When I was writing this, I decided to put away my professional camera and picked up my iPhone to take some quick pics of Baxter around the house. Poor guy, he is always my model … but well rewarded with treats!

Do you want to be able to take better snapshots of your dog? I receive a lot of questions on how clients can take better photos. You don’t need an expensive DSRL camera to capture everyday moments. With all these tips you can use a handy point-and-shoot camera to create better images of your furbaby! Your photos don’t have to be posed or pre-planned. Whether running in the snow, playing with a toy or just chilling – everyday moments with your dog are great moments to remember!

1. Treats & Toys & Noises
A lot of dogs are food motivated, so for these pups, treats are a must. I like to hold a treat right by the lens, so that the dog is looking directly into the lens. If your dog isn’t food motivated, squeaky toys work wonders to capture their attention and you might even get that adorable head tilt when they hear a toy. Key words to catch your dog’s attention or strange noises are great, too.

2. A Dog’s Eye View
Most of us get lazy when taking photographs of our dogs and always shoot down at them. That usually results in excess items in the frame which sometimes include your own legs or feet. Get down on their level! I’ve been known to lay on the ground to get a better perspective when taking pet photos.

3. No More Flash
People get red-eye, dogs get alien-eye when you use your camera’s flash when photographing them. Try to find another light source inside your home, like a window. Natural light from a window is a soft, beautiful light. If you’re outside, try to find a shaded area which also offers a soft light.

4. Action
Capture your dog in motion is easy. If you’re using a point-and-shoot , change it from auto to sports mode (sometimes called action mode). This setting is perfect for any moving object. This mode freezes the action by increasing the shutter speed. If you’re creating action photos, leave room around your pet in the viewfinder so you don’t cut any of him or her off in the photo.

5. Keep It Simple & Get In Close
No need for elaborate backgrounds or clutter in the photo. Zoom in tightly on them to remove all the distractions in the background. Your pup is the subject of the image, so you don’t need to take a photo of the entire room.

Hopefully these tips will help you to create better everyday photos of your dog. If you are interested in capturing your dog’s image to use as a piece of fine art for your home, contact Danielle Neil Photography for details on a dog portrait session.