20 Dog Photography Ideas To Inspire Your Next Photoshoot
By Jessica Kim
Updated on
Pet photography has become increasingly popular over the years. Taking photos of dogs can help preserve beautiful memories that people can share with their dogs. However, pet photography comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to taking still shots and having dogs face the camera.
Fortunately, there are many creative solutions and workarounds that can help you take adorable photos and meaningful moments with dogs. Here are some dog photoshoot ideas that you can use to capture fun or beautiful photos of dogs.
The 20 Dog Photography Ideas
1. Nature Shots
Many dogs enjoy spending time outdoors, so it’s very likely you’ll have an enthusiastic participant if you have a photoshoot in an outdoor setting. It’s possible to get some intentional shots where your dog is looking directly at the camera. However, it’s more likely that you’ll get a lot of good action shots and candid shots while your dog explores and plays outside.
It’s often helpful to scout out locations beforehand because it can be difficult to manage an excited dog while looking for scenic locations to take photos. Make sure also to bring plenty of treats and toys to keep your dog interested and somewhat focused.
2. Calendar Photography
If you’re looking to invest in a lengthier creative project, consider having your dog pose for a calendar photoshoot. You can create themed sets that go along with specific months, such as having your dog pose with a heart backdrop for Valentine’s Day in February. This can also be a fun project if you have multiple dogs or if you want to include your friends’ dogs.
Creating a calendar containing photos of your dog will be a fun way to celebrate dogs. They’d also make great gifts for other people in your life who also love your dog or are general dog lovers.
3. Birthday Photos
Dog paw-ties are becoming more and more popular. Having a photoshoot session during your dog’s birthday party is a great way to capture memories and get some cute photos of your dog. Many dog paw-tie venues have their own photoshoot sets and props, but you can easily make your own if you’re feeling extra creative.
Along with capturing memories, birthday photos can be reused for future birthday party invitations. So, they’re certainly worth the investment, and you’ll be sure to get plenty of good shots of your dog having fun and looking happy.
4. Action Shots
Taking photos of dogs can be challenging, especially if you’re working with a high-energy dog that has difficulty sitting still. Sometimes, it’s best to surrender to the process and take action shots rather than still photos of dogs.
When taking action shots, it’s extremely important to make sure that your camera has all the right settings, such as faster shutter speeds and using Continuous Shooting of Burst mode. If you give your camera settings a little attention, you can end up taking a lot of good action shots, and a significant amount of them can be from unintentional moments.
5. Napping Shots
There’s nothing quite as cute as a napping puppy, and taking photos of a sleepy puppy may be one of the easiest ways to get some still photos of your puppy. Of course, these photos require some coordination with timing. Try playing with your puppy and making sure they get plenty of exercise. Most puppies will get sleepy after some exercise and eating a meal. So, you’ll have the best luck when you plan for photoshoots after these times. Make sure to also tidy up your puppy’s napping area in advance to minimize disruptions as your puppy falls asleep.
6. Themed Sets and Costumes
Creating themed sets with matching costumes is a great way to build your photography portfolio and attract potential customers. You can create holiday-themed sets with matching props or design other themes, like beach sets, outer space sets, and fairy tale sets.
It’s also often worthwhile to go the extra mile and find cute outfits and accessories that match your themed sets. Incorporating dogs into the themed sets can create some really cute photos, and you can also coordinate matching outfits for humans who also want to be a part of the photoshoot.
7. Switch Lenses or Cameras
Switching up the lenses you use can create different dimensions and perspectives of the same subject. For example, photographers will use a fish-eye lens to capture adorable abstract photos of dogs.
Using different types of cameras can also achieve different effects. While it can be a bit of a gamble, using a 35mm camera can produce unique photos with irreplicable effects. They often produce a vintage effect that pairs really well with photos of dogs.
8. Silhouette Poses
Silhouette poses can capture beautiful pictures of people and their dogs while also capturing a beautiful backdrop. They’re excellent options if you’re planning to take photos during sunrises, sunsets, or golden hour.
Silhouette photos are also nice because you don’t need to leave the house to take them. Simply have your dog pose in front of a window and shoot against the source of light.
9. Going on a Walk
Most dogs enjoy going on walks, so taking photos during walks is an easy way to get shots of dogs looking happy and enjoying themselves. It also requires relatively little planning.
Another benefit of dog walk shots is that it’s very easy to take photos that look and feel natural since going on walks is a normal daily activity for many dog owners and their dogs. Just make sure to find an area that’s relatively quiet and free of distractions, like squirrels and fast cars.
