Silhouettes are one of my favourite ways to incorporate owners into the session, without placing too much pressure on them. I like to explain to them that silhouettes will only show their outline - they’ll...
Here’s a tip for creating variety when photographing dogs with their owners. If you’re finished taking a group shot with a long lens to capture natural interactions, ask them to stay where they are while you...
For posed portraits (which people do sometimes request), if you are working with dogs of different sizes, try to bring the larger dog down to the smaller dog’s level, and bring any people in the...
Shooting from a long way back and zooming in with a telephoto lens is a great way to include the surroundings, while reducing the pressure on people to “pose”. I often send them off for...
I can’t emphasis enough, how important it is with pets and people to capture natural interactions, expressions and poses. Asking people to pose and micro-managing where their hands or arms are, or where exactly they...
Especially when shooting in urban areas, use your surroundings to frame and feature dog and owner relationships. This beautiful church doorway creates the perfect frame for Hugo the Great Dane and his mum Sarah, and...
When working with dogs that are fearful with new people but have a solid, trusting relationship with their owners, capturing “dog and owner” shots while hanging back and zooming in with a long lens can...
Getting down to the level of the dog applies when both photographing them, as well as being photographing with them, especially when the subject is a little dog and even more importantly, when it’s an...
In my pre-session questionnaire, I ask if people wish to be in some of the photos with their pets. I make it pretty clear I’m not a family photographer, but I always invite people to...
Sitting little dogs up on their owners shoulders like this can be a good way of getting them to stay where you want them. It also means you can include the owner in the image,...
Candid moments between dogs and their owners are often the most genuine. Instead of “posing” people - ask them to go sit down somewhere (where the background and light is pretty) and just ask them...
An alternative pose for dogs and owners, putting little dogs on laps can sometimes help to keep them calm and still. People don’t always like their faces in photos, but are happy for parts of...
When shooting for a client and they’ve indicated they’d to be involved in some of the photos, but aren’t a fan of photos, find creative ways to incorporate them without focusing on their face or...
When including owners in the shot, put them at ease by asking them to interact with their dog. My favourite dog and owner images are natural, candid captures of belly rubs, kisses and paw shakes....