Dog Photography in the Summertime - Puppy Tales
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Dog Photography in the Summertime

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Summer – it’s the perfect time for dog photography!

Your dog, a camera, lots of summertime sunshine and a whole lot of fun!

Summer gives us gorgeous long days, weather that encourages us to head outdoors, summer events and a fabulous opportunity to take great dog photography! It’s also the perfect chance to spend some quality time with your best friend.

Enjoy our inspiration for what to photograph with your dog in the summer and tips for capturing great photos.

* Tell the Story of Summer with Your Dog

Does that mean jumping the waves at the beach, riding in the car with the window open or top down, evening walks in the park or camping with the family. Turn these moments into special photos that capture the summer mood of your dog.

Dog playing on their beach with their owner

* Location, location, location!

Picking a great summer location can really add to the feel of your dog photos. The perfect location for capturing your dog in summer would have to be your nearby dog friendly beach. Capture them racing through the water or the giant shake that comes after their swim.

Japanese Spitz playing at the Beach

* Capture what your Dog loves

If your dog has an old, torn sofa where they sleep away their hot summery afternoons then taking their photo here is going to give wonderful memories of your pooches nature and favourite things.

Pug playing at the beach in summer

* Summer is for running free whenever the opportunity presents itself

If your dog loves to run, then space where they can do just that will be fabulous in the photos. Try to get in as close as you can whilst they are running, either with your zoom or your legs. Otherwise your fast moving dog could be a tiny running dot in your photos.

Labrador racing along the beach

* Maximise the colour

Bright blue sky, white fluffy clouds, golden sunsets, aqua water, golden sand and your dog in the midst of it all. To help maximise your colour saturation, use a lens hood or shade your camera with your hand (making sure its out of the frame). This reduces the risk of flare which lowers image contrast and reduces colour saturation.

American Staffy Dog Photography in the Summer

* Lighting

There is lots of bright light and daylight hours in summer, allowing you to leave the flash turned off and work with natural lighting for gorgeous photos. If photographing in the middle of the day look for shaded areas – here you will find more flattering even light, avoid the harsh midday shadows and your dog will be more comfortable.

In Summer photograph dogs in open shade

* Use the Flash

When photographing your dog into the sun in the brightest part of the day, all of the light is coming from the same direction. This will mean that your dogs face will be in shadow. Use the fill in flash setting on your camera to even out the lighting and colours in the photo.

Kelpie in the gorgeous afternoon glow of summer

* Timing!

Summer can be hot! I love to wait for the gorgeous evening glow of the Australian long summer days! It will keep your dog happier and the lighting is gorgeous for dog photography.

Dog and owner walking along the Beach at Sunset

* Avoid the Squints

Like humans, dogs will squint or blink when they are looking directly into the sun. Wait until a cloud obscures the sun, look for the shade or later in the day photograph your dog backlit (into the sun).

* Eliminate distraction

A hot day at the beach or a run in your favourite park can be the idea of many people. Pay attention to what is going on in the background of your photo, as it can be easy to overlook things when you’re focussing on your dog. If you see distracting elements – other people and dogs, towels, beach umbrellas, shoes, rubbish, etc that will take away from your main subject – then pause for a second to remove them or change your angle or perspective to eliminate them from view.

Border Collie in gorgeous Summer Sunset

* Just have fun!

Dogs don’t always understand exactly what we are wanting them to do, particularly when its something new for a photos. If however you keep it fun, the photos will reflect the wonderful times you are having with your dog and their beautiful happy nature.\

If you’ve some great summertime dog photography, feel free to share in the comments!  You know we love to meet your furkids!

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