5 Dog Photography Tips for Stunning Results
- Tips for Working with Dogs
- Dog Photography Equipment
- Dog Photography Composition Techniques
- How to Capture Expressions and Emotions
- Location Scouting for Dog Photography
- Final Thoughts on Dog Photography
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- Use a fast shutter speed and burst shooting to capture sharper images.
- Autofocus is your best friend! Especially if your camera has animal/animal eye subject recognition technology.
- Experiment with different angles, perspectives, apertures, and focal lengths.
- Create a shot list before your photo shoot to be more efficient.
- Patience is key. Dogs are unpredictable, and photographing dogs is very different from photographing people.
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Photo by TMArt via Shutterstock
Pet photography has exploded in popularity in the last few years—so much so that today, thousands of social media accounts are dedicated solely to our furry little friends! And of all the pets out there, dogs are far and away the most popular pets to photograph!
If you want to take better photos of dogs, this dog photography guide is for you. Below, we’ll discuss the five most important dog photography tips to achieve stunning results. They include how to work with dogs, photography equipment for dog photography, composition techniques, how to capture dog expressions/emotions, and the importance of location scouting.
Moreover, our dog photography tips will help you enhance your skills, whether you are a professional photographer shooting other people's pets for a living or simply a loving pet owner who wants to take better photos of your dog. That said, keep reading to discover how to improve your dog photography!
Check out the video above by B&H Photo Video Pro Audio to learn more about dog photography from a professional dog photographer.
Table of Contents
Tips for Working with Dogs
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Before working with dogs, the first thing you should do is study a little bit about dog behavior. In general, dogs are friendly, social animals, and knowing how to interact with them and control their behavior will give you a huge leg up during dog photography.
When dogs behave well during a photo shoot, we always recommend positive reinforcement techniques. They work much better than punishing a dog who is misbehaving. Furthermore, punishing or acting negatively towards the dog is never appropriate if the dog is not yours.
Creating a safe and comfortable dog environment will also lead to better results. A relaxed dog will behave better and be more playful and photogenic. In contrast, capturing standout images of a nervous or stressed dog is infinitely harder.
Dog Photography Equipment
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While professional photographers own an endless list of photography gear and gadgets, you must have three basic essentials for dog photography: a good camera body, two lenses, and a tripod.
The most important specs to consider when choosing a camera body are autofocus and continuous shooting speed. Owning a camera that excels in these two departments will immediately impact your results. A solid dog photography camera for beginners is the Sony Alpha a6100 and a good option for professionals is the Nikon Z9.
Regarding lenses for dog photography, we suggest always carrying a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens in your photography kit. Finally, a great tripod for dog photography is the Octopad. It’s a one-of-a-kind, lightweight travel tripod compatible with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, smartphones, action cameras, and more!
Learn More:
Dog Photography Composition Techniques
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When getting started in dog photography, a simple way to boost the visual appeal of your photos is to compose them well. To do this, you should focus on the basic principles of photography composition, including framing, the rule of thirds, and leading lines. You should also keep the environment and background in mind because it can enhance or detract from your image.
Low-angle photography pairs especially well with dog photography because it captures images from their perspective, making the viewer feel more connected with the animal. The Octopad is an ideal tool for low-angle photography.
In fact, the Octopad is ideal for dog photography, too, because it’s incredibly durable, lightweight, and easy to transport. Throw it in your camera bag and have it at the ready for cut photos of your doggo at a moment’s notice. Better still, its durable construction means that even if Fido takes an interest in it, you don’t have to worry about him destroying it!
And since the Octopad is compatible with so many different devices, you can use all sorts of different cameras and accessories to level up the quality of your dog photos. The low angle point of view provided by your camera on the Octopad at ground level can get you some great results!
How to Capture Expressions and Emotions
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Just like when you are photographing people, establishing a rapport with dogs is crucial to taking great dog photography. Having that trust with a dog allows you to interact with it better and makes it more comfortable to show its true emotions and expressions. While this is easy if you are the dog owner, photographing other people's dogs takes more time and effort.
You can also use other techniques and tricks to get the dogs to look towards you and the camera. For example, when shooting dog photography, we always pack dog treats and toys to help capture their attention.
Location Scouting for Dog Photography
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Lastly, you want to choose a suitable location for your photo shoot. The two biggest factors to look for when location scouting for dog photography are a private place where the dog won’t be easily distracted and a place where the dog can be off-leash. Good examples include private yards, spacious parks, and quiet nature areas.
Alternatively, you can take your dog to a professional photo studio or set up a home studio. These photos will be more staged and less authentic, but depending on your or the dog owner's needs, they can be the best option.
Final Thoughts on Dog Photography
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Now that you know how to take better dog photos, what are you waiting for? Grab your photography gear and your pup, and start practicing! Finally, if you want to enhance your results further, here are some more dog photography tips.
Recommended Photography Gear
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