Dog Potrait Advice

[Bullysrus]

Hi All,

I want to concentrate my Photography on dog potraits, some im after any advice or tips.

Also wondered what lens you all used in the studio when doing dog potraits.

I know this isnt going to be easy, but i want to give it ago.

As above any help or advice welcome.

And thanks in advance.

 

[realspeed]

Why stick with doing dog photos in a studio? I rather think dog and pet owners in general would much rather you took the photos on their own property.

That way the dog/pet is more relaxed and easier to photograph. In a studio you might well find the dog giving out a scared look which isn't great.

The call for dog portraits isn't that great, I should know as I own a boarding kennels and offer the same
service.

Yes a couple out of focus I know but look at the expressions to get my point across . These were for my own amusement nothing else so no comments please on them. They wern't even shown to the owners

Last 3 my own pets no longer with us but expressions are so so important

 

[markyboy.1967]

I'm not using a studio but I go to owners etc with my lights. I'm using the 24-70 AFS which suits my needs as often I have to del with little space. When outside I mostly use the 70-200 VR. I also love the 85f1.8g for the detail shots to throw parts in and out of focus.

 

[Bullysrus]

Why stick with doing dog photos in a studio? I rather think dog and pet owners in general would much rather you took the photos on their own property.

That way the dog/pet is more relaxed and easier to photograph. In a studio you might well find the dog giving out a scared look which isn't great.

The call for dog portraits isn't that great, I should know as I own a boarding kennels and offer the same
service.

Yes a couple out of focus I know but look at the expressions to get my point across . These were for my own amusement nothing else so no comments please on them
Realspeed

Thanks

We are into Agility and Dog Showing, also my wife judges and I've been asked by so many people if I could do portraits.

So thought why not

 

[Bullysrus]

I'm not using a studio but I go to owners etc with my lights. I'm using the 24-70 AFS which suits my needs as often I have to del with little space. When outside I mostly use the 70-200 VR. I also love the 85f1.8g for the detail shots to throw parts in and out of focus.

Thanks for the advice

 

[markyboy.1967]

Thanks

We are into Agility and Dog Showing, also my wife judges and I've been asked by so many people if I could do portraits.

So thought why not

If your into dog showing then you will know how much show dog owners need their dog standing perfectly and that can take time, the difference between ears fully forward or part forward or a paw turned slightly out wards can make a massive difference.

 

[tezmed]

toy dogs are easier to shoot!!!

they dont look the wrong way, run around and chew equipment....


i've never done it but i'l imagine its not gonna be easy to take a pic of any animal in a studio.....

 

[realspeed]

Tony

I suspect the photos they want more are of the dogs doing agility. When we owned Afghan hounds, we took them racing (for fun not money) and had the same thing, can we have a photo? was the question. What they wanted in actual fact was shots of the dogs running and I think it would be the same in agility, the dogs going over jumps etc more than portraits.

something like this I was being asked for

Not easy with a dog running full tilt to get a closeup





The best tip I can give is get down to dog height for the picture not from standing position. of course you know how and where you want to take the pictures but in a studio you are really limiting yourself to what people want.

If shooting at agility or similar take a portable printer and laptop and print while owners are interested, as soon as the activity is over you basically have lost the potential to strike while the iron is hot so to speak.

Just one other point worth a mention, if the activity is on "private" ground make sure there is no restrictions by the owners of the area the activity is in, as to taking photos for profit there might well be a photographer with sole right to take commercial photos and paid the grounds owner to do so

Hope this is of some help

 

[Bullysrus]

Thanks for all the advice

I have had several people at Agility and other shows if I do potraits.

Anyway with my experience from shows which include coming 3rd at crufts I'm hoping I can make a good go at it in my Studio.

Which if a dog can deal with dog shows they can deal with a studio

Anyway all points taken on board, and I have plenty of owners lined up for trial shots .

So fingers crossed

 

[realspeed]

Good luck in your project hope it works.

Dog showing has been a large part of our lives for the past 40 odd years and getting qualified and showing at Crufts,,even if you get place or not, is a fantastic experience.

Realspeed

 

[Bullysrus]

Good luck in your project hope it works.

Dog showing has been a large part of our lives for the past 40 odd years and getting qualified and showing at Crufts,,even if you get place or not, is a fantastic experience.

Realspeed

Totally agree, I've never had an experience like it.

We came 3rd in overall in our class for French Bulldogs

Thanks