Butts are cute too

As pet photographers I think we sometimes get focused on those cute little faces looking at us and forget that dogs like all things have many different angles.

Some of my favourite shots I have captured have actually involved a canine butt….I know, I know it sounds strange but bear with me. How do we as humans generally know how a dog is feeling?……what’s the dogs big give away? ………

Ding Ding Ding! Yup! it’s tail so why not try and capture that happy moment of not just its gorgeous toothy grin, but its wiggly butt.

The first photograph I’m going to share with you I titled “I’m off on an adventure” as that is precisely what I believe was running through little Jelly’s head as she trotted off down the track to explore the Scottish Riverside.

Her tail is up and ears are pricked and I don’t need to see her face to know that she is super happy and nor will other owners of other dogs.

Pet photography, I'm going on an adventure, cocker spaniel, Jack russell, adventure time
I’m off on an adventure

The next photograph I am going to share is one from a shoot on a beach I did some years ago with a friend and her dogs, but it remains one of my favourites, but sadly I cannot for the life of me find the original hence the watermark and poor quality. (another lesson, make sure you securely store you photographs). But you get the idea!

Two super happy butts with a lovely reflection on the sand bounding towards the waves for a paddle. As I say they were my friends dogs but I cannot look at this photograph and not have a silly grin on my face as I share their joy in that moment.

jack russells, beach, dog photo shoot, canine photography
happiness is…

I think this is an important point that photography isn’t always about the quality and perfect capture of an in focus eye but the feeling you get when you look at a photograph, does it wow you? does it make you smile?

dog walking, pet photoshoot,
Millie’s marvellous mutts

Whenever I am doing one of my location shoots I will always ask the owner to walk away from me with the dog/dogs and they quizzically look at me as if to say you want a pic of my back? Then when the photos come through they usually love it as it is a quiet moment of no stress between them and their pet. The above photo has even been used as a silhouette for the clients dog walking business, she loved it so much she sees it daily on her truck.

Then we have an accidental butt shot where I hadn’t got back in position in time before the dog jumped…… you don’t need to see his face to know how much he wants that dummy! haha

gundog training, water dummy, jump, leap of faith, event photography
Jumping into the unknown! – a leap of faith

So I guess what I am trying to say is Ogres have layers and dogs have angles! Keep it in mind next time your on a shoot. 🙂

I am part of a blog circle – please go check out

Linda Perdue with VP Shoots Photography specializing in photographing pets and their families in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. 

Make sure you get his good side!

RED – the original poser!

Half of the battle in getting good photographs of pets in preparation. Deciding on the location, time of day, inside/outside, learning about what makes your subject tick and sorting what equipment you’ll need.

So where to pose your pooch?

When out and about it is important to take into consideration the sun/shadows when deciding where to pose your pooch. I would always aim (especially in summer) to have outdoor photoshoots in the golden hour after and before sunset with the soft light, but this isn’t always possible.  Once you’ve decided which direction best lights your gorgeous four-legged model then it time to take into consideration the background. Is it a background that enhances your canine poser or is it one that will distract?  Look for any lines in your background and ensure any horizon/sky lines are level and I like to put these either a third up or a third down the image. (personal choice)   Next is to decide on whether you want any detail in the back ground or whether you are going to use a shallow depth of field and just keep the subject sharp, I use both in different situations. 

Maisie – framed by foreground

Now you have picked the perfect spot, how do you get the most out of your subject?

Is your subject pro poser or a shrinking violet?

Some dogs are natural born poser like my Red cocker, he loves the camera and the camera loves him, but some dogs will shut down when a camera is pointed at them making you stop to wonder if you’ve actually picked up a gun by mistake.   Nobody wants a photograph of their dog looking miserable…….unless of course that is their character….(sometimes it is, so embrace the grumps)

Cody – sometimes the background doesn’t work and needs post shoot tweaking

It is this point that talking to your clients about their dog’s personality is import, this is why I will always ask, what three words would you use to best describe your pets character and what does your dream photograph of them look like?

Once you know the character of your subject its up to you often with the help of an owner to bring it out and capture it! 

I will try and get the dog posed in several different positions, but the levels of training vary greatly so sometimes you have to work with what they give you especially when gorgeous puppies are involved.  Ideally, I would like a few standing poses, side on with them looking back down their body (I like this pose as it leads people’s eyes in and then back over the dog), then another maybe with their front paws on a log or something less natural if in the studio.  Next would be similar poses but sitting, then lying down…..My fave shot is head on the floor between paws looking straight into the camera as you can really capture the eyes, but its not always a shot I get unless they are posing pros!

So going back to our dogs that look like your about to shoot them and I don’t mean with a camera, you need to find out what makes them happiest in life and use it. Is it balls? Treats? Their human? If you are really struggling with getting a “smile” out of a dog try animal noises! Sounds crazy right….. but trust me on this one, most dogs will forget about the fact they don’t like their photo being taken and look at you with huge interest……..*disclaimer* This tactic will often end with a dog on your head to get the snap quick!! Have that shutter speed nice and high! Haha

As beautiful as our dogs are, when posing them I often use natural things found in the environment to draw your eye to them in the photo, whether that’s framing or leading lines.   Also little dogs can often get lost in an image despite making the most of angles and lying on the floor, so to help the little guys and gals out I will also make use of props that they can stand on whether that’s in the studio or out.

Nuka – getting a boost from an old trunk

The most important thing is to have fun! I enjoy ever shoot I do as there are always lots of laughs…..usually at my repertoire of animal noises! And remember you may have an idea of the shot you want in your head as may the owner but be realistic and work with whatever the dog gives you.

I am part of a blog circle so please head over and check out Angela’s blog next 🙂 this week was photographer’s choice.

Angela Schneider of Big White Dog Photography in Spokane, WA, and North Idaho