How to photograph your dog: tips and pro advice

If you are a fan blurred backgrounds, He will then be your best ally.

How to photograph your dog as a pro ?

We are not going to lie, we all love to take our dog in picture ! Because it is the most beautiful dog in the world and that we want to share certain moments with our friends or our family, but also to be able to remember when he was little, his first ball, etc. Only here, the result is not always terrible … So how to take pretty photos of your dog ? All advice in this article.

Photograph your dog: prepare yourself !

It is not at the time when your dog takes a simply adorable pose that you must take out your camera or your smartphone ! Indeed, your dog will not keep the pose for you to take the photo.

So you have to prepare for the take a photo : Whether with your phone, a reflex camera or a small compact device, it is useful to be familiar with the functions of the device to choose the right mode when the time comes and without wasting time. You have to know how to develop, use the zoom, portrait mode, landscape or even burst mode, very practical to take a whole series of photos and select those that you like more. If necessary, train before the Photo session with your dog .

A little advice for the development: she must be done, say the “pros”, on the eyes of the animal.

Find the place to take photos and capture the light

To take pictures of your dog , If possible choose a quiet place, where you and your dog will not be disturbed by passers -by, cars or other dogs ! A large meadow, a field, an isolated path in the countryside are perfect and will have a good effect on photos.

Be careful in the background, because even if it is your dog the subject of the photo , If you take a picture of it in town in front of a sad and unsightly building, parking or electric posts, the photo may not be very successful. You can also, simply take a picture of it in your garden.

Then you have to think about the exhibition, which is the key to a good photo. If you start in photography, take pictures outdoors is easier. Indoor photos are more difficult to make due to lighting and require a little more practice.

Outside, the result is often natural. Sunlight brings out your dog’s fur and makes the colors more bright. However, avoid taking photos when the sun is hit too hard: first of all because it is too hot for your dog, but also because the light is too strong and creates rather unsightly shadows.

The best time for Take beautiful photos of your dog , It’s early in the morning or in the evening. Light is less strong and there are often beautiful pink or red colors.

How to motivate your dog to take a picture ?

You have found a superb place and you want Take beautiful photos of your dog . Yes but he especially wants to discover the place a little ! And even if your dog knows the basic orders like “seated” or “not moving”, the look at the photos will betray his interest especially if a rabbit passes in front of him. So how to do ?

It’s very simple: first when arriving at the desired place, let your dog let off steam, run a little. Not until it is exhausted, of course, but at least that this need for movement is satisfied so that it can then respond to your request.

If your dog is sufficiently stimulated physically and mentally, it will be easier to work afterwards. Also remember to have a few treats Or his favorite toy. The award is always appreciated and it will be less reluctant to pose for a tenth photo …

If you have learned for example to your dog dog at make the beautiful, This order will allow you to take the pose easily !

As soon as you see that your dog tires, or starts to get impatient, stop it Photo shoot. Do not forget to congratulate him and reward him for this participation.

Take a picture of your dog: Tips

As a rule, you are bigger than your canine companion. Also, it is important to position yourself at the animal level . Sit or put yourself on your own to be up to his eyes. You can also ask your dog to climb a tree stump, a bench, etc.

Avoid using flash, natural light will give much better results !

And if you want your dog to be the most beautiful, you also have the right to brush it , to comb him just before the photo shoot. You can also put a scarf or a pretty necklace, without however exaggerating in the accessories. A dog is not a toy and you have to know how to respect your personality !

Together, let’s take care of your pet

How to photograph your dog: tips and pro advice

You want to photograph your dog but you don’t know how to take beautiful photos ? If you have a passion for pets and photography This article is made for you !

Because this is precisely the subject of this article, since I contacted Audrey Bellot, a photographer professional of dogs, which gives you many tips and tips through this article to honor your pet.

You will find the whole paraphernalia to get started and take dog photos successful.

We will go to the choice of the goal to the essential techniques to photograph our little animals ..

NB: All photos are the property of Audrey Bellot and are not free of rights.

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Photographing your dog: which photo material to buy ?

Photography of dogs and cats does not require enormous investment.

Indeed, unlike animal photography, we can give ourselves telephoto lens because the subjects are much closer to us.

However, they remain animals that are sometimes difficult to have and some are even real mules heads ! It is therefore necessary to have a reactive autofocus.

For portraits, keep in mind that the most important is not the case but the objective.

It is therefore essential to invest and focus more on the objective than on the case, because it is he who will make the success of your dog photos above all.

Let’s start with the essential 50mm f/1.8 : a price that does not think (especially in Canon), a opening and an excellent rendering for those who love The pretty bokeh.

For beginners who have a small budget, or those who appreciate the composition with other elements, this objective is made for you.

► Learn to take beautiful pastel photos from the shooting and get much more creative images, in subtle colors.

If you have a bigger budget, I can only advise you on 85mm f/1.8 : you can get away from your subject more without being at the other end of the garden.

