Creative Dog Photography | by Heidi Ziemann
Have you ever come across a fun dog image and you wonder “how in the world did they execute that image?” I have to admit that same thought crossed my mind time and time again. Today, I am sharing my entire creative dog photography process with you.
The Basics
It’s very important to introduce your dog to your camera. Cameras and lenses can be quite scary for a little (or big) dog. They make all sorts of sounds and movements. Allow them to sniff it, place it on the floor and let them walk around it and also be sure to press the shutter button so they can be acquainted with the sounds. Reward with treats during this process.
Now that your dog is used to your camera and has developed a positive association towards it, it’s time to incorporate basic training. This will vary and greatly depend on each individual dog but I find that very basic training such as sit, stay and wait go a very long way with dog photography. I utilize these 3 commands during every single session with my dog.
Rewarding will be your BEST friend during creative sessions with your pup. You’ll want to utilize a high value treat. Think of something that they love but don’t get very often. I like to use very simple ingredient freeze dried treats when I’m working with Luna. Sometimes if I need a higher form of cooperation from her I will cut up half of a beef hot dog into small pieces and use those.
Planning
Planning your session out and what you’d like to get out of it is another important step. For me this often looks like writing down my ideas, looking at examples if applicable and forming a list of what supplies, camera gear, and photo equipment I need. During this part I also think about location and weather. Do I want my image to be outside with warm tones and a lush background or can I make this work indoors? Is the weather going to be ideal? Does my location have a lot of distractions that could impair my dog's attention span? What obstacles might I encounter? Is this location safe for my dog? Having all of this prepared will greatly reduce your stress and expectations which in return will allow your dog to feel more at ease and comfortable.
Taking the Photos
Now that you’ve got the basics down and prepared for your session with your pup, you get to do the fun part and bring those ideas to life! During this part I will gather up all of my supplies, gear and treats and have them set up before I bring my dog in. Once you’re ready this is where all of your basic commands will come in handy. Mark where you want them, bring them into a “sit” and ask them to either “wait” or “stay”. Have them hold this position while you capture your image and immediately reward. Here you can throw in any fun tricks you’d like them to do if you have any. Don’t forget to capture their personalities as well. Most of the time my favorite images aren’t the picture perfect ones but the ones with the goofy faces and the smug looks.
Safety
If you are doing your session outdoors it’s vital to keep safety in mind. I do not ever take my dog completely off leash when doing an outdoor session. If you need to be a distance away you can use a longer leash. For outdoors I also assure that I am safely away from any roads, busy or crowded areas and fully aware of my surroundings.
Post-Processing
This is where the real fun begins! Creative dog photography requires a lot of post-processing magic. This is the place where I will do things like edit out leashes, remove distractions, edit wrinkles in fabric, add in some magic and bring my photo to life. A lot of my photos with Luna will require me to do a composite, such as the image below where I had to remove a stand in prop and add some smoke to bring my final idea to life. Sometimes my images will take minutes to finish and other times they will take hours, depending on what I’m trying to accomplish.
Capturing creative dog photos is such a fun and rewarding experience, and with the right approach, you can turn your vision into playful and captivating images. By preparing your dog with basic training techniques, planning each session thoughtfully, and keeping safety in mind, you’ll be set up for success. Don’t forget to embrace the unique personality and quirks your pup brings to the process—that’s what makes each photo truly special. So grab your camera, some treats, and get ready to create magical memories with your pet!
