Whether you’re a pro photog or just love to snap pics on your phone, filling your camera roll with your four-legged muse is always a joy. Today’s the perfect opportunity to take even more sweet snaps of your pup. July 26th marks Dog Photography Day, coined in 2018 by pro pet photographer Kerry Jordan. To celebrate, get inspired by our ten favorite photo op ideas for precious shots you’ll treasure forever.

1. The “Now and Then” Photoshoot

Dig through the first photos you ever took of your dog when you first brought them home and pick one to recreate. For an extra touch of nostalgia, include an old toy, sweater, or any item that you can reuse in the new photo to showcase how much your pup has grown.

2. The Dog “Un-Shaming”

You might remember the social media trend, “dog shaming,” that went around a few years ago, where dogs held signs confessing to their crimes. Instead of having your dog telling on themselves for “getting too friendly at the dog park,” or “chewing every left shoe in the house,” why not try dog “un-shaming”? Take photos of your dog holding signs showing off their greatest accomplishments.

3. The Closeup

Take some closeups of your dog’s best features. Zoom in on their expressive eyes, zero in on their toe beans, and get a close shot of their floppy ears. Don’t forget to get a macro shot of their nose - every dog’s noseprint is unique, just like a fingerprint.
 

4. The Action Shot

In a safe, fenced-in yard or with a long leash, have your dog “sit,” and “stay,” then get an action shot when they come running to you. You can get a crisp action shot by setting your point-and-shoot camera to sport mode, or increasing the shutter speed on your DSLR. If you’re using your smartphone, press and hold the shutter to activate “burst mode,” or continuous shooting mode.”
 

5. The Jurassic Bark

Make your dog look larger than life by shooting up from close to the ground. If you’re using a smartphone, hold it upside down so the camera is pointing upwards. Bonus points if you take this shot around greenery to make it look as though your dog is a hundred feet tall, stomping through the forest like a t-rex. Or, take photos near a shoreline or cityscape, using the magic of forced perspective to make your dog look like they’re about to wreak havoc on the tiny citizens below.
 

6. The Black and White

Transform your dog into a high fashion model by simply editing any portrait to a high contrast black and white. If you’re handy with Photoshop, add a color splash effect by leaving a pop of color for extra drama.
 

7. The Welcome Home

Does your dog’s welcome home party make your day, every single day? Get ready for an action shot, and capture your dog’s pure joy upon welcoming you home, or take a photo of them greeting another loved one.
 

8. The Treat Toss

Toss your dog a tasty snack, and capture your dog’s funny faces as they catch the treat in midair. It’s much easier if you have an assistant to toss the treat while you zero in on their reaction. Use the action or sports mode on your camera or use burst shots for picture-perfect timing.
 

9. The Extraterrestrial

Remember that classic scene from the 2002 film “ET: The Extraterrestrial,” when ET was hiding in a closet, peeking out from a pile of stuffed animals? You know what to do! Gather up all of your stuffed animals, your dog’s toys, or, if you have it, a collection of toys that resemble your dog’s breed. Position your dog in the shot so they blend in with the toys, slightly offset to one side to create a convincing illusion of being part of the toy collection.
 

10. The Silhouette

If you’re in the mood for a challenge that’s so worth the effort, try taking a silhouette portrait of your dog. To capture their silhouette, you’ll need to set up a shot with a light source in the background. This is easiest to do outdoors, with natural light from a sunrise or sunset. Indoors, you can capture a silhouette by shooting your dog in front of a window with all of your interior lights turned off.
 

Getting The Best Shots for Dog Photography Day

The best photos of your dog will be spontaneous and capture their true spirit. Keep it simple and leave out any cumbersome props or costumes and give your dog plenty of breaks. Most importantly, keep your model motivated and well-paid with healthy dog treats. That’s all it takes to take creative, dynamic photos that will capture memories to last a lifetime.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.