For pet parents, dog photography is an ongoing labor of love. You can’t help but try to capture your four-legged companion’s amazing qualities on camera, whether it’s their adorableness, intelligence, boundless energy, or goofiness. With or without canine cooperation, the results in your photo reel are generally mixed—some blurry, some just OK, and a few impressive standouts.
To score a set of fab photos worthy of showcasing in pet photo books, custom calendars, or home decor prints, consider the following top dog photography tips from Mixbook. With these dog photo ideas, your photo shoots will be more memorable, creative, and fun for both photographer and tail-wagging muse alike.
Related: The Perfect Photo Books for National Pet Day
The best settings for dog photo shoots
When you’re planning a special photo shoot, consider locations where your dog will feel comfortable, happy, and stress-free. Some dogs thrive in exciting new places, while others retreat from the unfamiliar. Every dog is different, so think about your pet’s unique personality when picking dog photo shoot settings.
Photo shoots at home
Photographing your dog at home is a no-brainer. It’s a great way to capture your authentic day-to-day life with your pet. Take photos of your dog in their favorite spots around the home, whether it’s on their dog bed, on a chair or couch (if allowed!), by their food bowl, or waiting by the door.
For posed portraits, look around the home for non-distracting backdrops like a plain wall or door, or frame-like shapes such as an archway or fireplace. Staircases and doorways can be interesting backdrops too. Move clutter out of the way and arrange a favorite blanket on the floor to make your dog comfortable.
If you have a backyard or other outdoor space at home, it’s an ideal setting for playful dog photos. In summer, turn on sprinklers or fill a kiddie pool, if your dog enjoys the water. Flower beds and grassy lawns make nice backdrops as well. Piles of fall leaves are perfect dog photo shoot settings.
Photo shoot outings
Treat your dog to walks and playtime at a favorite destination and turn the outing into a photo shoot. This could be the local dog park, a beach, trail, or any outdoor beauty spot where dogs are welcome. Off-leash areas are great for action shots. Attractive backdrops for a dog photo shoot include woodland areas, stretches of wildflowers, any bodies of water, historic buildings, and interesting architectural landmarks like bridges and fountains.
Dog photo ideas for portraits, poses & action shots
Getting a dog to pose for a photo is a tall order, even for the smartest and most obedient of pups. Approach the task with patience and flexibility, plus a pocket full of treats. Instead of setting up poses or particular moves, take many photos of your dog behaving in a natural way. Shoot from every level and angle, aiming for volume and variety of shots rather than perfection. Consider these dog photo ideas:
Sleeping poses
The easiest of all dog poses to photograph are sleeping shots. Whenever your dog has dozed off in a photo-worthy position, quietly grab your camera or smartphone, remove any clutter, and snap away from all available angles.
Portrait poses
If your dog knows how to sit, lie, and roll over, you can capture some great portrait poses on camera. Lead your dog to a chosen, clutter-free backdrop or seat, give the command, and quickly snap your shots before they move. Reward generously with treats!
For improved portrait photos, get down to the dog’s eye level. Shoot from various distances and angles. Take some “headshots” with the frame filled with their shoulders and head. Take photos looking down from your standing position, calling the dog’s name or holding a toy or treat above the camera for eye contact. Give the pup a belly rub, then remove your hands and quickly snap the gleeful pose.
Action shots
Walking, running, jumping, climbing, bounding, and chasing shots all capture the energy and agility of your dog. It’s often best to recruit a family member or friend to help with these kinds of photo shoots. Toss treats for your dog to catch in the air, or throw a favorite ball for them to fetch. Blow bubbles for a fun composition. Capture a wagging tail in motion, or your dog shaking off water after a dip.
Get a shot from your dog-walking POV with the leash in frame. Take photos of your dog running towards and away from you. Uphill and downhill shots can be fun—take photos from both the top and bottom of a hill or staircase, and with the dog walking away or toward you.
