5 tips for photographing your pup

Do you have a new puppy at home? Congratulations! Of course you want to take as many pictures as possible, because they grow so fast! That’s why today I wrote a blog with 5 tips for photographing your pup.

Dog Photographer

In addition to my work as a dog trainer/behaviourist, I am also a professional dog photographer, through Dog Portrait Hondenfotografie. In my work I have the pleasure of getting quite a few puppies in front of my lens, but as a new puppy owner you also want to take beautiful pictures yourself!

5 tips for photographing your pup

1. Have a camera within reach. It seems like a no brainer, but the best moments always happen when you just have your camera in another room or at home when your outside, it seems. Make sure you always have a camera, even if it’s just the one on your phone, close at hand.
2. Eye level. For photos, make sure you’re at eye level with the puppy, that way you see the world in the photo from the dog’s point of view, and the puppy is at its best.
3. Have patience. If you’d like a posed photo of your pup, practice a solid stay beforehand. Always reward your pup extensively if he has stayed nicely while taking the photo! Also adjust the timing of taking a photo in which the puppy is lying quietly to the rhythm of your puppy, if he has just slept he will first want to pee and maybe want to play, before he wants to lie down again.
4. Pay attention to the environment. Try using a calm background, and shoot with a wide-open aperture (if your camera allows that). That way your pup really ‘pops out’ in the photo. If a calm background cannot be found, you can create one yourself by having the puppy lie on a blanket or something similar.
5. Use a toy or stuffed animal in the photo. Or use another attribute or accessory. Does your pup have a favorite stuffed animal? Use it!

I hope you find these tips helpful!