POSING YOUR PUP | SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

Summer is almost here! We are so excited for warm weather, fun portrait sessions, and time to do what we love. We don’t have a favorite season here at JJSHOTME, but there’s something extra special about our long summer days in the Pacific Northwest. We spend extra time outside and commonly photograph pets for clients and even often shoot portraits of our own dog, Zoe. We wanted to share some fun tips and tricks on how to pose your dog for portraits! These ideas can apply to photographs of people with their pets or if you’re learning how to shoot, for images of just your dog alone.

Avoid Distraction and Have Someone Help.
It’s always best to go where your dog won’t have distraction such as other people or other dogs or wildlife, such as squirrels and bunnies. All dogs get excited and might even misbehave, whether you are home or not home. Try to pick a park or private area that your dog can focus on you and the camera. It works well to have another pair of hands that can wrangle the dog while you are shooting. Also, if you are in a new location away from home, it is a good idea to let the dog sniff out the area and settle in to the place. Take the time your dog needs to calm down and get comfortable.

2. Use High Pitch Sounds.

Instead of just calling your dog’s name, try using a funny or high pitch sound or whistle to get their attention. If it’s a noise they’re not used to hearing, it will help them look at you when you signal and even perk their cute little (or big) ears!

3. Don’t Forget the Treats!

Hellooooo, treats! Use them! Professional dog shows use them to reward dogs. So should we! Use the words they know to sit, stay, come and let them run to you once you’ve got the shot. If they are rewarded with a treat, they WILL want to do as you say.

4. Get Down on Their Level!

The best photos of your pup are going to be when you are at their eye level. Portraits are always about the eyes of the person or pet you are photographing. The level that you are photographing from will bring out their personality, give a more intimate perspective and be more personal.

5. Embrace the Silly.

Dogs will be dogs! Let them PLAY and have fun with it! Sometimes the candid and somewhat out of focus photos end up being the best memories. Embrace the silly moments if your dogs doesn’t cooperate as you’d hoped. The out of focus shots might make good black/white photos, so try using a black and white filter and add a little contrast. Play with the dog and you will get shots you can’t plan or recreate that will make great memories and be good keepsakes.

6. Be Patient.

The “perfect” photograph doesn’t come in 10 minutes. Portrait or subject photography takes time and patience. Be prepared to shoot a LOT of photos and keep working it. Even a dog that sits still well IS going to move it’s body and head. You will want to set your camera up for capturing shots fast. Use a high shutter speed, narrow aperture and as high as necessary ISO to stop the motion. (For an explanation of manual settings, see our blog called “ Let’s Talk: Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO”.)

Then, the most important thing is to HAVE FUN!