Doggy photography 101: How to get awesome and unique pictures of your pooch

What dog lover doesn't enjoy showing off pictures of their pooch? If your like most pet owners, you may like showing off your furry friend but think that the only way to get a really awesome picture of your pooch would be to shell out some cash and get professional pictures taken. Picture quality can depend on a lot of factors, and while you may not have an expensive camera and years of practice, it's still possibly to take unique photos of your dog (or other type of pet) and have a lot of fun in the process!

1. Let your pet express his/her personality: Who whats 1,000 different photos of their dog sitting around in a similar position? Your pup may be adorable even when he is just sitting around, but one of the things we love about our dogs is their personalities! So why not try to capture them in our photos? If your dog is playful, turn your photo shoot into a play session. With your dog constantly moving around it may take longer to get that perfect shot, but it will be well worth it when you do! Bring your pet to his/her favorite place to take photos, or take pictures of them doing some of their favorite activities. Think about some of your dog's personality traits that make him who he is, and then try to capture that on camera! The result should show everyone not only how adorable your dog is, but tell them a bit about who your dog is.
2. More technical tips: Pay attention to lighting. Natural lighting is best because using a flash can scare some pets as well as alter some of the colors in your photographs. When a flash is used it often times gives pets red eyes and even when it doesn't, may take away some of the natural beauty of your pet's eyes and fur. Don't drown out your pet by using too many props or taking photos in too busy of a location. Your subject should always be the focus of your pictures. Sometimes less is more. When showing off your pictures, you want to draw people's eye towards your pet and not busy looking at props or backgrounds.
3. Get down on your pet's level: If you have a small dog, yes this may mean kneeling or sitting down. Get on your pet's level. Try to view the world as they see it and eliminate some of the human perspective.
4. Use treats: There's no shame in using treats or toys to try to get that perfect shot. Treats or a special toy may help to get your pet excited and happy, great moods to be in while getting your picture taken. Another added benefit is that it will help teach your pet that getting his/her photo taken is a good thing!
5. Be patient: It can take a lot of bad photos to finally get the perfect one. Just keep trying and remain patient. This is where having a digital camera can be a really good thing, since you can just sort through your pictures and get rid of the ones you don't like later.
6. Don't be afraid to experiment: Most original people don't get that way without a bit of experimenting, and the same can be said for getting a unique photograph. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Some things may work out, and some may not, but at the end of the day at least you are trying. As long as you have plenty of patience and treats on hand, your pet shouldn't mind going along for the ride.
7. Have fun: Most importantly, have fun! Photography can be a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Some of the best pet photos are the ones of them playing and having fun during a photo session. Try not to worry too much about your results. If you don't like your pictures, you can always try again another time. Even if you don't get that perfect photo, no time is wasted when you're spending it having fun with your best friend!