The other day I posted a video about posing! Afterwards, my husband joked when I was going to do one on how to pose your dog. We both laughed and then I said, "actually, that is really fun! I'm doing it!" So here it is! A quick, fun post on photographing your dog! :)

• Take your dog for a good long walk! 

-Play and exercise your dog to burn off extra energy. A tired puppy will be calmer and willing to sit. 

• Eliminate Distractions

-Eliminate distractions so you are the only one making noises or trying to get the dogs attention. 

• Background 

-Have a "clean" background behind your subject. No telephone poles, etc coming out from behind the head.

-Avoid black background with a dark dog or a white background with a white dog. Look for contrasting colors i.e. a green bush, colorful wall, etc. 

• Bribery

-Treat can be used to hold above the camera to get the dog to look at the camera.

-A small squeaky toy held above the camera will help him look at the camera too.

• Lighting

-Good lighting for our puppy photos is just as important as with the humans. Move your dog near a window with nice diffused light. If outside, move to nice open shade. 

-Look for nicely lit eyes that are in sharp focus with little catchlights. Turn dogs face towards the light. 

• Emphasis

-Whichever body part of the dog is closest to the camera will be emphasized. So, if the paws are closest, they'll look bigger. If the tail is closest, the back end of the dog will be emphasized. 

• Fill the frame

-Move in and get close! Get down on their level.

-Fill the frame with the dog.

-Crop out anything that isn't important.

• Avoid the "floating head" look

-Avoid shooting straight on and from a higher angle that makes the dog look like a floating head. 

• Angle

-Position male dogs slightly turned while seated.

-If dog is curled up, try shooting from directly overhead.

Good luck and I can't wait to see your doggy photos!