How to take the perfect photograph of your dog

Digital cameras are so easy to use and quite cheap to buy nowadays. They are perfect for snapping away and then deleting the blurred shots. They can capture some very fast movements of your dog, so just snap away and then edit them down later! Some digital cameras also have a quick shutter setting so you can take quicker photographs, which is so handy if your dog won’t keep still or you want a photo of them running about. Digital cameras are now really small so they are light to carry and great to keep with you most of the time so you can capture those unexpected shots.

Have you ever been out with your dog and they have done something really cute, and you’ve thought “I wish I had my camera!”. Try and take your camera every time you go out with your dog, that way you will also end up with lots of different special moment pictures. If you then use the camera on a regular basis your dog get used to the presence of the camera and it become less of a distraction to them.

If you are a photography buff you may want to use a tripod, but when photographing dogs, you won’t need it. It’s best to photograph your dog with the camera in your hand. They are moving targets and won’t stay still. If you’re shooting a huge telephoto that requires a tripod to reduce the consequent camera shake, you’re not getting close enough. If you find yourself using shutter speeds too long for shorter lenses, you’re just going to end up with a blurred photo as your pet moves around.

Keep it simple and don’t use the flash. Pictures of your dog will always look better with natural light. Take them during the day. You’ll end up with far more better shots than you would photographing your dog at night. Sometimes your dogs eyes will beam and look pretty weird and dazzling, especially if you have photographed them in a dark room with a flash. You can capture your dog’s best features during the day. Then as you get a better at photography you can work up to flash later. The flash on a camera can also distract your dog or even frighten them. And the shock of the unexpected flash can also make them blink.

Taking photos outdoors is always the best option for photographing your dog. It gives you a great quality of light that indoor light cannot give. Outdoor photo shoots on animals always works best. Even if the weather is not sunny, you can capture some great moments. Like taking your long haired dog for a walk on a windy day! If you wish to take photos indoors try to stage the shots near a well lit window or in a room with plenty of natural light streaming in.

Posing your pet for portrait photographs is almost impossible. You will have heard the saying, “never work with children or animals”. Well this is true when it comes to posing for portraits. Posing just isn’t in their nature. Just let them do their thing; it can make for wonderfully cute, spontaneous photographs capturing their personality perfectly.

Unlike humans, dogs won’t stay still. And they don’t take direction too well either. So when you are photographing your dog be on your toes and be prepared to work around you pet. Try and think ahead when trying to capture a good shot. Get your camera ready before going in for the shot.

No one knows your dog better than you. So you will begin to predict what your dog will do when you begin to take pictures. Knowing what sets your dog apart from other ones will help you capture them more on film. If you have a gentle relaxed dog you will be able to capture them lazing in the sunshine or if you have a playful hyperactive dog you can do a photo shoot as they play in the park! If your dog can do special tricks or has a habit of chasing their tail, you can capture their personality perfectly.

If you are looking to get some nice still poses of your dog, it’s always a good idea to photograph your dog after they have had a good bout of exercise. That way they won’t be as energetic and should be easier to control. You can also get a few sleeping shots and some close ups. Our dogs look so sweet when they are snoozing.

If you are looking for some photos of your dog in action, get them to play their favourite game and then just snap away. You may be surprised at what you can capture. You will most certainly get the blurry snaps but some times you can take a great picture of them leaping mid air, or them running towards you. Obtain a digital camera that has a fast shutter speed function.

Taking close ups of your dog is the perfect way to capture their personaility on film. You can get some excellent pet portraits this way. Getting up close is not always easy, especially if you have a pet that likes to move around. So be patient and take those close ups when they are focused on something. If you can’t physically get close to your pet, get your camera equipped with a zoom lens function. Try taking close up photos of parts of their face and body. It’s doesn’t just have to be their faces. Their whiskers, ears, nose, paws and tail are all unique features that represent your dog.

Obtain as many different angle shots as possible. Mix up your framing. Dogs, just like human subjects, look different from different angles and framing them in different ways can bring out different perspectives to your pictures. Make sure you take three quarter body shots as well as full body shots. This way, you will end up with a series of shots that give the viewer of your pictures a full perspective on who your dog is. It will add so much variety to your photo album.

Take a pet’s-eye-view of the world when taking your photographs. Get down on your dog’s level where you can look at them eye to eye. Taking photos of your dog from above can make them look far away. It also makes the photo’s look like they are from a humans perspective. So get up close and personal with your dog and see the world as they see it. Take some photos laying on the ground as they play around, and they will look pretty unique and intimate. If you are up for it, try rolling around to take pictures of your dog from different and unusual angles. Here’s an ideal time to use your imagination.

Trying to make your dog stay still and pose for a photo can be frustrating. Posed photos can also look pretty amateurish too. Instead of trying to pose your dog, embark on a playful game then snap a few photos as you have fun with your dog. You will capture your dog doing what they do best, moving, playing and being active. You are sure to get some real happy shots of your pooch!

Also look out for those doggy moments that are pretty rare and just shoot away. When dogs chase bubbles, roll on their back or even start digging holes. Many of these adventures can really capture your dogs personality and spirit.

Also take pictures while someone else plays with your dog. Get your dog engaged and active. You never know what they’ll do. Make your photo shoot a fun experience for both you and your dog, and your photographs are likely to reflect your enjoyment.

Using dog treats can really help your dog to focus. Or you can use their favourite toy to try and get their attention. But you will have to be quick, they won’t stay still for very long!

If you really want to create a perfect memory, try and choose a location that suits you and your dogs personality. A place where you both spend happy times together. It could be at the park or playing in the snow or even playing on the beach. You can create a great photo (or even an album) that will evoke those happy memories for many years to come. The backgrounds should be more plain than distracting, so that your dog will be the main focus in the picture. Plain grass with only a few flowers, a plain wall or carpet will make your dog stand out more.

We have already suggested that you avoid using the flash on the camera. It can be distracting and give your dog ‘red eye’ in the finished photo. And if you photograph your dog in the sunshine, make sure the sun is shining on them, and not from behind them otherwise you will get them as a silhouette.

Have some fun and incorporate objects from around the house, they help to tell a story. Include your dog’s favourite toys in the shots. Try and take photos of them playing tug with you or them running after their ball. Even photograph them eating or drinking. And if you do have dog fancy dress outfits, use them (if the dog doesn’t mind that is!). Get creative!

Taking photographs of your dog won’t be easy, but it can be so much fun if you allocate some time and be prepared for it. It’s better to get one great shot then loads of average snaps (think of the memory you’ll save for starters). Take your time and be patient with your model. Work around them and capture them in their everyday spontaneous world and you will end up with some very unique photos indeed.

Capturing great pictures of your dog can be a triumph and sharing them is all part of the fun. Uploading them onto social media sites will always be a winner and even printing them up for gifts or Christmas cards is also a wonderful idea. Better still, you can take your new found hobby and photograph a friend or relatives dog and give the owner a photo album that they will never forget! Seeing your pet from another person’s perspective is always interesting.