So, you’ve been staring at your new 12 Months of Beagles calendar, and you’ve come to the conclusion that your beagle is much cuter. But you’re not quite sure how to go about photographing a dog. Getting the perfect shot of your little pooch takes a little know-how and a lot of patience, but it can definitely be done. Many people hire professional photographers to take pictures of their pets to frame and hang in places of honor. The good news is, you can often capture the same quality shots yourself without the hefty photographer fees. Location, camera settings, photo editing software, and most of all, patience, will help you get a photo worth hanging on your wall.
Key Factors for Great Dog Photography
Location
Location is crucial when considering how your dog will react to its surroundings and how those reactions affect your ability to get a sharp photo. Taking your pet to an unfamiliar place can cause it to act in undesirable ways. The dog may become hyperactive or agitated, making it more difficult to control the shot.
The best place to photograph your dog is outside in your own yard. Your dog will feel comfortable there and be more likely to follow your commands. Plus, your dog’s own yard is a great setting to capture it doing what it loves, like playing catch with your kids, running around, or even digging up your favorite flowers. Allowing your dog to do what it normally does will make for better, more natural photos and could even result in a unique candid shot. Consider the weather as well—overcast days are the best for outdoor photography. Bright and sunny days can create harsh shadows, making your subject unexpectedly dark.
If you prefer to shoot indoors, be aware that shooting inside comes with its own challenges. Lighting in a home is often not bright enough, which means you’ll need to use the flash. This can be tricky, as the red-eye effect from the flash is more pronounced in dogs than in humans. While you could keep snapping photos and hope your photo editing software will fix it, you can reduce the amount of editing needed by avoiding direct eye contact between the dog and the camera.
Having a friend help by waving toys or using treats can also keep your dog’s attention focused elsewhere. This helps reduce red-eye and allows you to get a closer, more focused shot of your pet. Even capturing a close-up of a paw or ear can be incredibly endearing. If you don’t have someone to help, or if your puppy won’t calm down enough for a close-up, wait until your dog falls asleep. One of the best times to photograph a dog is when they are sleeping. Keep your camera handy, as the perfect shot might appear at any moment. This trick is particularly useful for active puppies, who tend to be fast asleep when they’re not running around.
Camera Settings
Camera settings can make or break your dog photos. Blurry pictures won’t look great framed on your wall, and underexposed images can be frustrating. To reduce blurry photos, use the sports mode on your digital camera. This setting is perfect for capturing your active dog. Some of your best shots may be of your dog running around the yard with your kids, and sports mode will help you get clear, sharp photos.
Using your flash can also be essential for good photos. Even outdoors, flash can be helpful. On bright, sunny days, flash can help fill in harsh shadows, preventing your dog from appearing too dark compared to the surroundings.
Zooming in on your pet can add a personal touch to your photos. Fill the viewfinder with your dog’s face or focus on a specific part, like its ears or paws. Props can also enhance the shot, so zoom in on your dog and its favorite stuffed toy for a sweet, intimate portrait.
Photo Editing Software
While not a cure-all, photo editing software can save some of the images that may not seem great at first. It’s common for an okay image to become a favorite after tweaking it with editing tools. Red-eye is a frequent issue, especially when shooting indoors, but while software can remove red-eye, it can sometimes make the eyes look unnatural, which could throw off the entire picture. It’s best to avoid red-eye when possible.
One of the easiest ways to improve a photograph is by using the crop tool. A photo of your dog standing in front of a bush might seem dull, but cropping out the extra background and focusing on the dog can turn a lackluster shot into something remarkable.
These are just some basic edits, but more advanced techniques can further enhance your photos. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
Patience
Perhaps the most important tip for photographing a dog is having patience. It may take over one hundred shots before you get that perfect picture, and you have to be ready to wait for it. Dogs don’t always cooperate with our plans, so be prepared for the possibility that the shot you want might not happen on the first try.
Some dogs can be scared of the camera, especially the sound of the shutter and the flash. To help your dog stay calm, let it sniff the camera first. If your dog is especially fearful, try firing the flash a few times in the room with the dog, but not directly at it. This will allow your dog to get used to the sound and the flash. Then, you can begin taking photos from across the room and gradually get closer.
Dogs love interaction with their owners, so try getting down to their level to capture the connection between you. Lay on the floor or crouch down to take pictures of your dog, whether it’s lounging on the couch or looking out the window. These shots will feel much more personal and intimate.
Touches like these, combined with shooting in your own yard or home, will help you capture a unique portrait of your dog that a professional might not be able to achieve. Photography doesn’t have to be frustrating—just follow these simple tips, and you may be surprised by the beautiful portraits you create for your wall.
Article Supplied By:
M. Kaye Hash, Co-owner and photographer of the nature photography and eco-friendly gifts website. Melissa holds a degree in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has been writing and taking pictures since she was young and is also an avid animal lover who raises four dogs of her own.
