End Of Life sessions are very near and dear to my heart.

Six months after I started this business, my own dog, Sox, was diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer.

By the time we caught it, the tumor in his stomach was already the size of a golfball. The vet had no recourse.

We could’ve ever have imagined within six weeks, our beautiful, strong, and healthy boy would be gone.

At the time, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing photos with him given how sick he was, but I would’ve loved one last family session. We just never made time for it.

Sox was only nine years old.

It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life as I have so few photos with my boy. A regret I never want you to have.

Now, many years later, I am always honored to walk alongside pet parents during such a special and difficult time in their pet’s lives — and capture every beautiful moment.

I want you to have cherished moments and memories with your dogs with you in front of the camera.

So, today, I wanted to share more about what you can expect during a Forget Me Not Session and what makes these sessions so unique compared to our typical Pet Portrait experiences.

Ready to inquire about your Forget Me Not Session or want to learn more? Click here to read all about our Forget Me Not Sessions.

What A Forget-Me-Not Session Is

Forget-Me-Not sessions, also known as, end-of-life and memorial photography sessions for pets (usually dogs and cats) who are terminally ill, elderly, or pets who are cresting over into Senior territory.

These sessions are really designed to capture all the things you love about your pet along with moments of the two of you together. They take place at a meaningful place to you both, one of our favorite session locations, or your home depending on your dog’s needs, energy level, and mobility.

When Should I Book A Forget-Me-Not Session

Most clients reach out after a diagnosis, but I always tell potential clients that even if your Senior dog is healthy and feeling good to be able to participate in the things they love, that’s also a great time!

In my experience, pet parents often reach out too late and they have to say goodbye before we even get a chance to schedule a session.

While each pet guardian has to make the right decision for themselves, if you feel your pup getting older, slowing down, or changes taking place, that’s a good time to connect and have a conversation with me about whether it’s time to get something scheduled.

I know that it’s a time, energy, and financial investment, but I promise you, you’ll be glad you made it happen!

How These Sessions Come Together

I know that when you're in this season, you may not have days or even weeks to plan and put a session together. There are so many questions and variables and it can often feel overwhelming, but I’m here to guide you along the way.

If there's time for a proper planning call, we'll hop on a call beforehand to talk through what to expect, answer any questions, and learn more about your pet.

But if things are moving quickly, that's okay too — we can coordinate everything via text, email, or voice memos, just so everyone is on the same page and you feel supported prior to the session.

I’ll guide you through my experience(s) in working with pet guardians helping you to select the best location for your dog’s session based on their mobility, overall needs, and anything else that might make the session less stressful for you and for them. I also help you with what to bring, how to be prepare, wardrobe, location choice, etc.

As I only take a handful of clients per month, I always leave time in my schedule for last minute sessions as needed for Forget Me Not Sessions.

What Happens During the Session

There's no clock ticking in the background here.

We move at your pet's pace — full stop. If they need to rest, we rest. If they need to lie down, they lie down. Conversely, if they want to bring the energy and play the whole time, that’s also fine, too!

As we move through the session, we will capture a variety of images from moments of you all together, to special details about your pet, to beautiful portraits all with the intention to give you so much to remember from your session.

We encourage you to have all members of your pack at the session —both human and canine — this way everyone can participate in the session and be a part of these memories.

As a reminder, your pet doesn't need to be well-behaved, cooperative, or well-trained for this. However they show up that day — tired, energetic, stoic, or silly — is how we'll capture them.

Lastly, it’s important to mention that all emotions are welcome at Forget-Me-Not sessions. While we always try to lead with joy; we want this to be a happy, joy-filled memory of a time with your pet, everyone experiences Forget Me Not session differently. All of that is a-okay.

After The Session

Photographs can't undo what's coming. But they can give you something to hold onto — a way to remember not just what your pet looked like, but what it felt like to love them.

Together, we will design your finished artwork —whether physical items like albums, prints, or wall art or digital imagery — so that you may have something tangible to hold onto as well.

Many pet guardians come back to me months or years later and tell me these images become some of the most treasured things they own and how grateful they are they took the time to schedule a session.

A Note

If you're reading this because you think it might be time, I want you to know there's no wrong moment to reach out. You don't need a firm diagnosis or a set timeline to ask questions.

Whatever stage you're in — anticipating, in the middle of it, or simply wanting to be prepared — I'm here, and there's no pressure attached to reaching out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my pet need to be well trained to get great photos? No. However they show up — tired, energetic, food-motivated, or completely unbothered — is exactly right. We will work at their pace and what they are giving us to create beautiful images you’ll cherish always.

Where do these sessions happen? Forget-Me-Not sessions typically happen at one of our favorite session locations, but if your dog is immobile or too sick to travel, they can happen at your home or a space that’s meaningful to you and your pet.

What if my other pets or family members want to be part of it? All members of a household — both canine and human — are welcome at the session! We ask that their full entourage of extended family and friends hold off on attending as it can be draining energetically on the pet!

What if I am ready to reach out about booking a Forget Me Not Session? You can inquire on this page here!