Cell Phone Dog Photography Education Series: Lesson 2
In the second lesson of Cell Phone Dog Photography we are covering different techniques that you can use while photographing dogs. My favorite cell phone photo techniques are:
- Get down low to your dog's eye level
- Flip your phone upside down so that that camera is closer to the ground
To treat or not to treat? Try starting out with no treats or muses when photographing a dog, and incorporate them as needed. When using a treat or muse, make sure to hold them right over your camera lens so that the pup is looking at lens, this makes it so that the viewer feels like they are looking in to the pup’s eyes. Don't overstimulate your dog with noises, wait for your pup to settle and then use your muse to quickly grab their attention for the photo.
How do I get them to be still? Before photographing your dog, let them sniff and explore the area. It's important to allow them time to acclimate to the area first. Don't ask them to sit or lay down, just let them be themselves and have a good time!
Get down low: Get down to your dog's level when photographing. getting down low shows their perspective and tells their story better.
Flip your phone upside down: Flip your phone upside down to get a different angle that will show their environment better in a different and creative way.
To treat or not to treat: This 100% depends on your dog. if your dog is unsure of the camera and the space they are in, give them treats! If your pup is more confident then I would not bring out the treats. I have found that with most dogs, once the treats are brought out the pup now switches from genuinely interacting with their human to focus on working for the treat.
How to get a dog to be still: It's less about getting them to be still, and more about making sure that their needs are met first. i always start with a little sniffari walk before taking photos, allowing your pup to adjust to the area is so beneficial. once they have settled, then i would start taking photos.