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Dog Photography Tips by Russ Burden

The more active the subject, the harder the task, but just because a canine friend has a mellow temperament, it doesnot guarantee a great shoot. As a matter of fact, I love worked with some dogs that have been so mellow, all they want to do is sprawl on the ground making it tough to capture expression and personality. For me, a successful dog photo captures a special look, a frozen moment in time when he or she does something unique, or conveys interaction when photographing multiple subjects. Being able to anticipate when these events will happen comes with practice and learning about your subject. By following the tips found below, you will get to that point more quickly. Become a Friend: It is important the dog feels comfortable so I need to convey trust. This means getting down on the ground, petting it is belly, sharing a treat, and doing whatever it takes to let it know I am a friend. Before the shoot, I confer with the owner and find out what I can and cannot do with regards to what the dog likes or not. I am ll ask if it is OK to give treats and make sure the owner brings some. I find out key words that make the ears go up. I will ask about special toys that the dog holds dear and make sure they are brought. Even armed with all this information, you must realize that the tricks work for only a few times and the dog gets wise to you very quickly so use them when you feel they can be optimized. Friendly Environment: Whether you shoot in your studio, outdoors in your backyard, or at a local park, make sure that each environment is dog friendly. The studio is the most difficult as you will have light stands and strobes set up, so make sure they are secured with gaffers tape or other devices so they don not fall if bumped. Have some toys that make strange noises to get the dog is attention. Don not have it so cramped that the dog won not be able to sniff out its strange and new environment. In that he or she will be able to sniff the previously shot subject, set aside a time period for the curiosity to dissipate. Plan the length of your session to allow the dog to get comfortable so that natural looks can be captured. If you are using strobes, pop them off periodically while the dog is getting used to your studio so the flash won not be a total surprise upon taking the first image. Donnot Hold Back: Here is where a lot comes into play. Donnot be afraid to make a fool of yourself making noises and getting low so you will be at eye level with your subject. As a matter of fact, it is often appreciated by the owner to see you getting involved. Vary your focal lengths but remember to fill the frame. I use an 80-200mm zoom as it gives me a great diversity of focal lengths and works for small to large subjects. Don not overlook a full frame face where you zoom in for a tight head shot. If I am shooting outdoors, I may opt for a wider shot if the environment in which I am shooting complements the dog. And most importantly, if the light level is low and you are shooting outdoors, focus on the eyes to make sure they are sharp. If necessary, bump up the ISO to gain a faster shutter speed or aperture to net more depth of field.