Struggling to accurately capture just how adorable your dog is in photos? Honestly, so do we, and it can get pretty frustrating to take 50 photos and have none to post to the ‘gram.
That’s why we asked professional dog photographer Ashley Timms to weigh in and share some of her tips for taking amazing puppy portraits! Based in Rhode Island, Ashley’s approach is a force-free, positive reinforcement methodology that keeps dogs feeling happy and comfortable through her sessions, and captures dogs at their best.
Ashley’s clients range from doting dog guardians and shelters to some of the world’s top dog professionals. While you could always just book a session with Ashley (seriously, you’ll love your results), she has been kind enough to share nine dog photography tips for those of us desperately trying to snap our pups at home.
“The only way to capture a happy dog is to make sure the dog is actually happy during the photos,” says Timms. “Luckily, most dogs are easy to please with treats, praise, and scratches. Keep all of those in a steady flow. If you see any signs of stress or annoyance, ditch the camera and help your dog relax.”
“The secret to great photography is finding the best light for your subject. Harsh and direct sun is best avoided,” Timms advises. “Instead, go for even light in the shade, take advantage of an overcast day, or opt for backlighting your pup. Be bold and play around with angles to find the best light.”
“Except for the Great Dane crowd, you’re going to want to get low to capture your dog’s best side,” she says. “Lower your camera down to about eye level to capture them in all their glory.”
“Does your dog know any cool tricks? One easy way to liven up any image is to get your dog to pose in a unique way. I’m partial to #TwoPaws which has the dog with two paws resting on a surface. Another top option is sitting pretty.”
“Hate to break it to you, but most dogs really don’t like to dress up in costumes,” says Timms. “Unless you’ve proactively conditioned and trained your pup for wearing an outfit using force-free methods, it’s best to do without. Your dog will thank you!”
“If you’re feeling ambitious, bust out the tripod and get in there with your pooch! Your phone might be filled with photos of your best furry friend, but make sure there are plenty of the two of you, too,” Timms recommends. “This is also a great time to play with posing. For a real challenge, you can teach your dog to do #TwoPaws on your shoulders!”
“Location, along with light, is key! Be sure to avoid super busy backgrounds where your dog will blend in. If you have an all-black or all-white dog, you may find they blend right into the background. Again, play with angles to find the best position for your dog and the camera.”
“Your dog may not be a paid model (yet), but she should be,” Timms notes. “Make sure you’re armed and ready with lots of treats to pay your pup for their patience. To keep your dog sitting still, reward them often while they’re in place. You can also use the treats to create incredible action shots–toss a treat above their head and snap a photo of them jumping through the air.”
“Well, don’t break tips 1 or 4–but when it comes to experimenting with lighting, angles, zoom, in-camera cropping, and more, it can take time to figure out what works best for you (and your Instagram grid). Be fearless with your captures, play with filters, and have fun!”
Did you try any of these dog photography tips? Show us your best pet photos on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus and head to our What’s New Shop for fresh, photo-ready styles!
Ashley Timms is a dog photographer based in Rhode Island, USA. Her approach focuses on force-free and positive reinforcement methodology to capture dogs at their happiest. Her clients range from doting dog guardians to shelters to some of the top dog trainers from around the world. When she’s not working with dogs, she and her dog, Oskar, are out exploring the coastline of the eastern US.
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