her from the video from afar. And it is considered one of my most cherished movies as a result of it is the one one which I’ve together with her in all of my time being together with her, and I had her for over seven years, so that’s such a cherished second.
After which additionally through the meal time, we made positive that Estelle made a visitor look. I requested our photographers and videographer and all of our friends, please put down your telephones. Please put down any cameras. And we had her come and perform a little tour and go to. After which we introduced when she was off the property so that everybody might then pull up their cameras as soon as once more.
However it’s actually being strategic, being inventive. What makes essentially the most sense for you and your pet is basically necessary once you’re bringing them into your large day.
Zazie: Yeah, that is such a beautiful story, and that is so considerate to consider what she would want and the way, you already know, what could be the easiest way to include her within the wedding ceremony in order that she might nonetheless be there and nonetheless really feel secure. I believe that is lovely. Do you suppose there’s an rising pattern for folks to incorporate pets of their weddings?
Nicole: Completely. And, you already know, an increasing number of, everybody needs them to be a part of it. They’re a part of the household, as I do know all of us agree, and they also’re a part of the household, and they also positively need them to be a part of their big day.
Kristi: Earlier than I soar in with my first query, I simply wished to say about your story, that I adore it that you just advocated in your canine along with your friends as effectively. I believe that is as, like, a canine coach, that simply warms my coronary heart that you’re simply very clear. I used to be like, you already know, I would like all people to place their telephones down as a result of this scares my canine. In order that was lovely.
Nicole: Thanks, Kristi.
Kristi: So once you’re speaking with individuals who need their pets to be concerned with their wedding ceremony, and I perceive you would be doing this type of dialog beforehand, what sort of preparation are you recommending folks do with their pets?
Nicole: Effectively, initially, asking the questions of, you already know, what’s finest in your pet. So, you already know, at the beginning, if they’re very social beings and they’re good with many people and crowds, they usually’ve been a part of crowds. However that is additionally the important thing, too. Typically a pet could have been part of a smaller group but when you are going to have 100 folks at your wedding ceremony, has your canine skilled that bigger group? So actually desirous about how does your canine work together with people? How does your canine work together throughout traumatic occasions? How does your canine work together in these moments? So actually understanding their persona.
After which additionally with the bride and groom or couple, bride and bride, groom and groom, ensuring that everybody actually thinks about what’s finest for them. So if you’re a person the place it is actually necessary to you that you’ve an entire management of the whole lot, you could not wish to embody your canine as a result of your canine could not observe these good directions that you prefer to them to observe on that day, as a result of it is such a nuanced day for them. It isn’t the norm, it is out of their consolation zone. So additionally being aware of that. In order that’s at the beginning simply what is smart for all concerned.
Zazie: Yeah, I like that. And that is an excellent level, that the pet would not actually know what’s taking place. Everyone else is getting ready for it a very long time upfront, however the pet has no thought what is going on on and it’s totally totally different from their norm. So do you suppose it is a good suggestion to have a handler for the pet on the day? And what sorts of issues would a handler do?
Nicole: I’d say that it is extraordinarily necessary to have a handler. With the handler, you may have a buddy, a member of the family, however you too can rent somebody as effectively. And hiring somebody is likely to be the most effective alternative for you, as a result of that manner you do not have to fret about your buddy or your loved ones not having the ability to be a part of a particular time.
And that handler ought to be absolutely devoted to your pet. That is what their function is for the day. In order that manner you may ensure that the consolation of your pet is being thought of each single second. If the canine is feeling comfy, if it’s time for a meal, time for a snack, perhaps they simply want a bit of break. The handler can be there to assist assist them through the day. As a result of as you already know, as a pair, you don’t essentially wish to have that be a part of your day. So having somebody devoted is necessary. When you do, if you cannot afford to have somebody skilled or a buddy of a buddy of a member of the family, someone who perhaps would not be on the wedding ceremony that day, that is one other various as effectively. However ensuring that your pet is tended to 100% of the time.
Kristi: I’ve really seen in a few of our canine coach teams, a few of our colleagues, Zazie and I, colleagues saying, oh, you already know, I’ve a cherished shopper who I actually adore, they usually’re getting married, they usually need me to deal with for his or her canine. And I simply suppose, oh, it is such a beautiful factor, you already know, for our colleagues who actually, as a result of typically we actually like our, our purchasers, we hear quite a bit about their lives with their canines, and, you already know, you get hooked up. So to have the ability to be there as a part of that celebration, they’re like, ought to I cost? Ought to I do that as a volunteer? You realize? So I believe it is, it’s totally cool. And in addition, as, such as you talked about {that a} canine coach could be an excellent possibility. Canine trainers are excellent at dealing with canines, preserving a cool head, you already know, so I am like, this ought to be a service that we readily provide.
