Your phone is full of photos of your dog. I totally get it - we can't get enough of those furry faces and the dozens of cute things they do. Even when they're being rather naughty it doesn't matter, they still make us laugh. And don't even get me started on sleeping photos- why can we not resist taking photos of our dogs sleeping?! Trust me, I'm as guilty as the rest of you.

Most photos you see of dogs are from the vantage point of the person standing and the dog sitting. Your dog looks up at you and it's adorable so you have to take that photo. However, if you want to switch it up and take better and more varied photos of your pup keep reading - I have some ideas for you.

border collie in a stream

#1 How Low Can You Go?

General Rule - When your camera is on the ground it's almost low enough.

For dog photo sessions I spend 90% of the time on my stomach. Why is this such an effective vantage point? Because it puts you directly in their world and you are suddenly seeing what they do. This can enhance the storytelling aspect of your images.

You'll notice you can also see more of your dog. When you stand above them and shoot down you're often just getting their head and maybe some feet and a bit of their back. When you go low you see their legs, tail & full body. You can also capture some fun behaviors, sniffing along the ground, scooping up a ball, running and playing. Your photos will have a much bigger impact when you 'go low'. Look at the photo below and imagine that I had taken it while standing - I would have missed so much of Rosie interacting with her favorite ball and that sweet, intense & funny expression on her face!

#2 Background Check

The Star of the show

I say this a lot. Your horse and dog should be the star of the show - when you look at their photo there shouldn't be anything in the frame to pull your eyes away. I pay more attention to the background than anyone might realize.

Backdrops are powerful - they can make or break a photo - it's why I'm so picky about my shooting locations. However, a photo does not require a gorgeous showcase property for it to be a show stopper image. What the location does require is a minimum of clutter or distracting elements in the background as they draw attention away from your dog.

For example, my clients will tell you there are no telephone poles in sight at our session - they are big offenders when shooting outside. If you are out taking photos of your dog and you see a telephone pole pay attention - they just love to jump in the frame and sprout out of heads. Walk a few feet to either side so the pole is not growing out of your dog's head or back. I call it 'composing with your feet'. You are simply reframing your subject by moving a few feet in one direction. It's often a lot easier than moving your subject.

#3 Mix it up

Our dogs have personalities are just as varied as ours - that comes as no surprise to any dog-owner.

Watch them for 5 minutes and you'll see a full range of emotions: curiosity, love, hope (if you're eating), sass, surprise and so much more. It's fun to try to capture more than one expression or behavior. Especially if you look at all the photos of your dog on your phone and every single one is of them sleeping. Yes, I completely agree it's adorable but challenge yourself to broaden your horizons - you won't regret it!

#4 Get Their Attention (hint: less is more)

We love the cute, perky expression our dogs have when something grabs their attention. Their eyes light up, the ears go on alert and sometimes you get a great head-tilt. Naturally we want to capture all of that that with a photo.

We will reach for our phone and by the time we have it pointed at our dog the expression is gone, or they've turned to face another way or left the room!

The simple (but not-always-easy) formula is:

1.) Do something to get their attention (see below)

2.) Take the photo - that means be prepared and as soon as those ears go up hit the shutter

3.) Then try something else

If you keep calling their name (or using a noise) over and over again hoping they'll look your way guess what's going to happen? Yep! They will get bored (quickly) and tune you out.

Important - give them a break. Don't ask over and over for them to look at you. Let them relax and focus on other things then ask for their attention again. I switch things up constantly and if I see a dog is getting bored or anxious I'll ask the owner to take their dog for a 2 minute walk to help them relax and reset. I do that during some equine photo sessions, too.

Here are three things you can do to get a cute, alert expression:

1. Squeeze an empty plastic water bottle - it makes a crackling sound that most dogs will find interesting (horses, too!). Hold the bottle next to your phone or camera so when your dog looks s/he will be looking into the camera.

2. Throw or wave something - a pillow, plastic bag (horse owners are wincing at this suggestion right now), the water bottle - anything. At a session last year I used a mustard packet I found on the ground (ick) when nothing else was handy - see photo below. Note: an assistant makes this much more manageable. Holding your camera/phone while trying to toss or shake something is tricky.

3.Use your voice - don't just call their name - make a sound they've never heard before: chirping, whining, whistling, whispering etc. I do a high pitched whine that often gets good results. Use the sound once or twice then move on to something else. You have to get creative and try different things. Be prepared to get quite silly!

#5 Details matter

Remember the details.

Your dog is unlike any other! Their unique characteristics are we love about them. Yes, take photos of them happy and playing but you will treasure photos of the details, too.

The details don't have to be anything conventionally beautiful like a luxurious coat, piercing eyes or a classic profile. Often our dog's imperfections are what make them endearing. Celebrate them! My most darling dog had legs put together by a committee and her paws were shaped like paddles. Her coat was like a brillo pad and her left ear had a little flip on the end. Those details plus a thousand more are what made her, her.

