Note: This is a guest post by David Sutton of Sutton Studios. David is a photographer from the Chicago area. His company photographs dogs, cats, horses and other animals, as well as kids and families. Portraits include anything from pets to families to commercial work.
If you want to catch your dog’s spirit in photos, it’s important to understand how the pros work!
These tips will help you capture your pup’s personality so you can get great looking photos.
1. Prep work
If you want to see your dog’s true colors, it’s important to make him or her feel and look their best ahead of time. Bathe and/or groom your pup a day or two before the photo shoot. If you don’t typically groom your dog, skip this step – you want the dog to look natural.
Take your dog on a walk the morning of the shoot. Nothing too strenuous as you want some high-energy shots, but just a quick walk to start the day off right and insure that your dog is in the best mood possible so his or her personality will shine!
2. Black and white
Subtracting color can add so much to a photo. I like black and white because it offers an interpretation of the scene rather than a reproduction. Black and white images also look more timeless – like they’re from another era – so your photos will stand the test of time!
Allow for enough time and take a lot of pictures. Don’t give up after one or two shots. Professionals know to wait and “work the scene.” Sometimes you get your best shots right away but more often they come as the result of making each new shot an improvement on the one you just did. Take dozens of photos, then EDIT!
If you’re using a digital camera, extra frames don’t cost anything but your time. Don’t be afraid to hit DELETE and keep only the strongest images- that’s what the pros do.
3. Set the scene to play
Dogs love to play! It allows them to be free and express themselves. Bring his or her favorite toys and watch their personality come to life. Be sure you have the shot framed and ready so you can snap away once you’ve got the dog’s attention. Treats are also great for keeping your dog focused.
4. Find your light
Avoid using your on-camera flash, if you can. Your pet’s eyes will reflect the light and come out looking like big green saucers – not looking like the dog you know and love! It’s best to find natural light near a window or outside.
You’ll find the best outdoor lighting early in the day or in late afternoon. If you’re shooting indoors, try using a high ISO film or digital camera setting.
5. Get down!
Go down to your dog’s level on the floor – inhabit his or her world! Photos at this angle give your pet the importance he or she deserves.
Also remember to get in close to capture some terrific personality shots. Alternately, you can try raising your dog up by putting him or her on a table or stool. Being eye-to-eye with your subject creates more compelling photos.
David Sutton is a pet and family portrait photographer of Chicago-based Sutton Studios. Visit suttonstudios.com for more information and to purchase a 2010 Dog Days Calendar – proceeds go directly to help animal welfare agencies!
(Photos taken by Sutton Studios)
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Nice tips! My guy is really camera shy for some reason. He will turn his head away every time. I’ve got to sneak up on him to get a shot or he has to be asleep!
Yeah I know a lot of dogs like that. Works to bribe with food or a toy or to make weird sounds to get them to look.
I think they expect a flash, so they look away.
Sheba was brought up with a camera, so she’s pretty used to it. She often gives it her intent stare, and then if Anette or I make funny noises, she tilts her head and we get all those little wrinkles on her forehead, which are so cute!
Walter is pretty camera friendly too, I ought to try my hand at more portrait style b&w pics of him & Jake instead of the ‘oh my god Jake & Walter looks so funny, quick take a picture’ approach.
Sheba looks so great in your photos! I can tell she’s used to having her picture taken.
I’d love to see the photos you get of Walter and Jake! It’s hard for me to get photos of Ace because he is so dark. Outdoor photos are best for him with lots of bright light and no flash.
These are really good tips! Our old dog totally knew how to pose for photos – you brought the camera out and he’d get all Zoolander, looking right at the camera and giving us all his looks. Biggie, on the other hand, sees the camera and wants to come over and check it out – “whatcha doin? what’s that? can I smell?” The worst is that he will be doing something hilarious or cute for several minutes, and as soon as I pick up the camera, he stops because anything I’m doing must be more interesting.
Oh, and for a big dog, getting on the dog’s level – or below – is a great idea.
Ha! I’ve had dogs do that too – run up to me and get too close every time they see the camera.
My cats are good at making a point to stop being cute as soon as they see the camera. They’re like, “OK we’re done. Outa here!”
Good suggestions. I LOVE taking photos of the dogs. It’s one of my favorite things! I really like playing around with the black and white and sepia tone pictures.
And you take awesome photos!!
Great tips.. one thing that lets me down is not checking to background first for clutter as Im focussed on the dog..
loved this post
Yep. I have that same problem. I’ll get a great shot of the dog and there will be a cat licking himself in the background or a candy bar wrapper or something!