Nicole: That is an awesome thought, Kristi, you already know, to have that as an everyday service.
Kristi: Yeah, it is tremendous enjoyable for us. And canine coaching may be sort of a tough subject. You realize, you are coping with numerous stress and stuff. So I adore it after I see my colleagues getting the chance to do one thing so joyful and straightforward, most likely. So what sort of roles can pets take within the wedding ceremony? Like what do you advocate? What have you ever seen?
Nicole: We have seen so many alternative choices, and all are beautiful. You realize, that. We have seen them be ring bearers. We have seen seen them be the maid of honor or the canine of honor. We have seen them be the most effective canine or the most effective man. We’ve seen them simply as a part of the processional of the marriage.
We have additionally seen some alternate options, too, when the canine cannot be there, and people embody engagement periods. That is an effective way to check your pet in entrance of a digicam, as a result of having a digicam cellphone versus cameras, plural, could be very totally different for the canine. It is a very totally different second. So having that be a part of whether or not you will have them on the wedding ceremony or not, having them a part of that engagement session helps.
And it is all the time enjoyable for the save the date after they have, you already know, totally different indicators which may say, my people are getting married, save the date; or, you already know, dad requested, mother stated sure. I imply, they’ve all these fantastic, cute indicators which you could both have in entrance of the pet or on the pet as a part of it, and it is actually, actually beautiful.
So engagement periods after which you already know, like, with Estelle was actually desirous about, is that this proper, how can I make this proper? If you cannot discover it applicable, then additionally an alternative choice to that’s, you already know, we have seen numerous specialty drinks which are named after the canine. In order that they’ll have, like, images of the cats and the canine, they usually’re, you already know, and type of they’re all on show, they usually’ll have one thing named, Fido’s Martini or one thing enjoyable. So actually having the ability to combine your pet that manner.
After which one other enjoyable factor that we have seen is in lieu of any sort of celebration favors, they’re going to make a donation on behalf to a pet group on behalf of the pet. And so there are numerous actually enjoyable methods which you could carry your pet in, whether or not it is in actual life or an alternate possibility as effectively that is extra appropriate.
Zazie: There are some nice concepts there. I like these. And really, we had been despatched some wonderful images earlier than this interview, so I’ve seen some completely attractive images of pets at weddings, and it included some engagement images, too. So at George Road Picture, you are used to doing this plenty of occasions, so you have bought numerous expertise. What are your suggestions for getting pets to cooperate with the images?
Nicole: Effectively, I believe the very first thing to recollect is that your pet could not behave in entrance of the digicam. So, you already know, being okay with these candid photographs that come organically, such as you simply spending time along with your pet is likely to be a few of your absolute favourite images of the day. So remembering that your pet won’t sit fantastically with the group of people. So sort of remembering that. I am going to go into some suggestions in only a second, however simply being okay as a result of, seeing your interactions with the pet and simply the enjoyment in your face in your pet, you already know, your pet’s face, simply seeing the entire people across the pet, a few of these actually do create essentially the most. So simply being okay with no matter occurs, I believe, is primary.
After which secondly, although, excessive worth treats. Once you’re doing coaching along with your canine, what’s that prime worth deal with that they completely love? My canines love these beef livers, and so that is what I give them. It is hydrated beef liver. And so anytime I’ve a second, so sort of be desirous about that forward of time, you could wish to have one thing that perhaps you solely give your canine each every now and then. Additionally, check the treats forward when you’re giving them one thing new, since you do not additionally don’t need your pet to really feel ailing if there’s one thing would not agree with them. So excessive worth treats primary.
After which toys quantity two. What are their favourite toys? You realize, in the event that they just like the squeaks, in the event that they just like the crinkles or one thing else, no matter that is likely to be. And that is the place you’ll have your handler assist. They’d stand behind the photographer with that to attempt to get them to focus towards the digicam, however that does not all the time work. And bear in mind, that is nonetheless going to be an awesome shot. Proper. As a result of all people laughing on the pet.
After which you need to be prepared for something once you contain your pets. We’ve seen some actually splendidly humorous and lovely, and after I say humorous, I imply in essentially the most beautiful manner, the place the canine is so excited to see dad on the finish of the aisle or mother on the finish of the aisle. And they also go working towards them versus really doing the stroll that they follow over and over the day earlier than, the day of. However they simply get so excited they usually simply begin going as quick as they’ll towards their favourite human. And so preserving that thoughts as effectively.
Kristi: I like that. I like the, like, goal for the products, however be prepared to simply love what occurs it doesn’t matter what. Yeah.
