Hi there! I’m Allison, a professional pet photographer here in San Diego! I own Allison Shamrell Pet Photography, and I’ve been specializing in working with pets (especially dogs) for over four years… so I’ve learned a few tricks along the way! I’d love to share a few of them with you, just in case you’d like to improve your snapshots of your own pets.
- Get on their level!
Whether you have a dachshund or a great dane, your dog’s perspective is totally different than yours. And a new point of view can make a huge difference in your portraits! So get on the ground – even try laying down – and see the world from your dog’s eyes. I guarantee it’ll get your creative juices flowing! - Look for the light.
Have you ever tried to photograph your dog indoors, at nighttime? (Especially if your dog is black?) Good luck with that! The best place to photograph fast-moving subjects like dogs is outdoors, in large patches of sunlight or shade. If you need to stay inside, make sure all the windows & blinds are open. The more light, the better! - Make it fun for your dog!
Don’t make camera time an obedience test. You want your dog to associate the camera with positive emotions – that way the smiles and happy faces will come much more naturally – so bring treats and make it a game! Let him run around the yard in-between poses, and incorporate plenty of playtime. He’ll get excited every time you bring out the camera! - Tucker him out first!
I hear it all the time: “My dog never sits still long enough for me to take a picture!” Well, how does your dog act after a trip to the beach, or a run with you? I bet they’re tired, even ready to take a nap – so it might be the perfect time to break out the camera! I always recommend that my clients take their dogs for a walk before our session, to get a bit of energy out first. Then, dogs are much more willing to sit & smile for the camera! - Look for the details.
Does your dog have a unique spotted tail? Big paws? One lopsided ear? A cute butt? A beautiful portrait doesn’t have to include the dog’s whole body; get creative and look for the details that make your dog special. You can even zoom in & look for interesting patterns in your dog’s fur. Macro photography can produce beautiful results! - Know your camera.
Are you working with an iPhone or a DSLR? Knowing your camera’s strengths and limitations is absolutely fundamental, because the more manual controls you have, the more creative you can get. If you’re able, try experimenting with different shutter speeds and apertures; you’ll notice a big difference the more you play around! - Take plenty of photos.
There’s a saying in the action sports photography world: “Shoot 100 photos, and you’ll get 1 keeper.” It’s true for pets, too! Don’t get discouraged if your first few photos aren’t frame-worthy. I’m not advocating quantity over quality, but I don’t want you to expect a prize-winning photo if you only take three shots. Plus, digital memory is cheap – so snap away! - Ask for help.
Will a family member join you & help out? It’s handy to have a leash-holder, treat-dispenser and command-giver on your side. (Hint: is there someone in your family that your dog listens to best? Bring that person along!) Or grab a friend, and exchange photo sessions with each others’ pets! - Keep the background simple.
You want to show off your dog’s beauty & personality, right? Keep in mind that a busy, distracting background will take away from your dog being the focus of the photo. Plus, if you try to photograph him/her somewhere public like a local park, there’s a good chance that plenty of other dogs & people will be around, not only cluttering your background but distracting your dog from focusing on you! I think every dog looks great in green grass; your backyard (however simple it may be) is a great place to get started! - Take your time.
My entry-level session is an hour long, because it simply takes time for all the elements of light, composition and the dog’s position & expression to come together all at once. Expect to spend at least 10-15 minutes with your dog, playing and taking photos, if you really want to walk away with a new favorite image. And this rule especially applies to taking photos of multiple dogs; that’s not easy to do! Plus, your dog can pick up on your stress level… so relax, slow down, and enjoy the time you’re spending together!
I hope these tips were helpful to you! Thanks for reading, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about pet photography!
-Allison
Allison Shamrell Pet Photography
619.357.6624
allison@allisonshamrell.com
www.allisonshamrell.com