Occasionally I have a request to include a pet in a portrait. That’s usually a dog. Often the client asks, “Is it hard to make a portrait with a dog?” In itself it is not difficult. The problem is usually in the photo session. You can´t say to a dog “Sit there and look at the camera.” Some dogs are easy but not all. I have a dog myself and I know from experience how they can react. So when I’m going to do a photo shoot for a portrait in which a dog is to be included, I am prepared. I do this: I ignore the creature altogether from the moment I enter the sitters home. If not, he won´t stop trying to convince me that he is the cutest dog in the world. Which does not benefit the session pose.
Funnily enough, with children I often have a similar approach. In the beginning I don´t pay too much attention. Later I try, unobtrusively, to win their trust. At that moment I play the role of an actor, more than a portrait painter.