Today, it seems that just about everyone’s dog has an online presence (and we are not complaining!). But with so many pooches around, you need to find fresh and creative ways to photograph your four-legged friend to make him stand out from the rest of the pack. Here are nine dog photography tips to help Fido find his light and get the best pictures of your dog.
1. Show off their personality.
This is a big one! Every dog is unique, with their own eccentricities and quirks. Think about what you love most about your little nugget or big buddy, and share that with the rest of the world. Does he whip his ears back and forth? Does she give sassy side-eye or a sultry smirk? Maybe they love curling up like a croissant or stretching out like a hot dog. Whatever it is, try and capture those moments that melt your heart and remind you why they’re your best friend.
The more epic the scenery, the more epic the photograph. So get out of your house and get creative with your setting! Whether you are headed to the beach, a hike, exploring the city or your daily walk around the block, both big and little adventures are always an opportunity for a photo shoot with your pooch.
3. Use a shallow depth of field.
A shallow depth of field brings the focus right where it should be: your dog. This is an easy way to make any location look cinematic and professional, even if it’s just the corner of your bedroom. When you’ve mastered this look, flip it around! Focus on an object in the foreground, and capture your dog serving up cute blurriness in the back.
4. Dog is in the details.
Get up close and personal. An oversized puppy paw, a wet nose, a smizing eye — show us your dog in as many pixels as possible.
5. Think about composition.
With dog photography, you can experiment with white space and minimalist backgrounds to really make your pooch pop. Or get creative with your angles and show us the world from their point of view! Think about how your framing can highlight a specific narrative. For example, if you want to bring attention to how small your pup is, use a wide shot with lots of space, or photograph them near a large object.
6. Patience is a virtue.
Fifth-century Latin poet Prudentius was probably talking about photographing his dog when he came up with this phrase, and boy was he right. Sometimes, getting the money shot takes time (especially with dog photography!). But time with your dog is the best time there is, so take all the time in the world.
7. Art direction makes all the difference.
Strive to turn your pictures into works of art. Create a set, use props, and take time to get the lighting just right. If your girl is a queen, place her on a throne and give her a crown. If it’s your buddy’s birthday, why not throw on a birthday hat? (Pro tip: use treats to lure your dog in to participate in your photo shoot). Remember, you can always manipulate the picture in post with the PicsArt photo editor.
8. A #tbt never hurt nobody.
Let’s be honest with each other: few things in life are better than puppies (and by a few things, I mean literally nothing). Big paws and big personalities, nothing but wrinkles, and eyes that could melt the arctic circle… This Thursday, throw it back to when your little guy was an even littler guy.
9. Bring in the fam.
When in doubt, rally the troops. Dogs thrive most when they are surrounded by the people they love. Snap a selfie with your best friend, or get the gang together to create a family portrait that you would be proud to hang above your mantel.
Most importantly, remember to give your dog lots of treats, paw-sitive reinforcement, and endless snuggles to thank them for bringing infinite joy and unconditional love into your life.
There you go — nine dog photography tips to make your pet photos pop! At PicsArt, we believe there’s no such thing as too many pictures of your dog, so upload your shots to the PicsArt photo editor and show us your pup’s personality with the hashtag #PoochPic.
All photos by Danny Rothschild (@dannyrothschild).
