Make Your Dog Instagram Famous! Everything to Know About Feature Sessions
When I started @DogsOfMKE on Instagram, I set out to photograph local dogs in front of Milwaukee-area locations that meant something to their owners. These quick feature sessions were all about the dogs and unique Milwaukee spots – this is Dogs of MKE, after all!
As my business has grown, I’ve added sessions that include humans, too, and provide larger edited galleries. However, feature sessions continue to be a budget-friendly and popular option for pet owners who want to let their dogs and the city we love shine! Today, I’m sharing what makes feature sessions special.
A Milwaukee Location Unique to You
The very first photo I took for @DogsOfMKE was of my buddy, Wallace, in front of the bar where his parents met, The Harp. That feature session and every one I’ve shot since then have something in common: a special Milwaukee-area location. Here are some important things to consider when you’re choosing a site for your feature session.
Something Different
Milwaukee and our surrounding suburbs are full of all sorts of hidden gems that make for amazing photoshoot locations. Feature sessions are a great way to highlight some of the beautiful and quirky places that make the area unique. The ideal feature session location is somewhere I haven’t photographed, at least recently.
If the particular Milwaukee-area spot you’d like to use for your feature session happens to be a common or popular one, we don’t necessarily have to find somewhere else. Instead, we can find a different perspective or view that we can highlight! When it comes to your session’s location, my goal is to show a side of Milwaukee that’s new and interesting. I have a running list of location ideas I’m happy to share with you, too.
If you want to make your feature session a bit more personal, consider choosing a location that holds significance to you as the human(s). Whether it’s the building you worked in when you first got your dog or the pub where a big life event happened, locations with special meaning are all the more fun to shoot and post about!
Supporting Local MKE Businesses
Feature sessions are a fun way to showcase the local Milwaukee businesses you (and your dog) love! As a small business owner myself, it delights me to tag Milwaukee businesses in features on @DogsOfMKE and shine a light on different establishments in the area.
Some of the best features have been of dogs spending time indoors at their owners’ favorite pubs, bars, and restaurants. On occasion, we even get special permissions to photograph feature sessions in places that don’t typically allow dogs inside. While I can’t make any promises, we’re sometimes able to get approval for a quick shoot in otherwise off-limits locations. I love getting to post those exclusive sessions and am always happy to promote local businesses!
There are so many Milwaukee-area restaurants and shops that welcome dogs with open arms (and the occasional treat). What I love most about feature sessions is that they let me share how wonderfully dog-friendly the city is. Posting features with local businesses on social media has also been a great chance to talk about things like current hours, COVID guidelines, and other timely information to help people continue enjoying and supporting local spots.
All About Your Dog
If you’ve spent time scrolling my Instagram or Facebook accounts, you’ve probably noticed that the dogs are truly the stars of the show! Feature sessions are all about creating memorable pictures of your dog that you can treasure forever. They’re quintessential dog photoshoots, featuring your dog and your dog only. While I have other session options that can include you and/or your family, feature sessions are shoots designed to let your dog be the center of attention!
The dog parents I have the pleasure of working with don’t consider their dogs to be pets: they’re family! I know how proud I am every time I see a shot of my Gino looking as handsome and adorable as ever. I love hearing how excited clients are to their dogs steal the spotlight on @DogsOfMKE!
Many of the dogs I photograph for feature sessions have their own Instagram and Facebook accounts, too. Feature sessions are the perfect way to share beautiful shots of your dog with their followers and brag about just how awesome they are!
Conclusion
If you want professional photography highlighting your dog and your favorite Milwaukee-area spot, a featured session might just be perfect for you. Click here to contact me and tell me what you have in mind!
