.png)
'My dog would never sit still long enough for photos like that' and 'my dog can't be off-lead outdoors, their recall isn't the best' are two concerns that I hear the most when dog owners want some great photos of their favourite furry friend. I wanted to write a quick little blog about my experiences over the last few years as a dog photographer, taking photos outdoors, around Bristol and its surrounding areas and why you definitely don't need a perfectly trained pooch to get some lovely photos. Having a dog that follows it's owners every command is fantastic and can certainly make the session a lot simpler, however it's definitely not essential. I've taken photos of puppies that haven't quite grasped the skill of sit or stay, dogs that have an abundance of energy and feel the need to say hello to every dog or human they see (so they need to remain on a lead) and even older rescue dogs that are blind, deaf or even both! Whatever the situation I always work out an approach that takes the dogs quirks and needs into consideration and most of all, ensure a safe environment for the dogs and their owners. Sometimes the safest and easiest way to run the session is to have the dog on a lead, in-fact the majority of my pet portrait sessions are run this way. However, having a long, brightly coloured lead floating behind the dog's head can cause a bit of distraction in what could otherwise be a fantastic photo. Luckily this is where a bit of Photoshop 'magic' comes in very handy. I've been using Photoshop for over 17 years (that makes me feel old) and during that time I have learnt many skills that enhances my photographs, gives me my own unique style and also helps me to make things disappear! Below I've included a number of 'before and after' shots showing exactly what can be achieved during my photo sessions and the editing process I go through afterwards.
So if you've been wanting some professional dog photographs of your favourite pooch but have been worried about any of the above or anything else, then please get in touch and we can discuss a solution for capturing some brilliant photos that you'll cherish forever.
Would you like to have some fantastic photos taken of your own dog/s? Get in touch today to find out how I can help!