Dog Photography Tips and Tricks! Making a photo session fun you and the dogs!

Capturing the joy of dogs in photographs is more than just an art form; it’s an adventure filled with happiness, spontaneity, and love. If you're a photographer looking to enhance your skills, this guide is packed with practical tips to make your dogs photo session a blast.

Let’s jump into the world of dog photography and explore how you can turn an ordinary photo session into a fun experience for you, your clients and most importantly, the dog!

Choose the Right Time and Location

Choosing the right time of day is essential for great dog photography .Sunrise or 2 hours before sunset are ideal. During these times, the soft, golden light can bring your images to life. For example, shooting in the golden hour can add warmth to your photos and enhance the dog's features.

For your location, select areas where the dog will be safe and feel at ease. Quiet local parks, beaches, or even your backyard are great choices!

This Image of Daisy was taken when I first started learning how to photograph dogs. I used my Nikon Z6II and Nikkor F 85mm 1.4 lens. This image was taken in my backyard the evening.

Keep the Gear Simple

You don't need expensive gear to start capturing dog photos. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with an appropriate lens can do wonders.

When choosing a lens for your camera, look for one with a wide aperture. This will blur the background and make your dog stand out beautifully.

Get low!

That's really all to be said. Get down, low, in the dirt, or get in that water as low as possible! This will help create stunning photos of dogs and also capture more of their personalities.

Use Treats and Toys

Every dog has their own unique traits and favorite items. Bring treats or toys to grab their attention during your session. For example, if the dog loves a particular squeaky toy, use it to coax them into playful poses. Action shots are especially engaging; a frisbee toss can lead to spectacular photos that captures joy, exciting energy, and expressive faces in the dog. Daisy approves of this statement haha!

Allow the dog to play freely and capture their expressions during these moments. This spontaneity provides more moments to capture their personality.

Pay Attention to Lighting

Natural light is essential in dog photography. Experiment with natural light sources by looking for shaded areas or capturing images during golden hour. This lighting is preferred as it reduces harsh shadows and gives your images a soft, inviting quality.

Additionally, backlighting can create stunning effects (especially in the water!). Capture your dog with the sun behind them for a glowing halo effect, but ensure you adjust your settings to avoid overly dark images. Lower that ISO!!!

Create a Comfortable Environment

A relaxed dog is a happy one, leading to better photos. Allow the dog to acclimate to a new environment before you start shooting. If you’re at a park, let them sniff around and explore while you take candid shots. This will not only make them feel at ease but also result in more natural behavior that you can photograph.

For example, if you are at the beach, let your dog run in the sand and splash in the water. These moments of joy can yield some beautiful, natural photos.

Use the Right Settings

If you’re using a camera, get familiar with the best settings for dog photography. A high shutter speed is crucial for freezing fast movements, especially if you’re photographing an active dog. For instance, a shutter speed of 1/1250th of a second can capture sharp images of the dogs jumping or sprinting. Your lens plays a big part in capturing dogs in motion as well. Look for lens that has a fast auto focusing system I only use Nikon brand lenses and the following work very well with dogs in motion: Nikkor Z (or F mount) 70-200mm f2.8 lens, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 lens, and the Nikkor 200mm f2.0 lens. While I am sure other lenses work as well, these are the few I have seen or used personally that capture and create stunning motion photographs of dogs.

Capture the Details

Don't overlook the small features that make a dog unique. Focus on details like their paws, ears, or expressive eyes for close-up shots. These images can tell stories about a dog's character and create beautiful memories.

Edit with Care

After your session, take the time to review and edit your photos. Choose the best ones and adjust colors, contrast, and brightness to highlight the dog. While its OK to get spicy or creative when editing, editing should not overpower the dog. AI can also be your friend when removing distracting elements in photos, but remember that this can not be used when competing in photography competitions! I only use AI to help remove unwanted objects or distractions when editing client albums because I want their dogs photographs to look perfect and that's it. No unicorns, butterflies, or fake AI add-ons!

I also like to select only images that are in perfect focus. If the image is not 100% in focus then it gets removed!

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re motivated by your love for dogs or your passion for photography, these tips and tricks can help your skills while providing an enjoyable experience for both you and the dog.

With the right timing, comfortable settings, and your eye of creativity, you'll be well on your way to capturing stunning dog photos that bring joy for years to come. So grab your camera, choose your favorite spot, and start snapping!