Practical Tips for Getting Beautiful Action Photos of Your Dog

You don’t need a perfectly trained dog to get stunning images. But you do want to set the stage so we can capture the best version of them, especially when they're in action.

1. Burn Off the Buzz (But Not All of It)

If your dog tends to go from 0 to zoomies the second they’re let loose, give them a chance to let off steam before our session. I always recommend:

• A good long walk earlier in the day
• Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early so your dog can sniff and acclimate
• Holding off on intense play right before we start, so they’re not panting too hard with their tongue on full display

It’s a delicate balance. Too much excitement, and we get chaos. Too little, and they’re flat. We want that sweet spot of alert and ready to play.

2. Let Go of “Perfect” Behaviour

One of the first things I tell my clients: Your dog does not need to behave.

Seriously. They don’t need to sit still, look at the camera, or pull off fancy tricks. In fact, some of my favourite images were of dogs mid-run, tongues flopping, ears bouncing, being completely themselves. It’s not about control - it’s about capturing personality.

With the right angles, light, and camera speed, movement looks intentional and beautiful.