When and Where to Shoot Dog Close-Up Photographs

By Kim Rodgers and Sarah Sypniewski from Dog Photography For Dummies

If you want to get close-ups of your dog's good-looking features, you may have to sneak them in during some quieter moments when you can easily focus on the details without her jockeying for the next treat. If you’re taking photos of Maggie sitting on her favorite recliner while smiling at the camera but she needs a break from concentrating, let her chill and forget about the camera.

However, you shouldn’t relax. Take a moment during that calm, still state to steal some shots of her tongue dangling out of her mouth or her ID tag resting on her neck. Don’t worry about giving her commands; let her stay in that naturally relaxed position.

This makes it more likely that she’ll hold her position long enough for you to get all your settings dialed in for a great photo.

You can take these close-ups anywhere your pooch is and anywhere you have enough light. Because these are detail shots, you don’t have a lot of background, so you don’t need to go in search of a nice setup. Zooming in when the opportunity presents itself is all you need to do.

If, on the other paw, you want photos of some of Maggie’s accouterments, you may have to be a little sneaky about it. The best advice is to make sure you don’t photograph her things when she knows about it or you may have a doggie on your hands who simply won’t get out of the shot.

If you want to snap her bowls, for example, don’t do it around mealtime. Wait until she’s napping quietly in the other room. Same goes for her toys; don’t set them up for your photo shoot in plain sight of Maggie. That’s just asking for a swift pounce to the back of the head, and that’s no fun for anybody . . . except maybe Maggie.

As for where to take photos of your canine’s inanimate objects, you can pretty much call the shots, so to speak. If the objects look good where they are and you have enough light, go for it. But try your hand at being a little creative, if you like.

Stage Maggie’s favorite toy in the grass outside or floating in the pool. Move her bowls to that cool, striped throw rug and place a half-eaten dog biscuit nearby. Hang her leashes on an interesting doorknob or coil them up in colorful stacks.