With the festive season around the corner and paw-friendly events already in the calendar, there’s no better time to finesse your dog portrait techniques. Whether you’re planning to give a framed portrait to a loved one this Christmas or hoping to snap your furry friend enjoying a snow-covered park, it’s great fun taking the perfect doggy photo.
This article offers photography tips for capturing your dog’s unique personality, from using their favorite toys to choosing the best location for a playful photo shoot.
Capture Your Dog’s Unique Personality
Our canine companions have unique personalities so taking the time to observe your dog’s particular traits, habits and expressions will help you capture their one-of-a-kind character in photos. Start by watching how your dog spends their time if they like burrowing under blankets in their cosy bed or waiting by the door for highly-anticipated walkies.
You can also learn a lot from your dog’s expressions. Does your pup make hilarious faces when having their tummy tickled or tilt their head quizzically when they hear a strange noise? Pay attention to your dog’s personal looks so you can recreate them on camera. Next time you’re playing with your puppy and cuddling them (i.e. most days!) get to know whether they prefer to lounge on their back or love chasing balls more than anything. Observing what makes your dog light up will enable you to capture what they love for the best personality-filled portrait.
Experiment with Techniques for the Perfect Puppy Pose
When photographing your pup or adult dog, experiment with different ranges, angles and perspectives using the right camera gear to capture their unique traits. Get creative with how you and the camera are positioned. It’s quite common for photographers to forget to move themselves, so try standing on a chair to photograph your four-legged friend from above. This can emphasise their cuteness as they look up at you adoringly! Likewise, if you crouch down to floor level, you can lean in for an intimate close-up and capture that gorgeous nose.
If you want to leave some distance and use a zoom lens, you can frame your dog in their surroundings. This might be especially useful if you want to capture them next to your just-decorated Christmas tree as long as your dog and the tree are protected! You might prefer to shoot profiles of your dog in action or sitting poised and capture the most playful shots of your dog messing around with their favourite toy or jumping high to catch a ball. If you can, try and freeze-frame the moment your dog catches a treat in mid-air because photos of dogs leaping often look incredible. Take portraits of them sitting still and looking dignified. Variety shows the many sides of their personality.
Practice trying out slow motion shots too or, the opposite, and shoot rapid bursts to get funny or mid-action poses and remember to move around continuously looking for new perspectives. You can have a lot of fun experimenting with new and different angles of your dog plus they’ll love seeing you dart about with them. With an experimental approach, you’ll end up with a creative mix of shots highlighting everything endearing about your dog as well as capturing their personality from every angle!
Use Props for a Pooch-Friendly Shoot
To take a gift-worthy pet portrait this Christmas or create a festive card featuring your pooch, make sure your dog is ready for their close-up. For starters, grooming is a great idea to make them look their very best. Give your dog a brush to get rid of loose fur and untangle any knots. Trim your dog’s nails as well so they look neat and tidy. If you prefer, book them in for a groom ahead of the festive period so they look good for the holiday season.
There are lots of entertaining dog props and toys to photograph your dog looking playful. Consider bandanas, hats or even festive antlers to accentuate your dog’s personality in the photos. Just be sure they are comfortable wearing anything before snapping away. Have their favourite toys on hand to capture playful moments. Treats are also useful for getting your dog to gaze at the camera. Pick a time when your dog is typically active and energetic. Morning shoots can capture fun wakeup energy. Keep sessions brief to maintain their interest.
Pick a Playful Place Away or at Home
Finding the perfect backdrop is key to snapping photos that capture your dog’s spirit. If you’re away from home and on holiday with your dog, enjoy exploring the area to take memorable photos. Or, if you’re staying at home, head to forests they love or a familiar park. For instance, if your dog prefers the outdoors, head to the woods or beach where you can photograph them in their element. Check the forecast and aim for a photoshoot on a mild day. If it’s cold outside, ensure your dog stays warm and comfortable.
Indoor dogs will feel right at home posing on their favourite blanket or toy. Capture them lounging and being their cute indoor selves. You can also pick a room with nice natural lighting. When shooting indoors or out, look for good natural lighting. Position your dog facing the light source for best illumination. If you want some inspiration, look up dog photos and exhibitions online for some great ideas.
Also be mindful of cluttered backgrounds that can distract. Choose plain backdrops indoors and natural settings outdoors for a clean look. With the right backdrop and lighting, your dog will shine in the resulting portraits.
Win your Dog’s Attention
When taking photos of your dog, grabbing their attention is key to capturing engaging, personality-filled shots. Use sounds, toys and treats to get your dog looking right at the camera. Make silly noises like whistles or bark to pique your dog’s interest. Squeak their favourite toy or roll a ball to get them to turn their head and remember to praise and offer them a tasty treat when they look at the camera.
Patience is key – wait for your dog to show their true expressions. Keep the mood light and fun rather than putting them into a pose. With the right approach, you’ll get eye-catching shots that capture their priceless personality. If you snap loads of photos, eventually you’ll achieve the natural look you’re after. Candid photos of your dog playing, resting or looking surprised by a sound are often the sweetest. The more you photograph, the better chance you’ll have of taking the best dog portrait.
With some planning and experimenting with locations, poses and angles, you can capture a lovely photo that reflects your dog’s nature and illustrates what makes them extra special and gorgeous.