Photo ideas with pet parents and families
Your pet photo session should definitely include you and other family members. Try these people-inclusive dog photo ideas:
- Get your dog to sit on the ground next to you, or in your lap, as you also sit or kneel.
- Capture every kind of cuddle, whether it’s picking up a small dog or kneeling with your big dog to embrace them.
- Let your big dog put their paws on your shoulders and shoot from the front and back.
- Shoot the owner from the back with the dog’s head on their shoulder, looking at the camera.
- Sit at the kitchen table together, with the dog on a chair just like the humans.
- Perform tricks/commands with the pet parent in the shot.
- Position a small dog standing between or next to their owner’s legs, cropping at the knee level.
Closeups
Tight closeup shots of your dog can be really adorable, representing the features that only you notice. Zoom in on their paws, toe pads, closed eyes while sleeping, their fuzzy ears, or snaggletooth. Get closeups of your dog’s expressive face. Say certain keywords to get their ears or eyebrows to perk up, or elicit a “smile.”
Favorite things
The best dog photo ideas reveal your pet’s personality and quirks, so shoot photos while they’re doing characteristic activities. Does your dog love looking out of the window? Go outside and take a photo from the other side of the glass. Capture their habit of waiting by the door for family members to come home, or circling around their bowl before eating. That gentle paw-on-leg move, head tilt, or lonesome howl toward the heavens? Snap away for personality-filled photos.
Props, costumes & accessories
Some dogs don’t mind wearing clothing and accessories, while others will not tolerate such indignity! If yours is a happy clotheshorse, definitely have fun with costumes for a photo shoot.
Options range from complete character costumes to seasonally appropriate accessories like woolly sweaters, booties, sunglasses, and hats.
Even if costumes aren’t your (or your dog’s) thing, you might style your pet for a photo shoot with a snazzy new collar, bowtie, or bandana. Match the color with your own outfit or accessories. Try putting a party hat or holiday-themed headband on them, then snap a pic real quick before they shake it off.
Your dog’s favorite toys and blankets are the best props for photo shoots. You could also include a hand-made sign using a chalk board or letterboard.
Pet photo shoots with a theme
Birthdays, seasons, and holidays are all popular themes for a pet photo shoot. Take photos outdoors amid seasonal scenery, such as snowy landscapes or fallen leaves. Set up portrait shots with pumpkins or Halloween decorations, wrapped holiday gifts, or fairy lights. Celebrate 4th July in the US with flags, or Valentine’s Day with pink and red hearts. Turn a whole year’s worth of seasonal shots into a year-in-review photo book or custom calendar starring your dog.
Stage a birthday shoot with presents, a dog-friendly cake or cookies, balloons, and other party decorations.
Tip: As an alternative to posing your dog with props or accessories, add fun details to the photos digitally. In Mixbook Studio™, browse stickers, backgrounds, and other design assets in photo book themes to match the content of the photos. Take a look at these themes for inspiration:
Our top dog photography tips
Our No. 1 dog photography tip is to take lots and lots of photos. This improves your chances of getting some really fantastic shots, even if there are some inevitable duds. Here are some more tips:
- Instead of a single long photo shoot, plan multiple shorter shoots and take lots of spontaneous shots in between.
- Keep any commands brief, casual, and natural—too many requests and anything unexpected might confuse or stress your dog.
- Shoot outdoors during golden hour (around sunrise or sunset) when the natural light is prime for photography.
- Take photos right after your dog has been groomed, or at least bathed and brushed!
- For photos with people and pets, wear colors that contrast with the color of the dog’s coat. For example, wear bright or light colors while posing with a chocolate lab, or darker colors with a white or tan pooch.
- Use a fast shutter speed or burst mode on a smartphone camera for action shots.
- Take videos of your dog and export still shots as photos.
Turn your pet photos into personalized photo books & more
If your pet photo efforts have resulted in a collection of dog photos you love, don’t let them live only in your photo reel. Head to Mixbook to transform the best photos into a personalized photo book, calendar, or canvas print.
Looking for inspiration? Check out these top pet photo book ideas.
