How to Get a Great Portrait of a Dog Who Won't Sit Still

If you think your dog is too wild to photograph, you're in good company. Plenty of owners worry about the same things. She won't sit. He won't look at the camera. She'll run off the second the leash comes off. The good news is that none of that is a problem for a dog photographer. Most of it is the job.

Stop asking for the perfect sit

A dog who is posed is a dog who is being told what to do. A dog who is being herself is the portrait you'll hang on the wall. The best frames usually come from motion, from a tilted head, from the half second after a sound catches her ear. If your dog can't sit still, that's a clue about who she is. Her portrait should show it.

Robert's photography page opens with a question most dog people will recognize: "Do you ever look at your dog and think: This is just the most perfect thing that I have ever seen in my entire life?" That feeling doesn't come from a flawless sit. It comes from the way she leaps for a ball, or leans on your leg.

What the FAQ says about leashes and training

One of the questions on the Born To Run SF photography page is the one owners are most nervous about. "What if my dog isn't trained and needs to stay on a leash?" Robert's answer: "With patience, persistence and Photoshop, anything is achievable."

That's a calm answer to a question that makes people anxious. A leash can be removed from a finished image. A dog who isn't trained is still a dog with a personality. Patience means he isn't in a rush. Persistence means the session keeps going until the moment shows up. You don't have to teach your dog tricks before the shoot.

Practical things you can do before the session

You can't control your dog's mood, but you can stack the odds. These are general habits that tend to help any portrait session:

• Walk or play with your dog beforehand so the first burst of energy is already spent.
• Skip a big meal right before the shoot, and bring small treats she loves.
• Brush her coat and wipe her eyes and muzzle the day of.
• Bring a favorite toy or squeaker. A familiar sound pulls her gaze toward the camera.
• Bring any collar or bandana she looks great in, and a plain one as backup.
• Stay relaxed. Dogs read your tension, and a calm owner helps the whole session.

What the photographer does on the day

A skilled dog photographer works at the dog's level, literally. Lower the camera to eye height and the portrait feels intimate. Shoot from above and she looks small. Watch the light, too. Soft light flatters a coat, and harsh light flattens it. Watch the background. A clean background keeps the eye on the dog.

Then comes the waiting. Dogs go through cycles of excitement, distraction and calm, and the frames you want often arrive when the energy settles for a moment. That's where patience pays off. A rushed session gets a rushed dog. A relaxed session gets the look that makes you say, "That's her."

Clients describe it in their own words. Ric H called Robert "a dog whisperer with a camera" and said his dog Mattie loved him. Zach C wrote about "his talent, patience, and eye for capturing their personalities," and called the photos ones they will "cherish forever." Both point to the same thing: the dog felt at ease.

Can I be in the photos too?

Yes. It's another question on the FAQ, and the answer is short: "Absolutely!" Many owners hold back because they don't want to be photographed. Think about it from the wall's point of view, though. A portrait with you and your dog together is a record of the bond, which is exactly what most people are trying to keep.

If you're camera-shy, say so. A photographer who is used to working with nervous dogs is also used to nervous people.

Where the session happens

Another FAQ answer is about location: "The studio is in Napa and can also be mobile. Location work can be anywhere in the SF Bay area, and beyond." A dog who gets distracted outdoors may do better in a studio. A dog who loves open space may be happiest on a beach. We cover how to choose in a separate post on settings.

Start with a conversation

Robert's page ends with an invitation: "I want to meet your dog." That's the right first step. Tell him what she's like on her best day and her worst. Pricing, products and procedure start with that conversation, in his own words: "For more info on pricing, products and procedure feel free to contact me."

To talk about your dog, call Robert at 415.516.9541, or see the portfolio and the full FAQ at /san-francisco-bay-area-dog-photography.