Nicole: It makes a number of the biggest images and the best recollections.
Kristi: Yeah, for positive. So working with canines as you might be conscious, and the truth that you talked about excessive worth treats, I believe Zazie and I each wished to perform a little dance, like, that is one thing that as canine trainers, these are messages that we would like all canine guardians in all conditions to be desirous about. So everybody is aware of that working with animals could be a problem typically. And so what ought to folks do about these occasions when the pet is being unpredictable or is stealing the limelight? I believe you have already sort of bought into this. Like, perhaps simply settle for it and get some nice footage that you will love later. However do you may have some other recommendation if there’s a problem?
Nicole: Yeah, if there’s a problem it is likely to be that, you already know, your, your pet may want a bit of break, too. So perhaps, you already know, decide an alternate second that day the place you are going to get a bunch shot or when you actually wish to shot with the couple and the canines, canine, you already know, even cat, simply ensuring that, you already know, perhaps you try this shot not the place you supposed, however perhaps there’s an alternate place. So if you’re you already know, close to your own home? May you try this? Your yard? May you discover a house that’s away from folks in order that manner they’ve a bit of bit extra consolation versus once more, these giant teams, they’re probably not not used to every day. So ensuring you could find an alternate spot, or an alternate time, like perhaps the canine merely wants a break for an excellent hour or two, take the nap, is calmed down.
You realize, I like to make use of licky pads. We all the time advocate these the place you may have the pad and you’ll put some meals on it, a bit of deal with, after which, that typically will assist to calm them down. So that you may wish to try this for a minute after which come again to attempt to take these images. However actually, Kristi, I extremely advocate simply going with the move as a result of I see 1000’s of wedding ceremony images a yr, and so many individuals embody pets. And essentially the most joyful moments of the day typically are when your pets not wonderful. You realize, it is actually beautiful.
Zazie: I like that. I believe a number of the unpredictability of pets is simply what we love about them. So making that part of the big day when it simply occurs, I believe that is a very good thought. And in addition I like the way you’re desirous about the consolation of the pet and what the pet goes to be comfy and pleased with, and I believe that is so necessary.
And naturally, typically it is probably not appropriate for a pet to truly participate within the wedding ceremony. And you have already stated a bit of bit about a number of the different ways in which pets may be concerned. However I questioned when you might speak a bit extra about that as a result of some pets won’t be comfy. But additionally you may have some animals, and in a number of the images that we had been despatched, I noticed some large animals. I noticed some llamas, I consider. So some animals like that are not essentially going to have the ability to really come to the marriage. So additionally desirous about methods of involving pets who perhaps cannot really be on the wedding ceremony, what ideas do you may have there?
Nicole: That is an awesome query. What you are able to do is you are able to do the images forward of really going to any of the ceremonies of the reception or in between these occasions. So perhaps there is a time the place you make a cease at dwelling. Most photographers and videographers are prepared to journey to a few areas all through the day. That is often a part of a pure wedding ceremony bundle. And so that enables so that you can do perhaps preparing photographs. Possibly there is a second forward of the entire actions the place you meet along with your pets, discovering an alternate location when you’re not in a position to be dwelling, when you’re touring someplace, are you staying at an airbnb the place you may go go to the Airbnb? Is there a park that they are comfy with the place you may carry them to the park? Out of doors images with pets is basically beautiful.
Once more, you continue to wish to have your handler. You continue to wish to have somebody who’s there that will help you. However having an area park the place you may carry the pet to that, perhaps that is the place they exit of their day by day stroll, their day by day journey. They know the smells there. And so bringing them to that consolation stage. In case your pet is a horse, for instance, we now have a lot of these. Then additionally, too, simply going to wherever your pet lives and having images that is likely to be in entrance of that.
I do wish to warn, you need to sort of be aware of your apparel. So, you already know, you are all dressed up, and so you could have to be okay with a paw print, a footprint, some mud, like, simply sort of being aware of all of these issues and planning accordingly. Possibly, if you’ll be in a muddy space, ensuring which you could put down some fabric and even towels or a sheet round to sort of assist defend the apparel, your footwear and so forth. After which additionally, you may wish to wipe the paws forward as a result of they typically get excited and wish to soar on mother or dad. And so simply sort of be remembering that your pet’s going to be your pet despite the fact that it is your wedding ceremony day.
Kristi: They will not essentially perceive the human gravity of an attractive white gown or whatnot. Yeah.
Nicole: Yeah. And in addition, if I could add to it, like with {couples}, it is pure to really feel a bit of anxious and excited on that day, too. And in case your pet is delicate, they are going to really feel that as effectively. So simply sort of remembering that, too. Like, to sort of take a second to sort of be calm as a result of, I bear in mind how excited and nervous I used to be on my wedding ceremony day. It is like remembering to attempt to be as calm as you presumably can once you’re approaching your pet as a result of they could sense you as effectively. So simply, once more, going with that move.
