Dog Photography Ideas to Capture Your Pet's Personality in Minneapolis

Jul 18

Dog photography is a fun and rewarding experience for you and your dog.

If you're considering a photography session for your dog, it's a fun and rewarding experience. It can be challenging to capture the unique personality of your dog and show them in the best possible light.

You want the session to be a memorable experience for both of you. There are some things to consider such as the desired outcome you're hoping for, the ideal location for the shoot, and more.

Your photographer will want to capture some captivating images and make it a rewarding experience for you and your furry companion. Luckily, there are many dog photography ideas to capture your pet's personality in Minneapolis.

Here are our top pet photography tips.

Relax and Enjoy

Your dog is watching your cues. If you're stressed out and anxious about the photography session, they will soak up those negative feelings. You don't want to stress out your pet.

One key to quality animal portraits is a relaxed pet who is happy and wants to be there. Whether the shoot is inside or outside, try to relax and enjoy the process.

An animal that's feeling stressed will have flattened ears and concerned eyes, which doesn't translate well in photos. Your dog or pet's mood is reflected in their eyes, face, and body language.

You want them to see the experience as a fun adventure. The best way to make that happen is to embrace the experience with your pet.

Some dogs are more active and alert in the mornings. Others are better later in the day. Consider what time is best for your pet.

The key is to put them at ease and draw out their true personality.

Plan the Shots

Whether you've hired professional Minneapolis dog photographers or plan to take the shots yourself, it's always a good idea to have a general plan about what you want from your subject.

The photographer might have some shots in mind such as a high five, half face, looking down, big smile, and zen dog (eyes closed), to name a few. You know your pet better than anyone. If there's a pose they do often you hope to capture, speak up to ensure you get that shot.

Your photographer wants to make you happy and give you lasting memories of your furry family member. It will help to work together to make a list of poses to get the most out of the photography session.

A photograph tells a story. Taking a little time to plan the story you want will help you capture the true essence of your pet in a thoughtful, interesting way.

Change Perspectives

A professional photographer understands the value of changing perspectives, vantage points, and angles. There aren't any hard and fast rules to follow. Some of the most unique pet portraits are the ones that are a little quirky or a bit off-centered.

Pets are smaller and closer to the ground than people, so you want to get on their level for good shots. Lying on the ground or crouching on your knees can help you see them better and capture the image from their perspective.

Another idea is to sit your pet on a chair or bench. This gets them off the ground so you can capture creative angles, snap an eye image, or zoom in for a close-up.

If you're choosing outdoor dog photography, take a look around the general area. Remove any clutter that could be distracting in photos. If you're having photos taken of your pet inside a photography studio, this isn't an issue.

Photographing outside is fun for dogs, but look out for photo bombers like trash cans, chairs, light posts, other animals, and people in the background. Some photographers do like to include some natural environment in their shots, so work with the photographer to achieve the look you're hoping for.

Removing objects, sticks, and leaves from a shot can save time editing and provide a cleaner image of your beloved pet.

The Right Light

The right lighting is a critical aspect of photography. A camera can't capture a great shot without good light. With outdoor photography, you can't control the lighting, so timing is everything.

Find the right time of day for your dog or pet depending on their temperament and the shots you hope to get. Animal fur can look reflective in full sun, so more subdued lighting is often best.

A shaded area works well for photos and can help keep your pet cool and energized. Overcast days make for great photo shoots with minimum glare. This can help the photographer capture the small details that make your pet unique.

Planning the time of day to shoot along with where to shoot in the best light will ensure you make the most out of the photo session. Many photographers love to shoot pet photos just after sunset. The sky's glow on an animal's fur is beautiful and can create striking dog photos.

Relate to the Subject

Although you know your pet well, the photographer may not. Give the photographer some time to get to know them. You will probably see the photographer interacting with your pet in a calm, even way.

Pet photographers typically speak softly and try to put their subjects at ease before a photography session. Moving in a slow, deliberate manner shows the animal you aren't a threat.

They will quickly relax when they understand the photographer is a friend, not a foe. When an animal makes a friend, they want to please them. This is especially true for dogs who will listen more attentively and respond to commands from someone they like.

It's better to leave the commands to the photographer. When more than one person is barking commands, it can be overwhelming and frustrating for any pet. Sometimes dogs won't cooperate, but it's still possible to get good shots.