Take photos of the details, you will be thankful to have those precious reminders.

So, let's summarize the above:

#1 Go Low

#2 Background Check

#3 Mix it Up

#4 Getting their attention

#5 Details Matter

Good luck and have fun!

P.S. What about horses?

What about horses?

All of the above applies except for 'going low'. If you are on your stomach photographing your horse (a little risky for starters) the camera will completely distort the actual shape and dimension of your horse and create a disproportionally big upper body with little legs. Give it a try just for fun and you will see it's an extremely unflattering angle for horses. If you want to shoot lower place your horse much further away so the lens does not have to tilt up to get your horse in the frame.

If you are reading all of this and feeling a little overwhelmed think about hiring a professional pet photographer. That could be me or someone else who is a great fit for what you want. Just make sure they have experience with horses and dogs because it is truly a special skill set.

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Take Better Photos of your Dog - 5 Top Tips

#1 How Low Can You Go?

General Rule - When your camera is on the ground it's almost low enough.

#2 Background Check

The Star of the show

I say this a lot. Your horse and dog should be the star of the show - when you look at their photo there shouldn't be anything in the frame to pull your eyes away. I pay more attention to the background than anyone might realize.

#3 Mix it up

Our dogs have personalities are just as varied as ours - that comes as no surprise to any dog-owner.

#4 Get Their Attention (hint: less is more)

We love the cute, perky expression our dogs have when something grabs their attention. Their eyes light up, the ears go on alert and sometimes you get a great head-tilt. Naturally we want to capture all of that that with a photo.

We will reach for our phone and by the time we have it pointed at our dog the expression is gone, or they've turned to face another way or left the room!

The simple (but not-always-easy) formula is:

1.) Do something to get their attention (see below)

2.) Take the photo - that means be prepared and as soon as those ears go up hit the shutter

3.) Then try something else

Here are three things you can do to get a cute, alert expression:

1. Squeeze an empty plastic water bottle - it makes a crackling sound that most dogs will find interesting (horses, too!). Hold the bottle next to your phone or camera so when your dog looks s/he will be looking into the camera.

#5 Details matter

Remember the details.

Your dog is unlike any other! Their unique characteristics are we love about them. Yes, take photos of them happy and playing but you will treasure photos of the details, too.

So, let's summarize the above:

#1 Go Low

#2 Background Check

#3 Mix it Up

#4 Getting their attention

#5 Details Matter

Good luck and have fun!

P.S. What about horses?

What about horses?

If you are reading all of this and feeling a little overwhelmed think about hiring a professional pet photographer. That could be me or someone else who is a great fit for what you want. Just make sure they have experience with horses and dogs because it is truly a special skill set.

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Take Better Photos of your Dog - 5 Top Tips

#1 How Low Can You Go?

General Rule - When your camera is on the ground it's almost low enough.

#2 Background Check

The Star of the showI say this a lot. Your horse and dog should be the star of the show - when you look at their photo there shouldn't be anything in the frame to pull your eyes away. I pay more attention to the background than anyone might realize.

#3 Mix it up

Our dogs have personalities are just as varied as ours - that comes as no surprise to any dog-owner.

#4 Get Their Attention (hint: less is more)

We love the cute, perky expression our dogs have when something grabs their attention. Their eyes light up, the ears go on alert and sometimes you get a great head-tilt. Naturally we want to capture all of that that with a photo.

We will reach for our phone and by the time we have it pointed at our dog the expression is gone, or they've turned to face another way or left the room! The simple (but not-always-easy) formula is:

1.) Do something to get their attention (see below)

2.) Take the photo - that means be prepared and as soon as those ears go up hit the shutter

3.) Then try something else

Here are three things you can do to get a cute, alert expression:

1. Squeeze an empty plastic water bottle - it makes a crackling sound that most dogs will find interesting (horses, too!). Hold the bottle next to your phone or camera so when your dog looks s/he will be looking into the camera.

#5 Details matter

Remember the details.

Your dog is unlike any other! Their unique characteristics are we love about them. Yes, take photos of them happy and playing but you will treasure photos of the details, too.

So, let's summarize the above:

#1 Go Low

#2 Background Check

#3 Mix it Up

#4 Getting their attention

#5 Details Matter

Good luck and have fun!

P.S. What about horses?

What about horses?

If you are reading all of this and feeling a little overwhelmed think about hiring a professional pet photographer. That could be me or someone else who is a great fit for what you want. Just make sure they have experience with horses and dogs because it is truly a special skill set.

Leave a comment

Tags

The Star of the show

I say this a lot. Your horse and dog should be the star of the show - when you look at their photo there shouldn't be anything in the frame to pull your eyes away. I pay more attention to the background than anyone might realize.

We will reach for our phone and by the time we have it pointed at our dog the expression is gone, or they've turned to face another way or left the room!

The simple (but not-always-easy) formula is: