If you’re anything like us, your phone is basically just storage for photos of your dog. This is completely understandable and perfectly normal dog-parent behaviour.
But, are you getting the best results?
While pet photography has seemingly become a side-job for every dog owner, we think we speak for everyone when we say we are always looking for ways to make our fur-kids look ultra-glamorous.
Take a look at the tips below to take your photos from average to outstanding.
Tip #1 Use treats and toys
Make sure you have plenty of treats on hand – nine times out of ten, this is the key to success. Use them to get your dog to:
# Stay in one position
# Look at the camera
# Look off to the side of the camera
# Tilt their head
Don’t reward them with the treat until you have the perfect shot.
The act of giving the dog a treat can also reap rewards–the act of them catching the treat in their mouth, or chewing, can be great additions to any image collection.
Tip #2 Find the light
Natural light is the easiest to work with, and often creates the best photos. When heading outside, look for a spot of full shade to prevent awkward shadows.
Not heading outside? Find a large window that’s not directly facing the sun. Window light creates softer light and can bring out the sparkle in their eye much better than artificial overhead lights can.
Tip #3 Use a fast shutter speed, continuous focus, and burst mode
Since most dogs have a hard time sitting still, use a fast shutter speed. Set your camera to shutter priority mode or manual mode and use a shutter speed of at least 1/250 if possible, and even faster for action shots of a game of fetch.
Turning the burst mode on will take a sequence of fast shots - increasing the odds of getting a perfectly-timed shot.
Tip #4 Shoot from their eye level
Getting down on your dog’s eye level will create more personal portraits, as it brings out a more intimate perspective.
To really make those puppy eyes pop, make sure the camera is focused on the eyes.
Tip #5 Create Bokeh Effect
The bokeh effect separates your subject by blurring the background elements. This is especially useful if you are photographing your dog in a distracting background. Here’s how to get a bokeh effect:
# Use a large aperture (like f/2.8 or f/1,4)
# Position your dog far away from the background.
# Use a Telephoto lens to enlarge/blur the background elements
# Move closer to your dog when shooting.
Tip #6 Always stay safe
Is your shoot location safe for dogs? Make sure there are no busy roads or distractions that may cause them to run away. Always keep them on a lead unless you are in a contained environment.
Enjoy making memories! Taking great shots isn’t only for Instagram. It will allow you to perfectly capture a memory of your beloved pooch to look back on for years to come.
