How to Creatively Photograph Your Dogs

Do you want to learn how to creatively photograph your dogs? Regina Boston is going to show you how!

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” ~ Josh Billings

These words are so true! There is something special about the unconditional love a dog gives that just warms my heart. My husband and I have seven kids, two dogs, and a gecko. Two of our seven children are grown and have left the house. Because of this, I keep telling my husband that every time a child graduates, we need to get a puppy. He’s not too fond of that idea, but I think it’s brilliant. Wouldn’t it be glorious to have a house full of dogs that are always loving and thankful to have you around? The joy that they bring and express is why I love to creatively photograph my dogs.

When photographing my dogs, I prefer to use two methods – posed portraits or capturing the moment. Both methods help to capture your dog’s personality. I have one dog that used to be camera shy, so much so, that each time I raised the camera he would turn his head away from me and point it towards the ground. I thought to myself, really?! How is it possible as a photographer to have a pup that is camera shy! That’s when I started thinking of different ways to capture him in the moment, whether it would be him standing at the back door to go outside or napping in his bed.

Here are some tips on how to creatively photograph your dogs the moment:

• First, be patient and allow plenty of outtakes. Because sometimes what you think is an outtake could be a splendid capture.
• Capturing their personality will create lasting memories. Does your dog love playing in the water, take pictures of them playing in a creek or swimming in a pool? Our neighbor has a golden retriever who could spend all day in the pool and it is so stinking cute! I’ll look over and see her just swimming by herself or relaxing on the steps. Our boy pup LOVES drinking water from the hose and I have so many images of those moments. Our girl pup enjoys a good stroll in the river.
  

  Lensbaby Sol45 / ISO 320 / F/3.5 /1/125sec

• Does your dog love to take a nap in a little pocket of sunlight on the floor? Heck yeah, they do! Our two will lay on top of each other if it means they each so they can each get an inch of sunlight streaming through the window. Times like that, I prefer to have my camera nearby to quietly capture them. My dogs are like my shadows, and the moment I get up to stand they are instantly right next to me. That’s why it best to use whatever you have nearby in moments like that, camera or phone camera.
  

  Lensbaby Edge 35 + Composer Pro II / F/4 / 1/1600sec

• Perhaps you have a dog that loves to run and shower you with a big goofy smile. OMG those are the best moments and it’s so adorable when your dogs smile. Moments like these are great to look back on when you’re having a “ruff” day! My pups are very stoic looking, which is ironic because they are just big goof balls who love to play. Our boy is part Boxer and will stand at the back door with this intense look, even though we know he wouldn’t hurt a fly! Our girl looks like she could be a Queen and she’ll sit with her paws crisscrossed and her head held high. However, in reality she’s even goofier than our boy. Capturing their personalities is why I photography my dogs because these are the moments I want to look back on long after they have left us.
  

  Lensbaby Velvet56 ISO 1250 F/4 1/320sec

   

  

  Lensbaby Sweet50 + Composer Pro II ISO 3200 F/4 1/500sec

• What does naptime look like in your home? That’s a wonderful place to capture your dog in the moment, resting, and unaware of your camera. Our dogs have taken over the back of the couch like cats. It’s quite funny and a bit bothersome since they are both over 60lbs and have smushed the pillows. This is why they now have the nickname, couch sloth.
  

  Lensbaby Edge 35 + Composer Pro II / ISO 1250 / F/4 /1/30sec

   

  

  Lensbaby Edge 35 + Composer Pro II / F/4 / 1/60sec

• Is your pup in charge of neighbor watch? Always looking out the window, either to tell you that a stranger is walking by your home, or longing to chase those rascally squirrels. Perhaps, they’re waiting patiently for a family member to arrive home. These are great moments to capture! I will sit in our dining room, which is at the front of our house and observe our dogs watching the neighbors go by. I’ll casually raise my camera and capture them “on duty.” Slow movements while photographing your pup are good. They are less likely to notice the camera and more interested in what is happening outside.
  

  Lensbaby Sol45 / ISO 640 / F/3.5 / 1/640sec

   

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these courses we have available:

Fearless Photoshop
Mastering Skin Tones
Composition for Storytellers
Natural Light for Storytellers

Here are some tips on how to creatively photograph portraits of your dogs:

Assistance: 
I request the help of either my kids or my husband to get the dogs to cooperate. Though, any willing friend or family member will work. I will ask my assistant to stand behind me so they can make noises to help keep their attention. However, if your dog is well trained,  an assistant might not be needed. Unfortunately, I need an assistant because mine are not well trained.

Treats:
We have used little treats or large milk bones iced with peanut butter to get the dogs to participate. These are our dogs favorite treats. I’ll have my assistant hold the treat in the direction I want the dog to look to get his attention. Can your dog catch a treat if you toss it to them? Have your helper toss the treat in the air and catch them in mid-air! Perhaps they have a favorite bone to chew on that can help them stay in one spot.

Location:
First, decide your shooting location so you can plan ahead. Your ideal location can be within your home or outside, depending on what you are trying to capture. Posed portraits work best when a dog knows their surroundings, are comfortable, and are relaxed. When your dog is relaxed, they will trust you and their surroundings. Trust is a key componant to capturing great photographs of your dogs. If they trust their environment they will be more willing to pose proudly. Our girl is the queen of posing! Though, I think she just really likes the direct attention.

We have such a small amount of time with our beloved pets, so capturing them in these moments helps to ensure that the memories of our four-legged friends live well beyond the time they graced us. We may take them in as pets…but they become family and steal our hearts!

If you’re on Instagram, you should check out our dog loop #itsadogslifeloop . Trust me when I say, it will add a smile to your day! Do you have questions about documenting your pup or Lensbaby Lenses? Send me a message!

About Regina:

Regina Boston of RMB Photography is a family, nature, and macro photographer from Maryland. A wife, mother of 7 children, 1 grandson, and 2 dogs. She captures subjects as they are, helping people notice small beautiful details in the world around us. Regina is also a Lensbaby Ambassador and she is happy to help you decide which Lensbaby is best for you! Message her through social media (listed below) if you have any questions!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Regina’s Gear:

• All images were taken with Canon 5d Mark IV
• Velvet56
• Velvet85
• Edge35
• Sol45
• Spark2
• Sweet50
• Twist 60
• Composer Pro II
• Omni Creative Wands
• Macro Filters