All pet parents want to capture that picture perfect moment with their dog to share on Dogbook, Instagram, or simply in the family photo album. Are you having trouble getting a nice picture of your dog? Every time you try to take a picture of your dog all you get is a blur of fur…sounds familiar eh? Well, you’re in luck because I have some tips for you! A lot of people always ask me how I capture such great pictures of Simba. I’m going to share with you what I do and maybe it will help you catch some precious moments.
1. Teach Your Dog Simple Commands
If you teach your dog simple commands like “sit”, “stay”, or “lay down” it will make your life sooo much easier when trying to have a mini photo shoot of your pooch! If your dog obeys these commands you will no longer have a blur of fur in all of your pet pictures. Take your dog wherever you’d like to take the photo…maybe outside by the beautiful flowers and tell him to “stay”. You can then snap a couple of pictures until you’re satisfied. If you have taught your dog this command he will stay there until you tell him to “come on boy” or whatever command you teach him to let him know it’s okay to move from that spot now.
2. Reward Your Dog
Being a puppy model is hard work! Bribe your dog to take some pictures…oops I mean reward your dog with his favorite treat 🙂 When I show my dog Simba a treat and I have my camera in my hand he seems to know that if he poses for a couple of shots he’ll be rewarded with a treat. This was learned over time of course so be patient! I also rub his belly or head and let him know what a good boy he is for taking such fantastic pictures.
3. Squeaky Toys Are Your Friend
Your dog is still, but won’t look at your camera huh? Use a squeaky toy! Squeaky toys can be your best friend when trying to grab your dog’s attention. Sounds will definitely do the trick for you. You can even make a noise yourself if you want to be silly and you know your dog will respond to it. Sometimes I use a squeaky toy and hold it right above or near my camera to get Simba’s attention. It works like a charm!
4. Be Quick!
I think the best pictures are the ones where you simply catch the picture perfect moment and snap away. There are plenty of times I see Simba doing something cute or he just looks adorable and I quickly grab my cell phone or camera if it’s near and get the shot. Some of Simba’s best pictures happen that way. I remember when I let him run around outside for the first time and he took a rest in the grass. He was so cute and it looked as if he was posing and just screaming inside for me to take the picture so I did! It turned out to be a pretty awesome picture and it was completely by accident. I just saw a picture perfect moment and I was quick enough to capture it.
Hopefully these tips help you out and you’ll have the picture perfect dog! Make sure you upload your photos to Dogbook so that we can see those precious moments!
Is your dog a natural in front of the camera? What do you do to get your dog to pose for pictures? We’d love some tips! Please do tell. Simply share your tips or experiences in the comments below. We can’t wait to read them!
Note: I am a contributing blogger for Dogbook. I post articles to Dogbook Daily a couple of times a month. I get compensated for Dogbook articles.
Bren (Pibbles & Me) says
Great shot! Happy Hump Day!
Bren (Pibbles & Me) recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Chuckit
Reilly and Denny says
Great tips and checking if your camera has the fast frame option helps too…that is what we use
Gracie says
I taught Gracie and Henri the Watch Me command so sometimes I’m able to get some great pictures that way. But you are right, you can get some great shots when they are just being themselves and doing cute stuffs! That’s how I got their kissy kissy pictures!
Gracie recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
GizmoGeodog says
I’ve been photographing Gizmo since the day I brought him home from the shelter…often …4 years later he stops and poses if he sees me with the camera…he’s a natural and looks right at the lens till i tell him it’s OK…only real problems is that he’s so small & quick that it’s hard to get those kewl action shots
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kirbysdawgblog says
Those are some great tips, luckily for me Kirby really is a natural in the camera so it doesn’t take much work, me however…maybe I should be using them lol!
kirbysdawgblog recently posted..Ancient beginnings
Misaki says
hehehe i like using my last second evasion technique:-) Daddy has a good camera though with an action setting so that helps!
Misaki recently posted..Geocaching with Uncle Lee!
Pamela says
These are some great tips……I can add to these tips as a dogographer!……Great looking blog site, and as my blog grows I hope to have mine looking just as good!
One important tip is to groom your dog a day before any photo shoot, and another is to get down to their level and shoot at their eye level- of course only with a camera!