Most dogs love food and are motivated by food. I know my dogs are! As soon as I say "treats" all three of them sit in a row in front of me and stare at me!
For those dogs who are food-motivated, then using treats or food is a good way to grab their attention. There are a few ways you can use treats. You can use them by getting them into a sit or drop position, grab a quick shot then give them the treats. You might need a hand from someone as it can be tricky holding treats in one hand and a heavy camera in the other but it is possible.
Another way is to let your dog smell the treat in your hands and lure back your hands towards the camera and hold it right beside the camera. Hopefully they'll stare at it instead of following your hand - this will allow you to take that shot of them looking into the camera.
Lastly, some dogs like the sound of the treat bags - you can use this too by shaking or scrunching the treat bag while holding it near your camera so they will look at you.
For those pups who are a bit picky with their treats, you'll have to use a higher-value treats or something special that they don't usually get, or try another trick below.
Noises can grab the dog's attention and sometimes depending on the noise you make you can get a cute head tilt.
You'll need to figure what noise works for each dogs... when you see me at at session you'll definitely hear me make all sorts of noises from high pitch noises, barking, squeaking, you name it! Yes I do look and sound very silly but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to get that shot!
You can also use a squeaky toy to make the noise and get their attention. Or I do have a noisemaker - a fox duck call which makes a great noise that most dogs respond to. I know there's a few other noisemakers you can get but this one has worked for me along with just making voice noises myself.
Before each session, I have a questionnaire I send to my clients asking them about their dog's favourite food and toys. I would then recommend if your dog has a favourite toy that you bring it to the session as it can be a good way to grab their attention. It's even better if it has a squeaker or makes some kinds of noise then you can use the toy as a visual distraction and the squeak or noise as an additional way to grab their attention.
Some dogs may not respond to food, noise or toys so sometimes you just have to be patient with them and you just have to wait it out or capture the dog in natural candid pose. I love the action shots where you can get them running towards you - it can be tricky but when you capture these they are great. Sometimes the photos of the dog looking in the distance actually creates a beautiful shot and creates curiosity about what the dog is looking at or what they're thinking.
So let's chat about personalising your pet photography session and capturing their personality and character.
Leave a comment
9 Comments
Aug 8, 2021, 3:29:37 PM
Tracy Allard - I love the colors in your images and that reflection image is STUNNING!
Jul 4, 2021, 2:50:22 PM
Darlene - Great tips! That reflection image is EPIC! I'm in love! Nicely done!
Jul 2, 2021, 2:24:37 PM
Linda Perdue - Simple, but perfect tools of the trade. The toy was a new one, haven't done that one before!
Jul 2, 2021, 1:44:11 PM
Terri Jankelow - Just love that image of the dog with the reflection. I agree - images of dogs looking into the distance can be magic. Lucky people of Canberra to be able to come to you for their dog photo sessions
Jul 2, 2021, 10:49:49 AM
Nicole - I love your work!
Jul 2, 2021, 9:06:29 AM
Ina Jalil - Thanks Angela!! The boxer Scarlett - she is a cutie - she's a momma now!
Jul 2, 2021, 8:02:15 AM
Angela Schneider - That boxer is adorable. That reflection image is FIRE. Just incredible work for pet photography sessions in Canberra.
Jul 2, 2021, 7:46:57 AM
Ina Jalil - Thanks Nancy!
Jul 2, 2021, 6:21:05 AM
Nancy - I love your reflection image of the dog looking out in the distance