Top 5 Holiday Pet Photo Ideas (and How a Fresh Groom Makes All the Difference)

Your golden retriever is adorable and everyone agrees. But in last year's holiday card photo, they looked like they'd been rolling in leaves for three weeks straight. Which they were.

This year you're determined to get a decent photo. The kind you can send to relatives without apologizing for your dog's appearance. Here's how to make that happen, starting with a fresh groom and ending with a photo worth framing.

1. Classic Holiday Portrait with Festive Backgrounds

Keeping it simple often works wonders. You can have your dog sitting calmly in front of a decorated tree or fireplace for a timeless holiday photo. The key is making sure your dog is clean first. Matted fur and dirty paws ruin the whole aesthetic.

Professional grooming before photo day means your dog will look polished instead of scraggly. That means they’ll have a clean coat, trimmed nails, and no random debris stuck in their fur. After all, you're trying to create a greeting card, not document evidence of recent mud puddle discoveries.

Timing is important here, so it’s best to book grooming appointments 1-2 days before your planned photo session. That’s fresh enough to look great, but not so fresh they're still hyper from the grooming experience.

2. Matching Holiday Accessories

Festive bandanas, bow ties, or collars add holiday flair without requiring your dog to tolerate a full Santa costume. But accessories only work if your dog's coat looks good underneath.

A matted, dirty dog wearing a cute bow tie just looks like a matted, dirty dog with accessories. The grooming comes first. The cute add-ons are the finishing touch, not the main event.

Consider scheduling mobile grooming so your dog gets pampered right before the photo shoot without the stress of a salon trip. Less stress means better cooperation during photos.

3. Action Shots with Holiday Props

Your dog jumping for a treat, playing with wrapped presents, or catching snowflakes—action shots capture personality. They also require a dog who looks presentable from every angle, including the less-flattering ones.

But, of course, nothing kills an action shot faster than realizing your dog's rear end is covered in matted fur. Full grooming means every angle works, even the unexpected ones.

These photos work best outdoors in natural light, which also means your dog's coat condition is extra visible. There’s no salon lighting in the studio to hide problems.

4. Multi-Pet Holiday Photos

If you have multiple pets, then the photo shoot process is going to be a lot more complicated. Getting all of them to cooperate simultaneously while also looking photo-ready is its own special challenge.

Schedule grooming for all pets close together—ideally the same day or consecutive days. You want everyone looking their best at the same time, not having one dog perfectly groomed while the other still looks like they've been digging holes under the deck.

Mobile grooming is really helpful here. When the salon comes to you, that means you won’t have to wait for hours or watch multiple pets in order to get everyone groomed.

5. Candid Holiday Moments

Sometimes the best photos happen naturally. It could be from your dog investigating presents under the tree, napping by the fireplace, or watching snow through the window. But candid doesn't mean unprepared.

Even in spontaneous photos, well-groomed dogs look better. A clean coat and trimmed nails can go a long way, even in the most casual shots. In fact, grooming arguably makes the difference between a cute candid…and a photo you immediately delete.

Book Grooming Before The Holidays Arrive

Everyone in Parker wants their dog groomed before the holidays. If you try to book in late November or early December, you’ll find a lot of them are booked solid. Wait until the week before Christmas and you're probably out of luck.

So if you're planning holiday photos, book grooming now. It’s a lot better than putting it off until later, only to be disappointed.

The difference between a holiday photo you're proud to send and one you delete from your camera roll often comes down to one thing: whether your dog looked freshly groomed or like they'd been neglecting personal hygiene for months.

Need mobile grooming in Parker before the holiday rush fills up? Reach out online or give us a call at (720) 845-6616 to book your appointment. Don’t wait—slots fill up quickly around the holidays!