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6 Tips for Perfect Puppy Photoshoots

Two curly doodle puppies sit in the grass with inquisitive expressions.

It’s National Puppy Day and we are here for it. Give us all the giant feet, the clumsy walks, and the wiggly butts! We’ve rounded up a handful of our favorite Dallas-Fort Worth puppy photoshoots so cute you can almost smell the PUPPY BREATH.

Dallas Puppy Portraits

As a professional pet photographer, we know puppies can be a fun and challenging task. Capturing their playful and adorable personalities requires a bit of patience, preparation, and creativity. Here are some tips and tricks to help you take stunning photos of puppies. Looking for a Dallas pet photographer to create professional portraits at this fleeting stage? Contact us to design your session!

Get down to their level

One of the most important things to remember when photographing puppies is to get down to their level. Puppies are small and low to the ground, so if you shoot from above, you will miss out on their cuteness and charm. Try to kneel or lie down on the ground to get at their level. This way, you will capture their unique perspective and make the photo more engaging.

Large Saint Bernard doodle puppy looks down at a small terrier mix puppy.

Big and small, we love them all. Sully the Saint Berdoodle and Edie the terrier mix prove puppyhood is perfection in all shapes and sizes. By kneeling down we were able to emphasize the size difference between these puppies in their portrait.

Choose a simple background

When it comes to backgrounds, simplicity is key. You want the focus to be on the puppies and not the clutter behind them. A plain wall, a grassy field, or a neutral-colored blanket can make the perfect backdrop for your photos. Keep it simple and let the puppies be the star of the show.

Man with tattoo on his arm holds a small doodle puppy for a portrait on a brown background.

Our Dallas dog photography studio offers a clean and safe space for photographing young puppies. We offer a variety of bright-colored and neutral backdrops

African American woman laughs as her brindle French Bulldog puppy kisses her chin.

Snix the French Bulldog puppy was born to be in front of the camera. His mom booked his puppy portrait session before she even brought him home!

Balance natural and added light

Haute Dog Pet Photography uses natural light and off-camera flash in our pet portraits. Balancing the two allows us to expose the beautiful sky and scenery while adding light on the puppy so it is perfectly lit and can face away from the sun, like this doodle puppy at Lakeside Park in Highland Park. This roly-poly puppy photo earned us a Dog Photographer of the Year award from The Kennel Club!

Doodle puppy rolls on a blanket at Lakeside Park in Dallas, TX.

Be patient when photographing puppies

Puppies have a lot of energy and can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to be patient when photographing them. Don’t expect to get the perfect shot in the first few minutes. Give them time to get comfortable in front of the camera and allow them to be themselves. You may need to take many photos to get the one that you want, but it will be worth it in the end.

Two cream doodle puppies walk in unison on a purple backdrop.
Golden Retriever puppy smiles on the side of Lake Lewisville.
German Shepherd puppy with one ear up and one ear down lays in front of the buildings at SMU in Dallas, TX.
Happy doodle puppy on the edge of Grapevine Lake in Flower Mound.
Cocker Spaniel puppies sit at their owners feet.
Puppy peers down from a ledge at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens.
Cane Corso puppy sitting in front of the chapel at Adriatica Village in McKinney, TX.

Take candid photos of the puppies

Some of the best puppy photos are candid shots that capture their unique personalities and behaviors. Don’t be afraid to snap away while they’re playing or napping. You may be surprised at the moments you capture.

Irish Wolfhound puppy sitting in a blue armchair.

We love puppy photo sessions for documenting goofy traits like “ear hats” and can’t wait for Irish Wolfhound puppy Blue’s next session to put him back in this chair to compare how much he’s grown! We may be a little bias as Blue gave us all the feels remembering this stage with our own Wolfhound puppy, Fletcher.

Use treats and toys to get puppies attention

Puppies can be easily distracted, so it’s essential to keep their attention while you photograph them. Use treats and toys to help them stay still and focused. Squeaky toys and treats can make the perfect attention-grabbers and create some great photo opportunities.

Wheaten Terrier puppies sitting on the edge of Grapevine Lake at Murrell Park.

Littermates Teddy and Jo were a blast and showed off the different coat styles of the Wheaten Terrier breed. In true puppy fashion, they decided to look in opposite directions while we were photographing them. Our squeaky noises were useful in focusing their attention back to the camera.

National Puppy Day

National Puppy Day is observed March 23rd annually to celebrate puppies and promote adoption. Check out our work providing personality-filled pet photography to Doodle Rock Rescue in an effort to help their adoptable dogs, then contact us for a session with the special pups in your life!

Photographing puppies can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these tips and tricks, you can capture their cuteness and charm in stunning photos that you will cherish for years to come. Contact us for your puppy photoshoot today!

BEHIND THE LENS

Hi, I'm  Robyn.

I began photographing pets while attempting to create a piece of my heart dog that would live forever. Jake passed in 2022, but his legacy is in every photo I create for a client. Now our mission is to make your pets live forever through personality-packed portraits.

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You'll hear from me right away unless I'm being smothered by a giant fluffy dog. 

- Robyn