What Happens During a Professional Chicago Pet and Family Photography Session?

family portrait with dogs by Chicago Pet Photographer Candice Cusic Photography

If you’ve never booked a professional pet photography session before, it’s completely normal to wonder what the experience is like.

One of the questions I hear most often is, “What actually happens during the session?”

The answer is simple: everything is designed around your dog’s comfort.

Rather than rushing through a list of poses, we take the time to get to know your dog, allowing their personality to shine naturally. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish.

Welcome to the Studio

When you arrive, we’ll spend a few minutes helping your dog become comfortable in the studio.

There are new sights, sounds, and smells to explore, and we never expect a dog to jump straight in front of the camera.

Every session begins at your dog’s pace.

Every Session Includes a Professional Animal Trainer

One of the things that makes our portrait experience different is that every studio session includes a professional animal trainer.

While I focus entirely on creating beautiful portraits, our trainer focuses on your dog’s comfort, confidence, and safety.

Whether your dog is energetic, shy, curious, or simply needs a few extra minutes to settle in, having a dedicated trainer allows us to create a calm, enjoyable experience for everyone.

We Photograph for Up to Two Hours

Our portrait sessions last up to two hours.

That doesn’t mean your dog is working the entire time.

Quite the opposite.

We take plenty of breaks throughout the session. Your dog can rest, explore, have a drink of water, enjoy treats, and simply relax between photographs.

There’s no pressure to hurry.

Some of the most memorable portraits happen after your dog has had time to settle into the experience.

We Capture Your Dog’s Personality

Every dog is different.

Some are playful.

Some are thoughtful.

Some are wonderfully goofy.

Others are quiet observers.

Rather than forcing every dog into the same poses, we photograph the moments that naturally reflect who they are.

Those authentic expressions become the portraits families fall in love with.

After the Session

Once we’ve finished photographing your dog, you’ll take them home to relax.

Then it’s time for you to enjoy a well-earned lunch while I prepare your images.

About an hour later, you’ll return to the studio for your private design consultation.

Your Design Consultation

This is one of my favorite parts of the entire experience.

Together, we’ll view your portraits for the first time and select your favorites.

We’ll also design artwork specifically for your home.

If you provide photographs of your walls before your appointment, I can digitally display your favorite portraits at their actual size, allowing you to see exactly how different collections will look in your own space.

Instead of guessing what size artwork to order, you’ll see your finished designs before making any decisions.

It’s one of the best ways to ensure your artwork feels like it was made specifically for your home.

Creating Artwork That Lasts

The goal isn’t simply to leave with beautiful photographs.

It’s to create artwork you’ll enjoy every single day.

Whether you choose a statement piece for your living room or a collection that tells your dog’s story, every design is created with your home in mind.

More Than a Photo Session

A professional pet photography session is about much more than taking pictures.

It’s about slowing down, celebrating the relationship you share with your dog, and creating artwork that will become part of your family’s story for years to come.

That’s why every session is built around patience, expertise, and an experience that’s just as memorable as the portraits themselves.

Learn More About Cusic Photography

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    Chicago Pet Photographer

    Did you know your animal can have their own SEE HEAR LOVE Experience?
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I photograph your animal and connect with them intuitively to learn what they want you to know. Later that same day, you see their portraits and hear their words together at a private reveal.
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The Experience is $500 at Candice C. Cusic Photography in Chicago. Finished artwork is purchased separately.
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Learn more: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/
    “I’m small but mighty. I have feelings too. I’m important too.” — Peanut
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Before Peanut met his foster, he says he felt alone and unneeded.
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Then Michelle took a chance on him.
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    THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM FROM THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™ IS HERE. ❤️
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Meet Nori and Wasabi, a bonded mother and son looking for their forever home together.
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I connected with them telepathically to hear their thoughts, feelings and what they wanted people to know.
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During his communication, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella, the woman caring for him, all of his toys to make her smile.
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Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up.
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And Nori had her own story to tell.
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This is what The See Hear Love Project™ was created to do: combine animal communication, portraiture and documentary film so animals can participate in telling their own stories.
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We don't simply tell a story about an animal.
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We tell it with them.
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Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, please share it. Somewhere out there is the person who is supposed to find them.
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One animal. One story. One film created to help them find a home.
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SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
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    **YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO MODEL. 🐾**

We’re the only Chicago portrait studio with a professional animal trainer at every session.

Your dog gets to be a dog. We take care of the rest.

#ChicagoPetPhotographer #ChicagoDogPhotographer #ChicagoDogs #PetPhotography #CusicPhotography
    “Does she need a ribbon or a string? Because that cheers me up.” ❤️
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During his animal communication session, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella all of his toys to make her smile. Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up.
⠀
Wasabi came to the studio with his mom, Nori, for The See Hear Love Project™, where animals participate in telling their own stories through animal communication, portraiture and film.
⠀
Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, maybe their forever home is with you. ❤️
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Sometimes love sounds like something enormous.
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And sometimes it sounds like:
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“I would give you all of my toys.”
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Seen. Heard. Loved.

@sayvanimalorg 
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#SeeHearLove #TheSeeHearLoveProject #SAYvAnimalOrganization #AdoptDontShop #AnimalCommunication #AnimalCommunicator #CatAdoption #ChicagoCats #ChicagoPetPhotographer
    This is pretty exciting.

**Bored Panda just featured The See Hear Love Project.**

The See Hear Love Project is the world’s only documentary storytelling project told from the animal’s perspective. 

Through animal communication, shelter and rescue animals share their own stories, and we create fine-art portraits and documentary films to help them be seen, heard, and adopted.

I’m incredibly grateful to the rescues who trusted us with their animals and their stories:

@onetailatatime
@sayvanimalorg 
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**Read the Bored Panda feature:**
https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../

**Watch The See Hear Love Project:**
https://youtube.com/shorts/18yGgXeEX-0?si=xp8lSbNR8OkKkSX8

https://www.boredpanda.com/see-hear-love-animal-project.../ See less
    The See Hear Love Project™ is the world’s only documentary project told from the animal’s perspective—combining animal communication, portrait photography and film to help animals be seen, heard and loved.
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George wandered into Owen’s backyard one winter.
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And stayed. ❤️
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During George’s animal communication session, I asked him about his life with Owen.
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Then George told me something wonderfully specific:
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“Cookies in bed make Owen happy.”
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Owen’s reaction says everything. 😂
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These are some of my favorite moments in animal communication. Sometimes what an animal shares is profound. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking.
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And sometimes a cat who wandered into your backyard knows exactly what makes you happy.
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Seen. Heard. Loved.
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The See Hear Love Project™
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#SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #CatCommunication #RescueCat #AnimalStories #PetStories #AnimalCommunicator #ChicagoPets
    The See Hear Love Project™ wouldn't exist without the incredible rescue organizations that trusted me with the stories of the animals in their care.

Thank you for believing in an idea that was a little different, for opening your doors, and for introducing me to some truly unforgettable animals.

I'm so excited to share the latest sizzle reel for The See Hear Love Project™.

Every featured animal received a documentary film, fine-art portraiture, and an animal communication session designed to help people connect with the individual behind the adoption profile.

My hope has always been simple: to tell stories that help more animals find forever homes.

Thank you to every rescue, foster, volunteer, adopter, and supporter who has been part of this journey. This is only the beginning.

    Our location

    Located in downtown Chicago.

    1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

    By appointment only

    info@cusicphoto.com

     

    Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

     

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