Whenever we see spectacular photos of dog owners and dogs having a wonderful time, or simply having a relaxing snooze beside each other, we can’t help but sigh and wonder how these perfect moments are made.
Of course, not everyone has expert photography skills. If that were to be the case, then I guess there is no job left for our photographers to do.
Regardless of whether we hire the services of a dog photographer, or we simply want to take mementos of our furry friends, there are ultimately tips that one can try to get the perfect candid shot.
Let us take a look at these tips, and let’s see for ourselves what we can apply in our own situations.
Get acquainted with your dog’s personality.
Since you are the owner, you know what tricks are the best to use to catch and ultimately hold their attention during a photography session. Expert pet photographers know this by heart, and they will use whatever object is available that will surely give them the best shots.
Having said this, work with your dog’s personality, not against them.
Expose your dogs to the camera’s presence.
Not all dogs are camera hoarders. While some of them like the idea of being under the scrutiny of the camera’s lens, some probably would hide from it. Some might display aggressive behavior towards it.
To avoid such things from happening, it is best to expose them to the camera. This will give them ample time to get to used to the sound made by the shutter.
Positive reinforcement will surely do the trick for this. Give them treats whenever they have a successful meet-and-greet session with the camera for a more positive association.
Work with your dog in their comfort zones.
Working with your dogs in their comfort zones will allow you or the photographer to get the finest candid shots that you so want to have. Remember the tip about getting to know your dog’s personality? This is where we apply our knowledge on this.
Placing them in areas that they are familiar with during the photography session will not only put them at ease, but it will also pave the way for your dog’s personality to shine. Learn to work with their routines and activities, and taking photos of them will just be a breeze.
Learn to work within a short time frame.
Dogs have short attention spans, just like how babies become distracted with highly attractive objects. Do not schedule long photography sessions, as this will tire them out. This will inadvertently affect the quality of your photos.
Schedule some breaks in between sessions to avoid tiring them out. Also, do not wait for the perfect pose to come along. Simply keep on clicking; the most precious photos are usually the most unexpected moments.
Get down to the level of your dog’s perspective.
Do not practice your superiority in this aspect, as you’re practically begging for your dog’s cooperation. He is the star of the moment, so try to get down to his level.
Close up shots or shots that taken below the dog’s eye level will surely enhance those precious quirky traits that make them the apple of our eyes. So try to take a few shots from this level to see how the photos look like.
Taking great photographs of our dogs is not an easy task. However, do not take this as a contest that you should win. Just focus on having a good time with your dog, and surely the rest will follow.