The photographer will work with what the dog will do to find the best images that represent the animal's personality and character.

Capture the Eyes

The old saying that the eyes are the window to the soul is true about people and animals. All animals express their feelings and emotions through their eyes.

That's why focusing on the eyes is so essential for quality photos. Whether their eyes are sparkly, looking up, glancing sideways, blinking, or drooping, these movements reflect the animal's feelings at a moment in time.

The most engaging photos capture true emotion in the eyes. They personalize and show the vulnerability of the subject. Animals love to gaze into people's eyes.

Focusing on the eyes during a photography session can provide meaningful shots that truly capture the personality of your pet.

Offer Rewards

You probably already know the value of treats and toys for getting your dog or pet to do what you want. They are real motivators for some pets and a great way to get their attention.

Pets often become hyper-alert when treats are a possibility. Waving one under a dog's nose and pulling it upwards will result in the dog raising their head. This can be a priceless moment to capture a great shot.

When the animal complies, be sure to reward them with the treat. Then, they will be more likely to do it again.

If your pet likes toys, stuffed animals, or tennis balls, this may get them excited and offer you the opportunity for a beautiful shot. Get them interested in the toy and shoot in burst mode to capture their excitement.

The look on a dog's face while they wait for you to throw a tennis ball or a squeaky toy is pet love at its finest. Offer them regular rewards to keep their attention and provide motivation to continue the shoot.

One of the best tricks of a pet photographer is making the animal think they are in charge and making the decisions. Instead, the photographer is motivating the animal to do what they want them to do.

One of the best motivational tools for a pet is to pay them with a treat, toy, or some affection. They will reward you in return with beautiful shots and an enjoyable session.

Anticipate the Shot

A pet photographer knows that a perfect shot often happens in a fraction of a second. Waiting for that perfect moment requires timing and anticipation.

One way to get quality pet photos is to preempt movements and be ready to shoot when the moment occurs. If you're a budding photographer, this is a skill that gets better with practice.

The beauty of digital cameras is that you can take multiple shots to get the image you want. Think about what you want your pet to do and cue them. Anticipate the shot and be ready to capture it instantly with multiple bursts.

One of those shots will be the one you anticipated and will treasure always.

Be Patient

Not every photographer has what it takes to work with animals. Photographing animals takes patience. It's a crucial skill for winning an animal's trust and capturing their true personality.

You want to provide a calm atmosphere for a pet photo session. Consider this three-step process:

Wait calmly until the animal does what you want
Take bursts of images to capture the best shot
If that doesn't work, try again

Taking your time and remaining calm with animals are crucial for a successful photography session. Animals are more likely to cooperate and show expression when you don't bark orders or rush them into poses.

Let them get used to their surroundings and be themselves. Show them you care and have some fun with them. Spend time winning them over before you start taking pictures.

Notice the little things they do like turning their head a certain way or performing tricks on command. These are amazing opportunities to get a fabulous shot.

Be Quiet

Most dogs and pets hate loud noises. It makes them feel threatened, and they will not relax or comply with what you need if they are scared. Shouting at them or barking commands will ruin a photo shoot.

When an animal feels threatened, they will disengage, become confused, or try to run away. Try communicating with them quietly. One way to accomplish this is through hand signals.

Hand signals can be quite effective for dogs. When you need to make a command like "sit" or "stand", say it gently and calmly. Avoid repeating the animal's name over and over. The more they hear it, the more tuned out they may become.

Hovering over an animal and barking orders is not an effective way to put them at ease or bring out the best in them. The less "barking" and commanding you do during a photo session, the more likely it is that your dog will listen, comply, and enjoy the experience.

Move Slowly

If you're trying to capture meaningful shots of your pet, move around them slowly while you take pictures. If you're running back and forth trying to snap the perfect shot, you will confuse and agitate your pet.

Cats are especially wary of quick movements and will try to flee as fast as they can if they're spooked. A dog won't stay in a sit or lay position if the photographer is making them nervous with constant movements.

When you shift positions quickly, a dog will feel like they need to follow, which may be the opposite of what you intended. If you need to move, move slowly. Bend, reach, or lean calmly to capture the ultimate pet photos you're hoping for.