Dog Gone Cute!

Ok, let’s get this puppy started :)

Almost everyone has a fluffy little loved one in their life. Whether we capture them playing and looking cute, or tearing up your favorite pair of shoes, it always feels necessary to get out the camera and save the moment permanently. For your picture to come out clear and to its full potential, it is necessary to follow the guidelines for taking the perfect puppy pic!

For starters: lighting. Taking photos of your pets outside gives the picture ambient light and depth of field. This feature, when used correctly, gives your picture the vivid, vibrant, and Pinterest-like feel that we want from our little fuzz balls. The best times to plan your photoshoots are during the "Dog Days" of summer, semi-cloudy fall days, and even snowy winter afternoons. Be aware of conditions that might degrade a photo, such as low light, distracting backgrounds, or slow shutter speeds that could cause blurry photos.

Dogs don't understand everything you say, and no, not even when you use your sweetest baby voice. To get your fur-balls to cooperate, it is always a good idea to use bribery. When doing a photoshoot with your dogs, the easiest way to get them to pose in the correct position is to entertain them by using dogs treats. Hold or throw the treat in the direction you want them to stand, walk or look in order to capture that perfect shot.

For close up shots, try holding the treat over the camera lens to have the illusion that your pup is looking into the camera. For shots where you want to include a family members entire body, try placing your dog close to them and have them interact with your furry friend. That natural connection is what makes a picture more appealing and authentic. Again, dogs don’t and probably won't listen to your every command. Get down on their level, be playful, and plan for this to take some time.

As with any kind of photography, being able to relate to your subject matter is extremely important. This is certainly the case when photographing your dog. Understanding your animal will help you maintain a level of patience as you carefully work through getting the perfect shot. In the end, a calm dog displays a natural, cheerful disposition which is extremely evident in the pictures you capture. This is a wonderful display of the personality your family pup possesses.

As always, happy photographing :)