If you want to take beautiful photos of your dog, besides skillfully using the camera in your hands, interacting with your dog is actually very important. Dogs are naturally lively, and getting them to pose as you want can be quite challenging. Here, the editor will teach you how to make good use of your dog's nature to guide them, so you can capture your pet’s cutest and most beautiful side.

Aren't you very envious of dogs obediently cooperating to take photos with their owners?

　　1. Put the Dog in a High Place
　　Dogs are naturally afraid of heights, which is something you should take advantage of when photographing them. For especially naughty dogs that run around like noisy toys on the ground, the best way to photograph them is to place them in a high spot: on a chair, stairs, or even a table. The high position and relatively small area will make the dog a bit nervous, and most dogs won’t dare to jump down. At first, they may be a little restless, pacing with their feet, wanting you to pick them up, and then they will sit and wait for you to cuddle them. This is the best time to take photos.
　　2. Play Until the Dog is Tired
　　For dogs with excess energy, play with them for a while first. Throw a toy for them to fetch several times or play some games they enjoy. In short, let them expend some energy. Then combined with the previous trick, it will be easier to photograph them. However, for dogs that drool a lot or have long fur around their mouths, it’s best not to use this method because after playing, their mouths will be wet, and photos will look dirty and less appealing.

Use treats or toys in your hands to attract the dog's attention

　　3. Skillfully Use Toys and Treats
　　This trick is used during the process of attracting the dog’s attention and getting them to cooperate with you for photos. Food and toys always attract a dog’s attention, especially toys that make sounds. When you shake a toy to produce noises, the dog will not only focus their gaze on your toy but also tilt their head because of the sound. This allows you to take photos with strong camera presence. Treats are used when a dog gets a bit impatient to encourage them, while also helping to change the direction of their gaze to suit your shot.
　　4. Understand the Dog’s Thoughts
　　Dogs, as living creatures, have their own thoughts and favorite spots where they feel more comfortable and secure. At such spots, you can also take better photos because dogs can quietly lie down there, possibly holding a small toy or with some favorite items nearby. Photos taken this way are more interesting than just shooting the dog alone. So it’s not necessary to move the dog to the spot you think is beautiful; following their preference isn’t necessarily bad. This is a mat placed against the wall that the dog likes very much, and photos taken here look great.

Choosing a background color that matches the dog’s fur color is also very important

　　5. Choose the Right Color Scheme
　　Dogs come in various colors, and the environment's colors play a crucial role in whether the final photo looks good, which is my personal experience. Placing a solid-colored dog in a richly colored environment yields better photos than a single-colored environment. For example, for speckled dogs like the salt-and-pepper pattern Shih Tzu with inconspicuous eyes, shooting in a brightly lit place can highlight their bright eyes. Additionally, choosing a bright color block as the background can make the overall feel more lively.