The Joybringer Project
Good dog. Great joy.
The Joybringer Project
a celebration of the dogs who bring joy into our lives every single day.
In a noisy world, there is joy.
Life gets busy, and there is always something (or more accurately things) demanding our attention. But every day, in the middle of work deadlines and social commitments and daily family life, there is a constant:
A dog waiting at the door. A familiar presence at your feet. An attentive listener & snuggler. A reminder that joy doesn’t have to be complicated.
The Joybringer Project is a celebration of the dogs who bring joy into our lives, not just occasionally, but every single day.
Your dog’s story is worth sharing!
At the completion of the project, your dog’s story and framed artwork will be featured in a public gallery exhibition. Join me and fellow dog lovers to connect and celebrate!
After the event, take your artwork home to enjoy every day.
Why This Project Exists
In 2016, Megan Murray Photography began with one simple focus: photographing dogs outdoors, just as they are — loved, expressive, and deeply connected to their people.
Ten years later, this project returns to the heart of where it all started.
Not as nostalgia, but as gratitude.
Dogs are more than pets.
They are witnesses to our lives.
They sit with us in joy and in difficulty.
They don’t ask for explanations.
They show up, every day.
This project is about honoring that presence.
What Is The Joybringer Project?
The Joybringer Project is a limited-time studio dog portrait experience created to celebrate ten years of Megan Murray Photography.
Each participating dog will receive:
A thoughtfully guided studio portrait session
One image selected to be included in a curated gallery exhibition
A printed piece of artwork to take home following the exhibit
The goal is simple:
to create honest, beautiful portraits that reflect the quiet joy dogs bring into our lives.
The Portrait Experience
Sessions are photographed in the studio with a clean, timeless approach — allowing your dog’s expression, personality, and presence to take center stage.
Clients are welcome to:
Add family portraits to their session
Upgrade to an outdoor or on-location session
Purchase additional artwork beyond the included piece
Whether your dog is energetic, reserved, young, or grey-muzzled, they are welcome exactly as they are.
The Joybringer Gallery Exhibit
At the conclusion of the project, all participating dogs will be featured together in a studio open-house gallery exhibition.
This relaxed, celebratory evening will include:
One exhibited image from every dog in the project
Framed artwork displayed throughout the studio
Light refreshments and time to gather, connect, and celebrate
At the end of the event, each family will take their artwork home — a tangible reminder of the joy their dog brings into their life.
No formal program.
No speeches.
Just gratitude, presence, and shared love.
Who This Project Is For
Anyone who knows their dog is family
Anyone who wants to pause and celebrate something good
Anyone who understands that joy doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful
You don’t need a special reason.
Your dog already is one.
Availability
The Joybringer Project is available for a limited number of sessions to ensure each dog receives thoughtful attention and care.
Sessions will take place in the studio over a defined period, with the gallery exhibit held at the conclusion of the project.
Reserve Your Session
This is an invitation to slow down.
To notice what matters.
To honor the presence that greets you every day without fail.
Because in a world full of noise,
joy still waits at the door.
A heart for animals
“What struck me during the session is Megan’s incredible patience - my dog Pixie is a senior rescue with vision and hearing limitations among many other issues. Megan has a heart for animals and it shows in her body of work. Highly recommend!”
Session options for dogs
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Studio Dog Portraits
Where less is more. No distractions - just clean, classic portraits where your dog is the star!
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Outdoor Dog Portraits
When the environment is part of the story, your favorite park, trail, or skyline sets the scene for vibrant photos.
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Dog + People Portraits
Want to be photographed with your dog? Great! Click the button below to learn more.
Best day ever
“Megan exceeded all our expectations from the initial consultation to gather our ideas, to the installation of the completed project. The part we were most impressed was how well Megan handled the photo shoot. Our dog had the best day ever - she knew she was the star of the show and totally had a blast!”
Meet Megan (and Penny!)
We all know who runs the show at our house and - hint hint - it’s not me! Penny has us all wrapped around her little paw. Can you relate?!
A stress-free, pet-approved experience
Attentive service
My goal is to make the process easy for you! From guidance on where to hold your session to posing to to how to best display your portraits, I’m here to help.
Plenty of patience
Don’t worry if your dog isn’t trained - I’ve worked with all different personalities and have a bag of tricks to get great portraits.
Archival quality artwork
I’ve curated a collection of the finest printed products available in the industry, and your artwork comes with a lifetime warranty.
Couldn’t be happier
“Megan was great with Arty and getting his attention. She was patient and had such a fun and positive attitude which made the whole experience awesome. The photos came out amazing - I couldn’t be happier with them!”
Think your dog won’t behave?
Shhhhh, I’m going to let you in on a secret: most of the dogs on this website were photographed with their leashes on. No special training required!
No training? No problem!
3 simple steps to dog portraits you’ll love
Planning consultation
Individualized attention to learn more about your dog and portrait goals. We’ll design a session that’s tailored to your dog’s personality.
Portrait session
A relaxed portrait experience with plenty of time for fun and laughter. We’ll get a variety of poses and expressions to capture all your favorite features of your dog.
Artwork
Choosing your favorite images might be the hardest part! I’ll help you design the perfect artwork for your home.
Best money I’ve ever spent
“I was worried there’d be no way to capture a good photo of my pup Noah, who is older and not the best behaved. But as soon as I met Megan, I knew I didn’t need to be worried. She was great with my dog and had tons of great ways to keep his attention focused. And oh, the photos. Happy doesn’t begin to describe how much I love these photos. I’m completely obsessed. I’ll cherish these photos forever. Money spent on photos is the best money I’ve ever spent!”
Your dog as art
Make your house a home! Choose from the finest archival quality wall portraits, paintings, albums, folio boxes, and desk portraits.
All purchased artwork includes the matching high-resolution digital file(s).
A book of memories
“Absolutely amazing. What started off as a Christmas card project turned into a book of memories. The most gorgeous photos of me and my dog!”
Dog photography on the blog
Cherish these photos forever
“I lost my best friend Luna just weeks after her photoshoot with Megan. We knew her time was coming, and it was important for me to get professional photos of my dog before she was called over. Megan was patient and creative in setting up Luna to look her best. I will cherish these photos forever.”
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No training? No problem. I’ve worked with all kinds of dog personalities - patience, treats, toys, and a little space go a long way. For outdoor sessions, most dogs are photographed on a leash, which can be removed in Photoshop if needed.
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We'll discuss the best location for your session during the planning consultation. Options include my studio near downtown Houston, your home, or a wide variety of urban and rural settings throughout the Houston area. View the dog & family portfolios to see more images taken in studio, at home, and outdoors.
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Absolutely yes! I always encourage families to include their dogs, as they're part of the family and those memories of you with your best friend are priceless - get more info on family photography.
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Most people choose to decorate at least one wall in their home with wall art, and then put the rest of their favorite images in an album or folio box. I’ll be your design consultant and help you select the sizes and finishes to complement your space. With your artwork purchase, you'll also receive the matching digital file(s), which can be used for archiving, personal printing, and sharing online.
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It can be difficult to choose the perfect photographer for your family. As a fellow dog mom with over 10 years experience photographing dogs, I understand how important your dog is to you! You’ll get a fun & personalized experience resulting in beautiful, tangible artwork.
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Yes, pet portrait minis are offered in studio. Get in touch to book yours!
Dog photography FAQs
Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. Have another question? Happy to help - simply get in touch!
It’s your dog’s time to shine!