Zazie: Nice. And do you discover many individuals working with the coach? So, considering of the canines, do you discover that many consumers work with the canine coach within the run as much as the marriage? Do they do a lot prep in any respect or simply go along with it on the day?
Nicole: A lot of them do rehearsal, and often with the rehearsal, the coach is there. So it is often simply the day earlier than a majority of individuals do, however I do really advocate that they perhaps have like a small celebration, like carry the canine, carry the pet to the rehearsal. Carry the pet to the rehearsal dinner. How does the pet behave? Have the handler go away along with your pet if that is the necessity. Having the canine coach work with you, perhaps having your engagement celebration, is your pet there, what are they like? Even for part of it.
In order that manner they’re round these bigger teams. Even when you may have household events and buddies over, they’re probably not giant events, like a marriage is, or the rehearsals. So giving them a few alternatives to see how do they do, as a result of actually, is the day going to be okay with them is basically necessary. So I like to recommend various kinds of rehearsals. You realize, many individuals get engaged, 18 months, a yr forward, six months forward. So use that point when you’re contemplating to carry your canine, like, what can I do? Ought to I be bringing them out extra to see how they’re with folks? Ought to I be bringing them to bigger teams and simply actually making an attempt to see what works for them once more? You realize, there is not any must put them in a traumatic state of affairs.
Kristi: I like that.
Zazie: I like that.
Kristi: Yeah, I believe I used to be considering the identical, my thoughts was happening the identical path that Zazie’s was. And I used to be considering, I would really like our listeners to know, in the event that they’re new to canine coaching, that numerous the issues that we will be asking for canines to do in a marriage state of affairs, like sit for some time whereas we again up and take an image, aren’t pure behaviors, they usually’re not naturally taught in a canine coaching class. And we do not often do them in our lives.
Usually after we ask our canine to sit down, we keep actually near them. It is really not an enormous coaching job to show a canine to sit down and keep whereas we again up and take an image of them, but it surely’s a coaching job. So that you want a plan. You want some good treats. You want to set a while apart to try this. I not too long ago educated considered one of my canines, I’ve this actually cool tree in my yard that sort of grew to the aspect after which up, and I have been coaching my canine to leap up and pose fairly majestically. And simply the quantity of coaching repetition it takes to get her first up there after which up there with me taking one step again after which two steps again after which I can do 5 step again and take an image.
So if there’s issues in your thoughts, when you’re planning what you need your canine to be doing for these wedding ceremony footage, simply as a heads up, you may practice your canine to do it, but it surely is not going to be on the day of. On the day of, it will likely be all of those implausible administration strategies, Nicole, that you’ve got been telling us about, like giving your canine a break, utilizing a licky mat to calm them down, catching them within the second, doing one thing cute, you already know, like all of this. Or having, you already know, most canines will readily sit beside somebody that that they know. Not all the time, typically they wish to face you. However you may readily practice these items and it isn’t exhausting and it’s totally enjoyable. However simply one thing to contemplate, not that you’ve a thousand different issues to do earlier than your wedding ceremony, however this can be a enjoyable one.
Zazie: Yeah, I believe so. Thanks very a lot for sharing all these implausible suggestions for us. Is there anything that you just wished to say about involving pets in wedding ceremony images, Nicole, earlier than we transfer on?
Nicole: There’s one different necessary half, and that’s along with your venue or areas the place you are going to be doing any sort of images or any of the actions all through the day. Ensuring that you just actually perceive what their pet insurance policies are. Do they permit pets? Possibly they do not enable them indoors, however they permit them outside. So ensuring that’s a part of all your planning, if you’re even contemplating your pet being a part of something, ensuring you actually perceive that. And that you just adjust to that, as a result of once more, you do not need the stress of that day the place unexpectedly you might be unaware that your canine is unable to return in and also you had an entire recreation plan with that being a part of the exercise. So ensuring that you just perceive that, asking these questions.
And in addition along with your photographers and videographers, many are comfy with pets, however some should not. So ensuring you ask that query as effectively if you already know, even earlier than you already know for sure if you’re bringing your pet or not. So asking these questions forward with all your venues and areas and expertise members which are going to be a part of the day.
Zazie: Good level. So necessary to examine. Effectively, thanks for sharing all of those fantastic suggestions with us. I believe they have been so helpful to assist folks get fantastic images of their pet as a part of their wedding ceremony or their engagement images and so forth.
This transcript has been evenly edited for content material and elegance.
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