A session with an animal depends on how it behaves on the day. What you can prepare is everything else: what the owner tells you about their animal, the booked duration, the location and what the contract says if the session has to stop. In Graindevue, the owner books your "Pets" package, signs the Pets contract, pays and receives the gallery.
This page follows a paid pet session, from the first question to delivery. Graindevue works in euros, for photographers working in France.
A pet session, step by step
| Step | Who / where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Questions | The owner, on your profile | "Send Message" to discuss the animal, the location and how the session runs, signed in to their client account. |
| 2. Request | The owner | The "Pets" type, your package, the date and start time, "Photographer's studio" or "Custom location", then "Book Session". |
| 3. Information | The owner | In the "Additional message" or the conversation: the animals attending, their fears, their health, what calms them. |
| 4. Contract | You, "Contract" tab | At your studio, "Add the shooting address" with the studio's address. "Generate Contract" from the Pets template, review, then "Send for Review". |
| 5. Signatures | The owner, then you | The owner signs first, then you sign. |
| 6. Payment | The owner | Deposit and balance as set on the package. |
| 7. Gallery | You, "Files" tab | Once the Booking is fully paid, "Upload" then "Share Gallery". |
Fictional example: Thomas, Pixel and Lune on the beach
This example is made up to illustrate the flow.
Thomas wants photos of his two dogs: Pixel, a lively border collie, and Lune, an older labrador who tires quickly. He books your "Pets, 2 hours" package for a Sunday at 9 am, at a "Custom location" on a beach near Vannes, before the walkers arrive.
In his message, he mentions that Pixel is scared of sharp noises and that Lune drinks a lot. You plan breaks and time with each dog separately within the two hours. Thomas signs, you sign, he pays the deposit. After the session, you deliver the gallery and Thomas downloads his photos.
Preparing with the owner
The booking form is the same for every type: information about the animal goes through the "Additional message" and the Booking's conversation. The Pets contract commits the owner to telling you before the session about:
- behavioural traits: fears, sources of stress, reactions to flash or strangers;
- health, and anything that could affect the session;
- stimuli to avoid and what calms the animal (treats, toys, cue words).
The package sets the duration in whole hours. Breaks, time for the animal to get used to the place and switching between animals fit within that duration: plan it accordingly, and confirm in the conversation which animals the session covers.
The Pets contract
For a package of the "Pets" type, Graindevue uses a template written for pet sessions. The contract text is in French. It includes:
- a flexibility clause: the minimum number of photos depends on the animal's cooperation, and you deliver as many usable images as possible;
- your commitments: respecting the animal's wellbeing, no physical restraint, a safe shooting space;
- the owner's obligations: liability for damage caused by the animal (article 1243 of the French Civil Code), being present for the whole session, up-to-date vaccinations and an animal in good health;
- interruption in case of aggression, extreme stress or the animal running off, and what follows;
- weather for outdoor sessions: cancellation with a full refund if conditions harm the animal's wellbeing, decided at least 3 hours beforehand;
- the rights assigned to the owner for private use, and a separate written agreement for any commercial use of the images.
You can adapt the template's editable articles (intellectual property, obligations of the parties, cancellation, mediation) on the package, or for one session with "Edit Template" while the contract is a draft. See the contract management page.
Package, payment and gallery
The package also sets "Minimum Shots", the delivery timeframe carried into the contract, and the price: "Simple price", "Itemize lines" or "On quote". Your prices are yours: see the guide on pricing your photography. The "Deposit Percentage", "Balance Due" and payment methods are set on the package: see the deposit guide.
The gallery opens in the "Files" tab once the Booking is fully paid. You upload the series with "Upload" and deliver it with "Share Gallery". The owner opens their gallery signed in to their account, ticks the photos they want and clicks "Download", or "Download All". Only the owner and you can open it. See the gallery delivery page.
What Graindevue costs
€29 per month after a 30-day trial with no card, and no platform commission on your Bookings. Online payments go through Stripe, whose processing fees apply. See the zero commission page.
Going further
- A session with the whole family and the pet: family photographers.
- The clauses to decide before signing: the photography contract guide.
To generate a Pets contract on a test Booking, start the free 30-day trial, with no card.
Frequently asked questions
How does the owner tell me about their animal?
In the "Additional message" of their request and in the Booking's conversation. The Pets contract commits them to telling you about fears, health and what calms the animal.
What if the animal does not cooperate?
The contract provides that the minimum number of photos depends on the animal's cooperation: you deliver as many usable images as possible. It also covers interruption in case of aggression, extreme stress or the animal running off.
Who is liable if the animal causes damage?
The Pets contract sets out the owner's liability under article 1243 of the French Civil Code, and commits them to staying present for the whole session.
Can I photograph several animals in one session?
Yes. The owner says which animals will attend, and the package duration covers the whole session, breaks included.
Can the owner use the photos for their brand?
The template assigns rights for private use. Any commercial use requires a separate written agreement, with an additional rights assignment.
How does the owner receive the photos?
In their gallery, signed in to their account, once the Booking is fully paid. They download the photos they choose or the full series.