4 Photography Tips for Improving Your Dog Portraits

Today, more pictures are taken every 2 minutes than all of the pictures taken throughout the 19th century. Most of us carry a camera on us everywhere we go in the form of a cellphone. While some of these tips are geared more towards those shooting with DSLR camera, those who simply have a smartphone will be able to benefit as well. While gear is certainly important, you’re understanding of how to use it is what matters most.  Here are a few tips for you to better use your camera and capture your dogs best moments.

1 – Shoot in the Shade

Overcast days are excellent for portraits of any kind, including dog portraits. The clouds act as a giant diffuser and help us eliminate the harsh sunlight. If you are like me and live in an area where cloudy days are less common (Scottsdale, AZ), consider finding a large patch of shade where you can set up your dog or learn to shoot at sunrise and sunset. Sunrise and sunset shots are much more difficult but can produce beautiful images.

Stella – Overcast Morning

Faiza – Sunset

2  – Focus on the Eyes

When we take photos of dogs or humans, we almost always want the eyes to be the focal point of the image. The eyes always tell us the biggest story in a picture. If you’re shooting with a camera capable of capturing a shallow depth of field, this will be one of the most important (and difficult) skills you develop.

Bowie

3 – Get Low

Consider shooting from your knees or, my favorite, on your stomach especially with smaller dogs. This allows us to look straight into their eyes and gives the dog a stronger presence in the photo.

Sophie

4 – Train your Dog

I’ve been fortunate to shoot some of the most well trained dogs you can imagine and it makes my job as the photographer so much easier. If you’re out shooting your own dogs, take food with, be patient and think of it as a training session. I bring food along to my sessions with clients (and my own dogs!) which essentially turn into training sessions as well.

Tanzi