Tips for Great Dog Photography
Now that it's so easy to take digital photos of your dog and use them for anything from holiday cards to key chains, how about some professional advice for taking great dog photography?
Last Christmas I made cards using one of my dogs wearing a Santa hat and a jingle-bell collar. What we put our poor dogs through! I took a ton of photos and he looked decidedly grumpy in several. I labeled those ones "Merry Christmas. Or Die." I didn't have them made into cards, though.
Paw Prints Pet Photography took some wonderful photos of my dog in agility competition and generously offered these 10 tips for bringing out the best when photographing your dog.
- Plan to be patient. Taking a portrait is new for your pet and possibly new to you. Give yourselves a break and plan on taking your time.
- Take lots of exposures. Plan to take 10 times the number of exposures you might think you'd need.
- Choose a simple setting without distractions that's familiar and comfortable for your pet. Remove distracting elements from the scene in preparation.
- Choose a spot with a lot of bright, even light. Natural light is best. When using natural light, position the subject to face the light so your pet's face and eyes look nice and bright.
- Get a helping hand to hold a toy or squeaker right behind your head, to keep your pet's eyes directed toward the camera.
- Use words your pet knows to bring his or her ears up. Timing is important. Use the keywords right as you're ready to press the shutter.
- Let your pet do what he or she does naturally. Don't try an odd pose or a costume until your pet is relaxed.
- Take pictures of your pet misbehaving or misposing as well as in the pose you're trying to get.
- If your pet gets fussy or uncooperative, it's time to stop. You can try again later. Remember, this is new to your pet, and if you get flustered or impatient, your pet will probably react.
- If possible, choose a time of the day when your pet is usually relaxed, not energetic or playful.
And, last but not least (bear in mind these tips came from a working photographer): Hire a professional who specializes in photographing pets.
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