Telling your Animal’s story

Every dog has a story and a skilled photographic artist can weave a narrative with images capturing the true spirit of an animal through their lens. This can be accomplished with knowledge and understanding of the animal. Watching for cues such as a happy wagging of the tail, stressed with panting, timid, or scared with the ears back will determine how the how the story will be told. Dogs are great at finding joy in the simplest of things, catching a ball, a treat, and just laying down in the moment. The action to capture the uniqueness can happen in two ways, with a flash or on a camera with a very fast shutter speed.

The environment can play a key role in the success of the story you are wanting to tell. A one-on-one situation with very little to no distractions lends itself to the animal being more relaxed and more likely to cooperate. The controlled environment of a studio for example can lead to a fun-filled session by introducing all their favorite things, treats, toys and even a little peanut butter can go a long way to achieving what you want. If the desire is for a calmer, quieter, more cooperative dog, then its best to leave the treats and toys out of the session.

The type of breed can work well in conjunction with the environment to tell a story of the animal. For example, if the breed loves water such as the Labrador Retriever, allowing the dog to run and play in the water or pose by a lake can create some amazing images. Dogs in urban environments like the French Bulldog or Dachshund who are accustomed to city life can be captured strolling through parks and showing off their social skills. Seeking out your favorite location such as an iconic bridge, a popular street, or the city landscape in the background can help to tell a story that fits well with the breed of dog.

Time and patience are essential when it comes to animals. Giving the animal time, sometimes up to twenty minutes before starting a session will help to settle them down. Waiting for the right moment to capture different cues and reactions will create many different opportunities to do so, watching for the ears to perk up, waiting for them to swallow so you capture them with their mouth closed, waiting for them to relax all will help capture their personalities. Sometimes a dog will never relax, and the photographer must come up with unique ways to get the animals attention, such as a noise maker or a creative distraction.

The environment, type of breed and the patience of the artist, all contribute to the visual creation that celebrates the uniqueness of the animal. Every animal has a story to tell, and every pet owner loves to share the story. Let’s create a story that will live on in your home and heart forever.