PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR PET DOG

  Does size matter when it come to taking pictures of your pet dog. Well, yes in some cases it does. The tiny tea cup Chihuahua to the king size Saint Bernard will have a factor in the setting and environment used as well as the light reflected off the animal. Simply being able to handle the animal in a shoot. A tiny two pound Chihuahua may seem simple, but if he were to leap from your arms and fall to the ground they could sustain serious injuries. On the other hand trying to photograph and control a 165 pound plus saint Bernard can be challenging if you do not have the proper strength for such a large dog,
 With the larger dogs it is a whole different play ground when it comes to posing the animal for that special shot, either for the professional or the pet owner just keeping their own albums. The larger dog may not be able to be placed on as many different types of props as would the tiny breeds. The photographer will have to find more creative ways of photographing the larger king size dogs to have a variety of shots.
Keep your photo periods with your dog customers not too long, and show patience and care while handling the animal. Some tiny dogs may fear camera equipment in their faces. Let them near the equipment and sniff it, and hold equipment close to them so they become accustomed to it near them. The odd larger dog may also need to be accustomed to the equipment if they seem uneasy.

  Make sure you are prepared with the dogs favorite treat during each photo shoot. Make each shoot like a training session. Reward the dog for sits and stays during the shoots. After the click of the camera make a big deal for a great picture. This gives the dog a moment of praise and excitement and then a chance to get ready for the treat for the next shot, If you have a regular dog that is being used for advertising he will be a costumed to the routine to the photo shots and know what is expected if you make it a fun thing to do for the dog.  Never push your luck on any sized dog that is being un-cooperative and acting tense or making aggressive noises this will likely land you a serious bite to your hand or face which ever is nearest to the dog.

  The creative way you shoot your photo is fun all the way to the type of lighting in the photo I personally never use flash around animals. Even around the calmest "pussy cat of a dog" you could still set off a nerve and make a dog go crazy and run away, or ramp around a room breaking things.
You can have different subjects with the dog, maybe other dogs or family members. Children and dog make great subjects to shoot. The owner and pooch one on one shots are great for that emotional capture. My favorite pet photography way of picture taking is macro close ups of the dog. Another really great way of capturing a dog in photography is action shots. From the little Jacks to the big Dobes they all have great potential of energy and quick action shots for you to chase in so many ways. It is a matter of having the right equipment and being in the right place at  the right time, and always being safe with your dog when taking them places to photograph them.

Animal Picture site with Tarantula Journal Information


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