10. Announcement Photos
Dogs are a part of the family and having them pose for announcement photos is a great way to include them in significant family moments. Dogs can pose for all kinds of announcements, like wedding invitations, pregnancy reveals, and other important personal events.
Pretty much any announcement photo will look adorable and fun if there’s a dog in it. Dogs will also add extra dimension and emotions to photos if you place them next to items like graduation diplomas and ultrasound photos.
11. Wedding Photos
There are many ways to incorporate dogs into engagement photos and wedding photos. Many dogs participate in weddings as ring bearers or flower girls, or they can be dressed up for the occasion. So, they may already have the necessary items to be in a wedding-themed photoshoot. You can procure many cute wedding invitation options by taking photos of dogs in themed backdrops. You can also have them wear a tie, a dog tuxedo, or a cute dress.
12. Black and White Photos
Taking black and white shots can make photos look elegant and timeless. While you’re limited on color, you can experiment with focusing on different lighting, shadows, and textures. Black and white photography can also highlight a dog’s features to create really unique photos.
13. Portrait Shots
Portrait shots work really well with dogs that have a calmer demeanor and can stay still for longer periods of time. They do a great job of focusing on a dog’s facial features and often produce adorable and endearing results. You can make portrait shots look more unique by using a fish-eye lens or taking black-and-white photos. Any dog owner will appreciate having variations of the same photo.
14. Playtime Photos
Dogs love to play, so it won’t be difficult to get them to participate in a playtime photo. You can get a lot of good action shots from these types of photoshoots like dogs play-bowing or chasing after a ball.
Similar to action shot photography, make sure to test out camera settings beforehand so that you’re prepared at the start of the photoshoot. This will ensure that you can take as many photos as possible while dogs are having fun and looking happy.
15. Photos With Food or Treats
Food-motivated dogs will love being part of a photoshoot that involves treats. You can get a lot of adorable photos of dogs while they’re staring at treats. They can look excited, happy, or show their irresistible puppy eyes.
Photoshoots with treats are also often a great way to get dogs used to photoshoots, as they get immediate rewards for participating.
16. Matching Outfits
These days, you can find many cute dog outfits. So, it’s much easier to take photos of dogs and their owners in matching clothes. Some owners will already have outfits prepared, while others won’t have anything. So, it’s often helpful to do your own research beforehand and make suggestions for any dog owners who don’t really have any ideas and are looking for suggestions. Some of the easiest outfits to coordinate are pajamas and wearing the same-colored T-shirts.
17. Holiday Photos
Doing a holiday-themed photoshoot with dogs is sure to boost festivity and make holidays more fun. Fortunately, you can find many holiday props and backdrops at relatively affordable prices. They can end up being a great investment because you can use them year after year and with multiple dogs. So, not only will you produce festive and fun photos, but you can also quickly build your pet photography portfolio with these types of photoshoots.
18. Photos of Hugs
Photos of dog owners and dogs hugging are relatively beginner friendly. They don’t require a huge investment in set designs and props. Another reason why these photos are easier to take than others is that you don’t need anyone to look directly at the camera to get some good shots.
Photos of dog hugs always come out looking endearing, and many dog owners will appreciate you for capturing a sweet moment with their dogs.
19. Playing With Friends
Some dogs have very social personalities and may feel more enthusiastic about taking photos if their friends are there. Dogs playing together create a cute scene, and you can end up producing some adorable photos that also feel very natural. The only challenge is keeping dogs within the camera lens frame. So, it’s important to have your camera prepared to keep up with dogs if a game of chase ensues.
20. Focus on the Eyes
Taking portrait shots that focus on a dog’s eyes can add depth and meaning to a photo. Many people may appreciate these types of photos because staring into a dog’s eyes can release oxytocin, which is a hormone that promotes positive feelings.
When taking these types of photos, it’s important to have good lighting so that you don’t use your camera flash. Other than that, they’re relatively easy to take and don’t require any props or special backdrops.
Conclusion
There are many types of photoshoots that suit different dogs. So, when you’re doing dog photography, it’s often best to focus on a dog’s interest and work with their temperament. If you’re working with high-energy dogs, it’s probably better to take more action shots. Low-energy dogs are often better suited for still photos.
Fortunately, it’s common to end up with some funny and endearing candid shots no matter what happens during a dog photoshoot. So, don’t hesitate to start exploring the world of dog photography and curating your own collection of unique photos of your dog.
Featured Image Credit: Jus_OI, Shutterstock
