I have two wonderful dogs: an Australian Shepherd named Stormy and a Border Collie named Fawkes.  I bought Stormy as a puppy for my husband shortly after we bought our first home.  She was a bit of a handful when she was a puppy, well, she is still a bit of a handful!  But that is ok, it is part of what makes up her character and why I love her so much.  A few years later, my husband and I rescued Fawkes from the Arizona Boarder Collie Rescue.  She just wants to give kisses, herd the cat, and chase balls all day long.  I love taking pictures of these two, but sometimes taking great photos is a challenge.  I do manage to get some incredible pictures to hang on the walls and in my office.  Here are some of my tips for taking better pictures of your dogs!

1. Playtime!

If your dogs are anything like mine, they get super excited when you crouch down and get on their level.  I have found that having a good play session will help them calm down and be less likely to trample me for kisses when I sit on the ground.

You can even take pictures while playing!  I will be honest, this is easier said than done.  For every good picture I get, I get about 20 blurry/out of focus/out of frame photos.  But those pictures that are good really show my dogs personality, and are usually quite hilarious.

2.  Commands: Sit, Lay, Stay

It helps tremendously if your dog knows the basic commands.  If your dog can sit and stay or lay and stay, you will be able to move around them with the camera to find their ‘best side’.  If they do not know these commands, they may try to run up to you or get distracted by the mailman.

3. Bribes!

Bribe your dogs to pay attention!  You know your dogs best, so use bribes/rewards that they respond to.  For Stormy that means treats.  For Fawkes, that means play.  My dogs are more likely to sit and stay for a longer period of time if they know there is something in it for them.  You can also have your dogs do some tricks and take picture of that!

4. Get on their level

We are always looking down on our dogs (unless you have a Great Dane).  Getting down on their level to take the picture provides a more intimate view of your dog.  It also provides a different angle than many of your spur of the moment snap shots.

5.  Focus Points

My dogs don’t always like to look at the camera.  When Stormy was a puppy, I taught her the ‘look at me’ command.  When I have my camera in hand, she will usually only look at me for a second before turning away.  If I say anything to Fawkes, she just wants to jump up and give me kisses.  So, I use a focal point.  I hold a ball or a treat under my camera lens.  It looks like they are looking directly into the camera, when they are really focusing on their reward.  After you get a good picture, remember to give them the treat or throw the toy!

Using these tips, you will be able to take better pictures of your dogs in no time!  When I figure out how to keep my cat from rubbing on my camera, I will give you tips for cats!  But until then, enjoy taking great pictures of your dogs.

I love doing pet photography.  If you would like pictures of your pets or pictures of you with your pets, Contact me!