Pets are an essential part of many of our families. Our puppies bring us joy and happiness, and we often seek ways to capture their playful and adorable moments in photographs. That’s why we’re excited to help you celebrate National Dog Photography Day on July 26!
National Dog Photography Day is a recently established holiday that was introduced in 2018 by a pet photographer in England named Kerry Jordan from Fur and Fables. Originally meant to raise awareness, this special day gained rapid popularity and spread widely across the internet. What began as a fun and lighthearted occasion to admire adorable dog and puppy pictures quickly exploded in popularity, with the hashtag #nationaldogphotographyday becoming a viral sensation. Puppy owners from all corners of the world enthusiastically joined in, sharing pictures of their beloved furry companions, making the event a heartwarming and widely embraced celebration.
As pet parents, we all secretly wish to put up beautiful frame-worthy pictures of our furry friends in our homes and post cute pictures for likes, shares, and comments. In fact, some of us have more pictures of our puppies than we do of our kids – whoops!
Photographing wiggly puppies can be a bit tricky. Timing, patience, and a little bit of preparation are vital to capturing adorable pictures of your puppy.
Taking good photos of your dog can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. To capture the best moments and showcase your furry friend's personality, consider these tips and tricks to help you take excellent dog photographs that capture your puppy’s personality.
Seth Casteel's exceptional talent in capturing dogs underwater led to his best-selling photography books and calendars.
13 Dog Photography Tips For Taking Amazing Photos of Your Puppy
While everyone can pick up a phone and snap some pictures, taking awe-worthy photographs of your puppy requires a bit of thought. We’d like to share with you some factors to consider when learning how to photograph your puppy.
1. Choose the right equipment
You don’t need a professional camera to click the perfect picture. A smartphone will suffice. However, if you want to take it up a notch, a camera with a decent lens will help you capture clearer pictures. Make sure that you have a memory card with enough space. Since dogs are full of energy, every second counts!
2. Learn to use your equipment
Now that you’ve chosen which camera to use, spend some time learning about all the cool features your camera can do. You don’t want to miss out! Smartphones offer all sorts of angles, filters, and settings to take your puppy pictures to the next level. If you prefer in-person tutorials, you can see if there is a class or workshop nearby or get a friend to show you. If you are good with online learning, search for free tutorials (both in print and video) for your device model for catered instructions on navigating the features.
3. Play around with editing software
If you’d like to boost your picture, learn how to use a variety of editing tools starting with the cropping and light adjustment tools. There are both free and paid versions of programs and user-friendly apps with great features to make your puppy pictures pop.
4. Get the right lighting
Aim for natural light whenever possible, as it brings out the true colors of your dog's coat and eyes. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, opting for early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and more flattering during the “golden hours of optimal sun angles.
Always keep your dog's safety and comfort in mind. Try not to use flash, as it can startle or stress them (and wash out your photo). Instead, shoot in well-lit areas to maintain the image quality. Be patient and allow your dog to get comfortable with the camera's presence.
5. Background check
Choose the right background to complement your puppy's features and colors. Having a great background adds to the appeal of the picture. So, how do you choose the background? You can opt for various backgrounds, including a beach, a park, or even your backyard. In general, choose a neutral background so that the focus is on your puppy. A clean, uncluttered backdrop or a natural setting can make your puppy stand out in the photo. Avoid busy backgrounds that might distract from the main subject or make your puppy disappear. It's all about what sets the vibe for your pet.
6. Use special props
You may want to add a bit more structure to your photo shoot by using planned-out props. Props play a significant role in the picture’s mood. They can show your puppy’s personality or even add a fun twist to the picture. A ribbon or a hat, a toy, or a piece of furniture familiar to your pup can add a personal touch to the picture. In contrast, introduce something your puppy has never seen before like a broccoli floret or a lime, and watch them interact with it for some hilarious moments. However, be careful not to clutter the picture, and make sure the props are safe for puppies.
7. Enlist attention-grabbing techniques
Getting your puppy to look at you can be quite the feat sometimes! Let's face it, sometimes puppies don't like to be still unless they’re eating or sleeping! Use treats and toys to grab your dog's attention. Choose either their favorite toy or a brand new one, preferably ones that make noises. You can also introduce some high-value treats. Making funny squeaking or clicking noises can get your puppy’s attention as well.
All of these attention-grabbing methods help your puppy maintain its focus on the camera and create an alert and engaging expression. You can also enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist in getting your dog's attention while you concentrate on taking the shot.
8. Select the right time
Your puppy should have a daily puppy routine and schedule involving when they sleep, potty, play, potty, eat, train, and you guessed it – potty! Make sure you are not trying to schedule your dog’s photo shoot in the middle of dinner time or when their basic needs haven’t been met yet. You want your puppy well-rested, fed, and ready to play.
9. Capture their best side
Experiment with different angles and compositions to add variety to your dog's photo album. Before taking the picture, take a moment to observe your puppy's face. Their head and eyes are always a great focal point. Angle the camera so their face isn't distorted. Shooting at your pet's eye level helps emphasize their personality and creates a more intimate image. Experiment with close and wide angles or unexpected ones like from below their heads.
10. Lights, camera…action!
Action shots can add excitement to your dog's photos. Capture them running, jumping, pouncing, playing, and romping around to show their lively personality. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion and avoid blurry images. You can also put the camera in “sport” or “burst” mode to take multiple shots in a row that will capture a variety of angles and actions for you.
11. Winging it on the fly
Be ready to take spontaneous shots. Some of the best dog photos are candid ones that capture unexpected, heartwarming moments. Always have your camera or phone ready to seize these delightful instances during play sessions or especially moments around other dogs or kids for cute and funny photos.
12. Display your pictures
If you've got a great set of pictures, then what are your plans? Frames, canvas, photo books, social media posts – the possibilities are endless. You can also share them on social media and showcase your puppy's adorability. And who doesn’t love a steady stream of cute puppy pictures? You might even go viral!
13. Have patience
If you’ve ever tried to get a puppy to do something, you know right away the chances of it working the first time are slim to none! The best dog photography tips are all well and good but only if your puppy is in the right frame of mind and if you exhibit patience. Waiting for the right moment to capture their natural expressions and behaviors will be worth it in the end.
Photograph a Pawrade Puppy
Puppies are precious, and capturing memories of them is something that's close to our hearts. Following these tips and tricks should result in some beautiful and cherishable memories while also successfully capturing your loyal companion’s personality.
But before you put these tricks to use – you need a puppy! If you’re tired of looking for a puppy for sale yourself and wondering if you’re going to get scammed or accidentally get a puppy from a puppy mill, we have you covered so you don’t have to worry. Recognizing the challenges involved in locating a trustworthy breeder, we've harnessed our extensive experience and expertise to assist you in your search.
Our Puppy Concierge Team can’t wait to help you find puppies for sale that are the perfect picture of health! We can’t wait to see pictures of your Pawrade puppies. Be sure to tag us on your Pawrade puppy pictures and videos on social media! We love seeing our furbabies bring joy to others!
