How to Find Good Light for Dog Photography (and why I’m always looking up)
One of the most common complaints I hear from dog photographers is that their forest photos just aren’t working. The location looks beautiful. But the dog looks flat, the eyes look dark, and no amount of editing seems to fix it. The reason is almost always overhead. Literally. And it’s something that took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out. When I arrive somewhere
Composition in Pet Photography: More Than Rule of Thirds
Most photographers learn composition through rules. The rule of thirds, golden ratio, leading lines. Framing. Symmetry. Giving the dog space to look into (this is one of my favourites!). Those are helpful starting points. But if you’ve been photographing dogs for a while, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: you can follow all the “rules” and still end up with an image that feels… off. Pretty,
Learn to See: How to Stop Guessing and Start Seeing Better Pet Photos
If you want to improve your pet photography, you have to learn how to critique photos. Yours, other people’s… So many people ask me: “Why can’t I create photos like I see on social media?”… And part of the answer is you aren’t thinking about what you’re actually seeing. Most people get so caught up in how xyz photographer has edited, that they’re blind to everything else
How to Simplify Your Pet Photography Editing (And Stop the Overwhelm)
If you have ever opened a photo in Lightroom and felt an immediate sense of dread… you are not alone. Pet photography editing can be one of the most overwhelming parts of the creative process. We are told we need “pop,” we are told we need “the perfect preset,” and we’re given about a thousand different sliders to play with. For many photographers—especially those of
How to Price Pet Photography: A Framework for New Businesses
Deciding how to price pet photography is one of those tasks that can keep you up at night. You want to be “fair,” you want to be “affordable,” but you also realize that if you don’t make a profit, you won’t have a business for very long. If you’ve been searching for a pet photography pricing guide and feeling overwhelmed by the “correct” way to
How to Photograph Any Dog — Big, Small, Fluffy, Curly, or Chaotic
“Emily, how do I photograph [insert specific dog type here]?” Fluffy dogs. Tiny dogs. Giant dogs. Curly coats. Shiny black, glowing white, brindled, spotted, scruffy or smooth. Big, old, and everything in between. You name it, I’ve been asked how to photograph it. And here’s the simple, yet somewhat frustrating, truth: I don’t do anything radically different for any of them. There’s no secret setting
Going Home: Pet Photography in Australia
I still call Australia home. Even though I never quite felt like I belonged there… even though it’s been seven years since I left. Six since I was last there. It’s strange to return now, not just as someone visiting family, but as a photographer. As an educator. As someone who once took blurry, badly lit photos in my backyard and on our hikes and
Photographing Dogs Who Won’t Stay Still: Real-Life Tips That Work
Trying to photograph a dog who won’t sit, stay, or stop moving? You’re not alone. Whether it’s a zoomy puppy, an untrained rescue, or a wiggly senior who’s gone blind and deaf, many photographers struggle to get good photos of dogs who won’t stay still. Here’s the truth: There’s no magic solution. There are only three real options when working with dogs who won’t stay
How to Take Photos of Black Dogs
Updated July 17 2025 Photographing black dogs are a challenge for many beginner and aspiring professional photographers – but they don’t have to be! Here’s the secret: black dogs aren’t actually hard to photograph! In fact, I find them easier than white or coloured dogs. Once you understand how to use light, exposure, and a few simple editing tricks, you’ll see there’s no “trick” to
Are You Overlooking These Dog Safety Mistakes in Photography?
As pet photographers, we put so much thought into choosing the perfect location, light, and angles to create stunning dog portraits. But how often do we stop to consider the safety and comfort of our dog models? ? Are you unknowingly pushing dogs too hard during photoshoots? If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, this post is for you:✔ “Should I ask dogs
Quick & Magical Christmas Pet Photo Tutorial!
Running a bit behind on getting those Christmas pet photos organized? I have a super quick, easy, and kind of magical solution that you can create using just your phone, a cardboard box, and a lighting panel or fairy lights. The best part? You can set this up in about 5 minutes and create something really special! What You’ll Need The Basic Setup The magic
5 Ways to Improve Your Pet Photography
Looking to improve your pet photography? Let’s chat! Here are 5 ways that can really help, from practical workshops to simple tips you can start today.
