Quick Tips for Taking Pet Photos

Find someone to help you and keep plenty of treats handy.  Have your helper get your dogs attention with treats while you try to take pictures.  Also, I like to keep a squeaky ball or toy in my pocket to get their ears up if needed. While some dogs may find that distracting, it may be exactly what other dogs need to get that alert, happy look.

Good quality photos are essential for me to work from.  The photo I use to paint from should be a photo you just love- one that perfectly captures your dog’s personality and spirit. Thanks to digital cameras, with the freedom from processing costs, you can take dozens and dozens of pictures and simply delete the failures and keep the successes.  Keep snapping away until you get just the right ones that give you a photo that you can imagine as a painting up on your wall. I can take up to 300 photos to get one perfect one.

Dig out your manual and then find the setting in your cameras main menu and set it to the highest image resolution (dpi) you can. A clear photo with a high resolution allows me to look at the smallest details of your pooch so that I can give you the best portrait possible. Take a look at this picture of Keno. (above) A point and shoot camera gave me detail right down to the pattern on his collar and eye lashes.

It is best to shoot early in the day and late in the day when shadows are long. This can give dramatic lighting and it works well to catch detail. Look at our picture of Lucy that was taken late in the afternoon.  If you are stuck inside, try to take your pictures right beside a large window or patio doors. Take a look this indoor picture of Pete in his favorite chair next to a patio door

Well rested, calm and maybe a tad bit hungry so those treats work better to get their attention and total cooperation. Keep your camera handy and take pictures when you catch your dog relaxed, happy and just being her-/himself.

Remember the eyes are the most important detail to get in your dogs photo.  I need to see your dog’s eyes and the flash will wipe out the detail.

Plan out a time to shoot…and plan to let your dog run, play, and get out some energy before you take your pictures. You will find that doing this will bring more relaxation to your pet for a situation that can be frustrating for many dogs. Letting them play will get them more relaxed and patient to get that perfect shot.