5 Top Tips for Taking the Best Outdoor Dog Photos

Capturing the best outdoor dog photos can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Here are five tips to help you achieve stunning results:

1. Choose the Right Time of Day:

The quality of natural light significantly impacts your outdoor dog photos. The golden hours, which occur during the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset, offer soft, warm, and flattering light. During these times, the sun is lower in the sky, reducing harsh shadows and providing a beautiful, soft glow that enhances your dog's fur and features. Avoid shooting in harsh midday sun, as it can create unflattering shadows and make your dog squint.

Consider the Weather and Time of Day

Golden Hour - the period of time before sunset when the sun is low enough in the sky to cast a soft, warm light.

2. Select a Suitable Location:

Pick an outdoor location that complements your dog's personality and appearance. Whether it's a vibrant park, a serene beach, a lush forest, or even your own backyard, the backdrop should enhance the overall composition of the photo. Ensure the location is safe and comfortable for your dog, allowing them to relax and be themselves. A relaxed dog will make for better photos.

Location is Everything

Consider using logs, tree stumps etc as props and don’t forget to tag locations with your camera phone should you find a location.

3. Use the Right Gear:

While you don't need a professional camera to take great outdoor dog photos, having the right equipment can make a significant difference. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, consider using a lens with a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or lower) to create a pleasing background blur (bokeh) that isolates your dog from the surroundings. If you're using a smartphone, ensure it has a good camera and experiment with portrait mode or other settings designed for pet photography.

What camera settings should you use?

If you can use manual mode, then you should!

4. Engage Your Dog:

Capturing natural and candid moments is often the goal in dog photography. To achieve this, engage with your dog to bring out their unique personality and expressions. Play with them, use their favorite toys or treats, or simply interact to capture those genuine moments of joy, curiosity, or affection. Having an assistant or a friend can also be helpful in directing the dog's attention and keeping them engaged.

5. Get Down to Their Level:

To create more intimate and compelling photos, get down to your dog's eye level. This perspective allows you to capture the world from their point of view, resulting in more engaging and emotionally resonant images. Kneel, lie down, or use a low-angle shot to achieve this perspective. It can also help reduce the chances of distracting or unattractive backgrounds.

Consider your position

Get down to the dogs level and expect to get mucky, focus on the eyes.

Bonus Tip:

6. Patience is Key:

Dogs, like humans, can have varying levels of patience and attention spans. Be patient and allow your dog to acclimate to the surroundings and the camera. Don't rush the process, as the best shots often come when your dog is relaxed and comfortable. Sometimes, it may take a bit of time for them to get used to the camera and your presence.

Remember that practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if you don't get the perfect shot on your first try. Experiment with different angles, compositions, and settings, and most importantly, have fun while capturing the unique personality and charm of your furry friend in the great outdoors.

Humour and Patience pays off

Make sure you are ready for the unexpected.