If you are a fan blurred backgrounds, He will then be your best ally.

In addition, its autofocus is fast, silent and its dive excellent.

For those who want even more in terms of bokeh, image quality and who do not have a limited budget, I advise you 135mm f/2 For Canon and the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 For those with a Nikon device.

The precautions to take to photograph dogs

Not all dogs are young and lively, so Ask the owner Before session of any health or behavior of the animal problems.

Really take into account his age: the very old animals are sensitive to bad weather, but also to bass and high temperatures.

It is therefore preferable to cancel a session that could jeopardize health, see the life of the animal.

If the animal is very young, also avoid sessions in the cold and/or humidity.

be careful With the animals that you photograph, they have their own character: it can happen to come across animals that have been beaten in their past, so you have to have an adequate behavior and be careful.

If the dog can show Aggressive and/or fearful According to the owner, keep your distance !

Do not try to approach him, even by kindness, to caress him. Talk to him gently, don’t cry and don’t make sudden gestures in front of the animal.

With certain dog breeds, remember to take in your bag a towel or cloth For the drool, which is not really very aesthetic in the photos.

Dog photos: our top 15

There is an area of ​​the little -known or little taken portrait photo seriously: the portrait of pets. However, photographing animals is not a simple or ridiculous exercise. More than half of French people have a pet and 18 % of those who have not planned to adopt them in the future.

More specifically, the cat then the dog arrives at the top of the favorite animals in France. It is therefore completely logical that animal owners wish to draw the portrait from the one who shares their lives for ten to fifteen years. Any portrait photographer is unable to perform the animal photo. You need a pro, a real animal photographer specializing in the matter.

Some skills and qualities are necessary to obtain photos that reveal the whole personality of the animal. To inspire you, here is our Top 15 Best Dog photos.

1. Big plan

Easily find a professional

Here is a first dog photo rather humorous with this close -up that had to ask the photographer a lot of patience ! The effect is quite successful with a disproportionate truffle surmounted by two curious eyes. Capturing the attention of the animal is essential to succeed in the photo shoot.

2. Discovery

It’s the sweetness that predominates here with this puppy photo that seems to discover with surprise the world around it. The animal’s gaze should not necessarily set the goal, during the photo shoot. However, it is advisable to always keep a distance between the animal’s eyes and the side of the photo where he heads his gaze. Otherwise, the image will seem poorly framed.

3. Clown

The facies or expression of some dogs is enough to create the atmosphere of the photo ! This is the case for this dog photo which features a hug in the expression clownesque !

4. Smile

Here is a magnificent portrait made in the studio on which the animal seems to display its most beautiful smile ! An advice ? The best way to succeed in dog photo is to get up to the animal.

5. Black and white

Here, the Portrait photographer opted for black and white, which highlights the shade of the animal’s dress. The perfect symmetry of the color of the head, in mask, offers a perfect balance to the photo.

6. Action

Take a dog photo When the animal is in action seems easier since movement is one of its habits. However, this requires, on the part of the portrait photographer, a good mastery of the shutter speed of his device to avoid a blurred cliché.

7. On the beach

Gorgeous dog photo Made at golden time on the beach ! The image highlights the master-dog complicity and the fact that the animal was more courageous than its mistress to swim !

8. Crossing

For this photo shoot, the photographer showed creativity in order to grasp the dog in the middle of the race. The chosen environment is ideal for creating a very amazing perspective.

9. Shadow and light

This dog photo offers an incomparable aesthetic by playing with shadows and lights. The color balance is perfect, accentuating the lively look of the animal. A good exhibition is the secret of a successful animal photo, whether artificial or natural.

10. Truffle

Choose to make a dog photo By focusing on a detail of his morphology is a good way to highlight a quality or personality trait of his companion. The truffle can suggest the olfactory qualities of a hunting dog.

11. Heaven

The photographer takes us to a heavenly setting for this exceptional photo shoot. The golden hour offers totally unreal colors which give all its singularity to this animal portrait. The dog is photographed in its most beautiful version, free to run on a limitless space.

12. Astonishment

Puppies, like kittens, constitute subjects of choice for an animal photographer. Indeed, their patae and amazed look offer great naivety and a lot of sweetness in the image.

13. Savage

Is it a wolf, a bear or a dog ? This dog photo sow doubts with this imposing head, this dark coat and this appearance in the forest. Nice wild staging that has no doubt requested a lot of time and patience !

14. Dark

In front of a black background, the photographer has chosen, here, to highlight the piercing look of the animal. The dog seems to arise from the shadow thanks to a weak light that lets us see the essentials.

15. Grimace

The moving photo promotes a dynamic atmosphere but it also makes it possible to grasp looks and expressions that challenge their humor ! This is the case with this Border Collie. The look, the falling ear and the rolled lips give it a grimacing head !

Maxime Arcari

CEO & Co -founder @ Utopix Expert Marketing & Commercial Development +4000 Photographers supported every day with Utopix