![]() Take a burst of images to get “the shot”.Calmly wait until your subject does what you want. ![]() I like to think of patience in pet photography as a three-step process: ![]() Repeating movements and words calmly and gently creates a chilled atmosphere for your pet. Patience was the first thing I had to learn when I started photographing animals and it’s a crucial factor when taking portraits of your dog. Something so quick and simple can save hours of editing later and makes for a much nicer image. When photographing pets outside I often remove sticks and leaves from the area I want to shoot before I start taking photos. I do like to include some environment in my outdoor images, to show the dogs’ location or perspective. Studio photography against block colour backgrounds keeps it simple, but if photographing outside watch out for photo bombing chairs, people, rubbish bins, light posts, other dogs etc. If photographing outdoors, be sure to check your background for objects beside or behind your subject. Zoom in for a close-up nose shot, or a detailed eye image. Sit your subject on a bench to get them off the ground, which allows you to aim for creative angles. By crouching on your knees or lying on the ground, you suddenly see things from their perspective. Pets are closer to the ground than we are, so think about getting down to their level. There aren’t really any hard and fast composition rules with photography – sometimes the most interesting images are off-centre or a bit quirky. These are all things to consider and experiment with – you can also download a shot list template to edit and help plan your next shoot.Ĭanon 1DX MII and Tamron 70-200mm lens | 1/6400th sec at f/2.8 ISO 640īe creative and try to photograph from different perspectives, angles and vantage points. Do you want to do a close-up? Full body shot? Have lots of background in the picture? Perhaps you even want to include the whole family in your photo shoot. It is just a tool and the photographer is the storyteller. Think about what you want to shoot and why that angle or scene might be interesting.ĭon’t rely on your camera to do all the work. ![]() Photographs tell stories, and by planning the story you want to tell through your shots, you are more likely to capture everything you need. If a dog repeats a behaviour or pose several times in my studio, chances are it does the same thing at home too and this is something the owners will connect with in a photograph. It helps to list the poses and expressions you are keen to capture and keep shooting until you check them all off your list – being sure to catch other poses outside of your list if your subject gives them to you. With dogs I aim for a half face, a zen dog (eyes closed), a high five, one looking down, and a big smile, to name a few. Think about what you want from your subject.ĭuring a shoot, I run through several signature shots in my head and cross them off as I go. Taking the time to plan your shoot and the images you can see in your mind’s eye is useful. ( See this article for the best dog cameras and this one for some fun photoshoot ideas with dogs.)Ĭanon 1DX MII and Tamron 24-70mm lens | 1/200th sec at f/13 ISO 200 Here are my top pet photo tips to help you take fabulous dog portraits. When photographing outdoors I use the same principles as I do in the studio and let my canine subjects have free reign, waiting for the right moments and timing the shot to get what I want. In many ways these images have a similar feel to my studio images which are photographed on clean black or white backgrounds. With natural light dog photography, I use a shallower focus and try to photograph against block colour backgrounds. The sessions have a similar intensity to a dog training session and require the same sort of mental focus from a dog, and they’ll often have a nap when they get home. I like to capture more than I need to ensure I haven’t missed any of the poses I’m after. I work fast and capture the images I need quickly – by doing so, they don’t have time to get bored.ĭuring a photo session, I take between 100-300 images, of which I show 30 to my client at a later date. I sit very close to them, about 12 inches away. I photograph around 1,000 dogs a year, and when working in my studio I find that constant interaction maintains their attention for the duration of their session. They’re our best friends and our loyal companions, always pleased to see us and happy for each day they get to spend with us. I love photographing all animals, but dogs would have to be my favourite subjects.
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