Irish Wolfhounds posed together at sunset during an outdoor dog photography session in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

For people who know their dogs are family

The muddy paws. The gray faces. The moments you already know you’ll miss someday.

For the deeply attached.

For the dogs that changed your life.

Dog photographer serving Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, the DC area, and the Shenandoah Valley.

I specialize in dog photography throughout Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, including Loudoun County, Clarke County, Winchester, Berryville, Purcellville, Leesburg, Middleburg, Front Royal, and surrounding communities. My work includes dog portraits, dog and family photography, senior dog sessions, puppy photography, and end-of-life Rainbow Sessions.


Since 2019, I've photographed hundreds of dogs of all ages, personalities, and training levels. Whether your dog is leash-only, reactive, easily distracted, or happiest running full speed through a field, sessions are designed around who they are, not who they're expected to be.



Samoyed dog walking through a field at golden hour in Northern Virginia at Long Branch Historic Farm near Berryville Virginia.
What matters most

Connection over perfection.

Let dogs be dogs.

Serving the Northern virginia and shenandoah valley since 2019
White pit bull smiling with paws on a log beside the Shenandoah River in Clarke County, Virginia during a joyful end-of-life rainbow session

 

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Dog portrait in blooming daffodils at sunset near Berryville, Virginia during a Northern Virginia dog photography session.

 

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Photographer Kayleigh Coffman kneeling in the grass and kissing her senior dog Kenzie on the forehead in a wooded park in Northern Virginia

NORTHERN VIRGINIA DOG & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Specializing in dog portraits, dogs and their families, senior dog sessions, and Rainbow Sessions.

FOR DOGS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO BE DOGS.


The best photographs usually happen somewhere between the chaos and the quiet. Windblown ears. Creek water flying everywhere while your dog runs full speed through a field. The way they lean against your legs when they're tired. The look they give you when they know exactly who their person is.


Many of the dogs I photograph are rescues, reactive, leash-only, anxious, aging, distracted, or simply more interested in exploring than sitting still for a camera. I've spent years working with dogs of every personality type, from photographing shelter dogs while learning my craft to training a therapy dog of my own. Because I understand dog behavior and body language, sessions are shaped around your dog's comfort instead of rigid expectations.


You don't need a perfectly behaved, off-leash dog to have meaningful photographs. You just need a dog being themselves. That's the stuff I'm paying attention to.

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My recent work

 

A wet gray dog splashing through a shallow river surrounded by autumn foliage in golden hour light on the Shenandoah river
A young woman with auburn hair tenderly nuzzles a white Labrador dog outdoors in golden sunset light in Loudoun County Virginia.
A fluffy white Samoyed dog sits in a green field at sunset with dramatic clouds and trees in the background in Clarke county Virginia
Silhouette of person bending down to interact with a dog at sunset with dramatic cloudy sky backdrop near Berryville Virginia
A fluffy brown dog joyfully runs across a green lawn carrying a ball in its mouth on a sunny day in Clarke County Virginia.
A brown and white mixed breed dog sits attentively on a woodland path surrounded by lush greenery near Berryville Virginia
A Scottish Deerhound stands in a sunlit park, featured in Four on the Floor Top 20 award outside of Washington, DC.
An adorable golden retriever puppy sits in front of a Royal Cinemas marquee at night in Front Royal Virginia
Blonde woman in lace top lovingly nuzzling a Golden Retriever dog outdoors at sunset in Millwood Virginia
A silhouette of a dog standing under a tree against a vibrant pink and orange sunset sky in northern Virginia
Majestic Alaskan Malamute dog with black and white fur posing outdoors in golden hour bokeh light in DC suburbs
Happy white American Bulldog sitting in lush green ferns looking up at camera with tongue out in Northern Virginia area
Brown and white English Bulldog sitting on a mossy fallen log in a green forest near Leesburg Virginia
Beautiful black German Shepherd sitting on grass with golden sunset bokeh background near Middleburg Virginia.
Fluffy black and white Finnish Lapphund dog lying on gravel path in front of historic stone building at Blandy Experimental Farm.
Gorgeous Corgi dog lying in green grass field with warm golden sunset light behind it near Winchester Virginia.

FAQ

What if my dog can't be off leash?

That's completely normal. Most of the dogs I photograph are actually on leash during their session.

I can remove leashes from almost every image, so you don't have to choose between safety and beautiful photographs. If you have a long lead, bring it! It gives your dog a little extra freedom to sniff, explore, and be themselves. But if not, that's perfectly fine too.

At the end of the day, I'd much rather have a safe, happy dog than an off-leash dog. Most of the time, you'd never know the leash was there.

My dog isn't trained. Can we still do a session?

Absolutely.

Most of the dogs I photograph are family pets, not show dogs. They don't need perfect obedience, a flawless stay, or even much training at all.

My sessions are designed around your dog's personality and comfort level. We'll take breaks, follow their pace, and work with who they are instead of expecting them to perform.

Some of my favorite images have come from dogs who were far more interested in sniffing the grass than looking at the camera.

The goal isn't perfection. It's creating photographs that feel like your dog.

My dog is reactive. Can we still do a session?

Often, yes.

Many of the dogs I've photographed are reactive, anxious, leash-sensitive, or simply uncomfortable around unfamiliar people. Before photography became my career, I spent years working with dogs in other capacities, including rescue dogs and SPCA adoptables, which taught me how to read canine body language and adjust my approach accordingly.

Reactive dogs don't need to love everyone. They don't even need to interact with me.

We'll choose a location that sets your dog up for success, give them the space they need, and work at their pace. My goal is never to force an interaction. It's to help your dog feel safe enough to relax and be themselves.

Some of my favorite sessions have been with dogs whose owners worried photos wouldn't be possible at all.

What if my dog hates the camera?

Perfect. Most dogs do.

The good news is that your dog doesn't need to be photogenic, trained, or interested in posing. Getting their attention for a moment is usually the easy part. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for that.

The real magic happens when I stop trying to make your dog be something they're not and start photographing who they already are.

Some of my favorite images have come from dogs whose owners swore they'd never cooperate.

Where do sessions take place?

I have a growing list of favorite locations throughout Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, from open fields and wildflowers to rivers, historic properties, wooded trails, and mountain views.

Before your session, we'll talk about the look and feel you're hoping for, as well as any special considerations. If your dog is reactive, easily distracted, nervous around people, or needs a more secluded location, I'll help choose a spot that sets everyone up for success.

The best location is the one that fits your dog, your family, and the story you want your photographs to tell.

What should I wear to my session?

Don't worry, you won't be figuring it out alone.

Every client receives a welcome guide after booking that includes outfit tips, color palettes, and suggestions to help you feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera.

In general, I recommend coordinating rather than matching, choosing clothing that complements the season and location, and avoiding large logos or busy patterns that can distract from the connection in your images.

If you're stuck between a few options, I'm always happy to help. Feel free to send photos of outfits you're considering, and I'll gladly give my input.