Let’s face it, taking photos of your dog can be challenging. Unlike people, dogs don’t always follow instructions. They don’t know to look at you and smile, and instead may flatten their ears and just walk away. How do you get that photo you absolutely love and keep admiring? Good news, here are 7 tips for taking great photos of your dog.
1. It’s All About the Light!
One of the single most important factors in photography is light. Before you snap your photo, here are some things to consider.
First, light can be hard or soft. Hard light is what you see mid-day, when the sky is clear and the light is bright. Without clouds in the sky, the light casts hard, clearly defined shadows.
Conversely, if it’s a cloudy day, light is soft and shadows are not clearly defined. This is ideal for photography since light from the sun is filtered through the clouds and is spread out evenly.
Photographing your dog on a lightly cloudy day is best. If that’s not an option, find some shade where your subject is protected from harsh light. Ideally you want open shade, where your dog is in the shade but you have plenty of light behind you. This ensures your dog is well lit even in the cover of shade.
Golden Hour: a beautiful time for photographs is an hour before sunset or an hour after sunrise. The light is soft, golden, and will cast a warm glow on your dog.
2. Get Low!
Have you ever considered what it’s like from down at your dog’s level? Crouch, kneel, or even better lay down and get eye-to-eye with your model. Perspective is everything, and your photos will take on a whole new look when taken from your dog’s view.
3. Background
As you prepare to take your photo, pause and look at what’s behind your dog. You want the viewer’s eye to be drawn right into your subject (your dog), and not be distracted by visual clutter in the background.
If you’re inside your home, pick a spot that’s tidy. Remember to look for light, so if possible position your dog near a brightly lit window.
4. Expression is Everything!
You know those images you look at that just grab you for some reason, there’s just something about that dog that you can’t forget? Often it’s the dog’s expression. This is a great way to show your dog’s personality.
If you want your dog to look alert with ears perked, try crazy, silly sounds. Squeaks, meows, whimpers, barks, different sounds work for different dogs. You probably have a toy or two with a squeaker you can use, or if your dog loves a ball or other toy hold that right over your phone. Some dogs are only interested in treats, so try this to get their attention. No matter what, just remember to always pay your dog generously with treats or ball play, or that irresistible toy you’ve been using.
Sometimes it’s better to wait it out and let your dog be himself. Some of the best expressions are those when your dog isn’t looking directly at you, but instead off into the distance.
5. Up Close and Personal
Don’t be afraid to get nice and close to your dog and fill your frame with his adorable face! This is a great way to be sure he’s the focus of your image. This is a great way to really emphasize his great expression too.
6. Variety is Key
Get creative and experiment. If you have a small dog, have someone hold him over a shoulder. Stand behind this person and snap a photo of your dog looking back at you.
Another fun option is to stand directly above your dog and look down. Make a catchy noise or hold a high-value treat so your dog looks directly up at you. If you time it right, you’ll end up with a sweet, endearing look.
7. Keep it Fun!
It can be challenging to catch a great photo of your dog. Whatever you do, be sure to keep it fun and take lots of breaks. Remember to reward your dog with playtime and treats (or whatever your dog loves), and your dog will learn that photo time is a great time.
Keep it light, fun, and short. Try new things. If you give these 7 tips a try, share a photo with me so I can admire your work and cheer you on. And if you’re still struggling, or decide you’d prefer some fully custom portraits from a professional, just let me know. You can reach me at jan@shadowdogphotography.com. Now go have some fun with your pup!
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