Dog Photography for the Holidays

Topic: Christmas

Filed under Dogs

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Dogs provide so much for owners that it is hard to list all the benefits. Most people are very aware of the social and emotional benefits of owning a dog, coming home to their happy, wagging tail and warm greetings at the door. Some of the medical benefits to owning a dog include lowering blood pressure along with reducing anxiety, loneliness and stress. It is therefore no wonder that at Christmas time, dog owners want to take pictures of their beloved pet and share them with their family, relatives and friends.

If you want something unique this Christmas, get a picture of your dog to put on your Christmas cards or pictures to include inside your notes and cards. You could choose to take your dog to a photo studio that specializes in holiday dog pictures and have them done professionally or you could take the pictures yourself. With help from a friend, a lot of patience and a little preparation, it is not very difficult and you will end up with pictures of your dog more relaxed and happier than if you took him into a busy photo studio. Use digital photography because it allows you to see your shot immediately and take multiple shots without costing extra. Also, take many photographs so you have a good selection from which to choose. Getting your treasured companion to cooperate or pose may be another story so here are some tips that could help you get the perfect Christmas picture.

Background

The first step in taking great dog holiday photos is to select an appropriate, interesting background. For Christmas pictures, some good background choices include a lovely, festive fireplace, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree or even a miniature Christmas tree with doggie theme ornaments if you have a small dog such as a Chihuahua or toy poodle. If you want to take pictures outside, fresh snow, a snowman or Christmas decorations make a great background. When choosing a background, it is important to take into consideration the number of dogs, their coat colors, their sizes and, if you are taking the pictures outdoors, the weather conditions. For instance, a white dog will not show up well if you take its picture outside in the snow whereas a dark colored dog may blend into the fireplace background, so it is important to choose carefully. If you are considering dressing your dog up in funny antlers, a Santa suit or cute Christmas sweater, be sure your pet gets used to it before the picture shoot.

Avoid backgrounds that are going to be highly distracting to the dog if he or she is one of those alert and always curious types of dogs. If you are going to take your pictures somewhere distracting, bring your dog early and let him or her get used to the surroundings before you start trying to take any pictures.

Lighting

Proper lighting is a crucial step in achieving excellent Christmas holiday pet photographs. Outdoor natural lighting is certainly the best lighting for taking pet photos. If it would be better to take your dogs pictures inside, then use the natural light coming slightly to the side or from behind you when you are facing your dog. Do not use settings where the natural or artificial light source is behind your pet, this will cause a washed out look to the picture and less clarity in the final product. You need to avoid direct sunlight so an overcast but bright day is ideal for those perfect outdoor shots. Also take into consideration shadows and glare, especially off of snowy surfaces.

The reason to stay away from direct sunlight when taking your pets Christmas photographs is that it can increase the contrast between light and shadow, which can alter natural coloring or hide some features. Using a flash will often distort the true shading and coloring or your dog or cause red eye unless your pet has a very dark or black coat. In most cases red eye can be corrected, especially if you are using digital imagery and a computer software program that eliminates this problem.

If you are taking your Christmas pet pictures outside, the best times are late afternoon or early morning because the quality is much better as the sun shines down on an angle rather than from directly overhead. Check your camera recommendations and use the outdoor shutter setting.

Position

For your Christmas dog photos, take close-ups to get a lot of detail and prevent too much clutter in the background. It is also important to lie down, kneel or crouch to your dog’s level for more natural looking, better dog images unless your want your dog looking up. Instead of shooting from above, take the pictures from the side for full body shots. For a lovely Christmas portrait photograph, try using a zoom lens to take some face pictures that are three-quarter views and others where the dogs face completely fills the frame. If you find it difficult to keep your pet positioned or sitting still, have a friend or family member help keep them busy by diverting their attention. Holding a treat up can also get the dog to lift or elevate his or her muzzle, giving that ideal profile shot. Just keep in mind that he or she is only going to hold that position for a brief time, so have the camera ready to go and immediately start shooting rather than waiting for the dog to get into perfect position.

Always try to keep your Christmas dog photo shoot as relaxed, fun and comfortable for your pet as possible because the less stressful and more enjoyable the photo shoot, the better the pictures. To capture your dog’s most characteristic expressions, use their favorite toys or treats to get their attention but also build in play time and lots of praise and attention. If you want a variety of wonderful, spontaneous, natural looking dog images, take photos of children or other people playing with your dog.

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