Dog's Life
Tips and Tricks on Taking Photographs that Capture Your Dog’s Spirit
By Laura Kostelny
Your dog is adorable, and that sort of star power deserves to be caught on film. With a little prep time and a few fun practice rounds, you’ll be a great pet portraitist in no time. Here are some tips to get started:
Lights, camera, action! Set your camera to a fast shutter speed so you can capture all the action. Your pup is active—and that’s what you want to share with friends and family.
Get on his level. Avoid the look of an aerial photo and get down on the ground, at eye level. This “face time” will amuse you both and you’ll capture facial features better this way.
Keep the camera handy. You never know when the perfect picture pairing is going to present itself. Turn the lens on the two of you during a lazy Sunday together or a Saturday romp at the dog park.
Reward the model. Photo shoots are fun for everyone involved, but sometimes a treat—whether a dog biscuit or a new toy—generates a better photo as you capture the delightful way she turns her head just so or the glee she expresses when presented with a new ball.
With practice, you’ll be amazed at the number of incredible photographs you amass. Ready to share the spoils with friends and family? Or to treat yourself? There’s a number of creative projects ideal for boasting about the best duo in town.
Your pet’s a card. Why not make it official? Create custom Christmas cards, thank-you notes, or change of address notifications featuring your best friend. Web sites such as Shutterfly take your digital photos to create any number of card options. The site also offers you the opportunity to create a “memory book.” Choose your pooch’s best photos and write the text. Shutterfly combines the two, binds the book, and ships it to your home. www.shutterfly.com.
Wear your feelings on your sleeve (or tie). Let’s face it, your best friend is always close to your heart. But once in a while, it might be fun to have his smiling mug on your person. Kodak Gallery makes that possible. Choose your pooch’s perfect pic to adorn a fashion-forward tote, t-shirt, or apron. Have a new addition to the family? Create an adorable onesie emblazoned with your pet’s pic. And don’t forget to give your best pal a shout-out during a stressful business meeting thanks to your doggy-decked necktie. www.kodakgallery.com.
Mark the dog days of summer. Asking you to choose the best photo of your pooch is an impossible task. Coming up with 12, though, is a bit easier. Whether you and your pup decide to go for a western theme, or you simply opt for candids, creating a personalized calendar is the best way to showcase your friendship. Sure, you could hang it at home, but why not dress up your cubicle at work, too? www.mycalendarmaker.com.
Get puzzled. Delight your jigsaw-loving friends and family with a personalized puzzle. If there’s any doubt as to who is the cutest dog ever, all bets will be settled by the time this 18 x 24 photo puzzle is pieced together. www.pugcafe.com.
