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March 3, 2022 by Terran Leave a Comment

Finding the Perfect Dog Models for a commercial photo shoot

If you follow my Instagram account, you have seen me post open casting model calls for commercial photo shoots. The world of dog modeling can be a strange and confusing place and the last thing a brand wants is to jump down that rabbit hole on their own.

So, I can do it for them!

I have a select list of “rockstar models” — the ones I know, love, and who have been expertly trained to perform great under almost any circumstance — but I also have a pack of aspiring models who are waiting and excited to be part of a new project! Couple that with my social media reach and it’s like my secret arsenal full of fur, slobber, and all the quirks any brand could ever need.

If you’re curious how my clients and I choose the dog models we’re going to use, then keep reading…

First, my client and I talk through their wants and needs

  1. What is being photographed and what type of dog will represent it the best?
    Brands showcasing leashes and collars call for short-haired dogs so their products can be fully seen and appreciated, whereas brands selling grooming products need a dog who loves bath time and doesn’t look miserable when wet!
  2. Does the client or brand prefer a certain breed of dog?
    • This is where knowing your target audience comes into play. We want to know who we need to reach. Who are their dogs? Are their dogs purebreds or mixes? It’s important to ensure the dog models are relatable to each brand’s target audience.
    • What size dog are the products made for? For example: large breed dog beds don’t need a chihuahua, they need a Great Dane, right? (Right!)
    • Are any breeds off-limits? Some brands need — or don’t need — certain breeds to represent their product or service.
    • Will the products look best on light-colored or dark-colored dogs? I’m fur-real about this one! Coat color can make or break the imagery you need.

Then, the model search begins!

Once I know what the client wants and the brand’s aesthetic expectations, I take to my secret fur arsenal to find the perfect doggo models. I’ll run through my previous models and clients first to assess if any of them meet the requirements for this particular shoot.

I have a list of questions I’ll ask the dog mom or dog dad to determine if their pup is a good fit. Questions like:

  • Are you available on x date in y location at z time?
  • Can your dog be off leash and does she have rock-solid recall?
  • Does your dog have strong sit, down, and stay commands?
  • Is your dog house-trained?
  • Does your dog love to {whatever action we need them to take at the shoot}?

Identifying A Dog’s Biggest Asset

Each dog model has an angle or special trait that makes him unique. We think about what type of pet photography would play to each pet’s strengths. We want to choose dogs who naturally enjoy doing the behavior we’re after. If we’re photographing fetch toys, then we want dogs who love to play fetch! If we’re photographing comfy dog beds, we want dogs who just love to relax at home. If we’re photographing dental treats…then you guessed it, we want dogs who love to chew on dental treats!

Dog Model Tip: The level of obedience training a potential dog has is vital information. (Hint: we generally want dogs who have stellar sit, down, stay, and recall commands at a bare minimum.)

This is an important step where we’re looking for the perfect balance of training, energy level, special traits, size, breed and comfort with the scouted location (indoor versus outdoor, leashed versus unleashed).


Friendly reminder: A professional dog photographer is more than just a photographer. We have a trained eye for all.the.things people photographers tend to overlook.


If I could photograph every dog that inquires when I have model calls, I would but with commercial photo shoots, we need dogs who will fit the brand’s needs while also being able to perform the required behaviors quickly and accurately.

Westway isn’t an animal talent agency, but if your commercial photography concept requires the recruitment of canine talent, chances are I can find the right dog to bring your vision to life!

Filed Under: commercial blog post, commercial pets

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Based in San Diego, CA
Traveling the U.S. in 2022
(858) 848-9378
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This is a common question we get about our travel! This is a common question we get about our travel! Yes, we are absolutely able to shower in the Airstream. We have a surprisingly large shower for a travel trailer — meaning, it's still small but it's a lot better than many we've seen.​​​​​​​​
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It's super-easy to shower if we are hooked up to water and sewer so we don't need to worry about our gray tank filling up or running out of water. ​​​​​​​​
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When we are off-grid camping or don't have a sewer hookup, we will take the fastest showers imaginable and turn off the water while it's not absolutely necessary. ​​​​​​​​
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My favorite is when we're "moochdocking," though, which is staying with friends or family on their properties. We get all the benefits of having our home but can also go inside for hot showers!
Happy boy Cooper loves adventure, going for walks Happy boy Cooper loves adventure, going for walks with his people, and exploring nature — and what better way to do all that than with a weekend trip to Vermont in the Airstream?​​​​​​​​
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Who else loves weekend adventure getaways???​​​​​​​​
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Thank you @wellnesspetfood for sponsoring our road trip journey!
Growing up, I can't remember ever seeing fields be Growing up, I can't remember ever seeing fields being irrigated in the northeast. Perhaps I was just never paying close enough attention or perhaps it's because the drought this year is seriously impacting our food supply.​​​​​​​​
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I thought this scene was so visually beautiful with the way the sun was sparkling in the sky and illuminating the water — but it's also a stark reminder of how dependent on the weather farmers are. The ability to grow crops is their livelihood and I truly feel for them during this dry, dry summer. I'm certain it's not an easy job.​​​​​​​​
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Greg and I have been enjoying visiting the small farms, businesses, and farmer's markets along our road trip route. We like supporting local families by buying directly from the people who are working hard to feed us all!
Everyone poops. Even Charlie. 😆🤷‍♀️💩 Thank goodness his mom now has a dooloop to carry it thanks to our trip sponsor, @dooloopdogs!​​​​​​​​
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These two were serious rockstars at our session together. We had a blast! (And can I just say: LOOK AT THAT SPARKLE LIGHT! 😍)
Did you know we're searching for dog + human model Did you know we're searching for dog + human models in all the different areas we are traveling? We're currently casting for next month’s shoot in Maine! Just visit westwaypets.com/model to fill out an application!
Successful commercial photo shoots don't just happ Successful commercial photo shoots don't just happen by accident. *Every* aspect is planned. I'm talking model selection, locations, time of day, clothing, hair, dog grooming, collars, and so much more... every detail needs to work in harmony to pull together the story we want to tell!
Christmas lights in the middle of the forest? No, Christmas lights in the middle of the forest? No, my friends. These are fireflies. They put on a show every night for us that is more beautiful than any holiday light display I've ever seen. Moments like this are exactly why we decided to leave life in San Diego — we wanted adventure, new experiences, and the opportunity to see more of this beautiful country than just our little corner of it.​​​​​​​​
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We are two months in to living full-time in our Airstream and we L-O-V-E it!​​​​​​​​
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Upstate New York
Max flipped for the treats at our photo shoot for Max flipped for the treats at our photo shoot for Old Mother Hubbard! This goofball absolutely loves being held like a little baby puppy... probably because he knows it gets him love and treats!
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Thank you, @wellnesspetfood for sponsoring our road trip across America!
I get lots of questions about our trip. Here's one I get lots of questions about our trip. Here's one! ​​​​​​​​
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"What has been your favorite stop of the trip so far?"​​​​​​​​
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We've had so many amazing stops! My favorite places to stay have been backed up to water or parked snuggly under the trees. There is one place that stands out, though: my aunt Joann's. Not only are we are tucked under the trees at her house in the country, but we have the most important thing of all while we're here: family! We get to spend time together every day, eat dinner together every evening, and play cards with my Nana (who lives 10 minutes down the road). An added bonus: the fireflies put on an incredible, magical show each night as they light up the forest beside us. It's quiet and peaceful here with chirping birds, gentle breezes, and the smell of fresh green growth. Roxy is so, so happy and so are we!
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