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Classic Dog Portraits — How I Make Them Happen.
Classic Dog Portraits — What do I mean with that phrase? I mean a pose and a portrait that with one look reflects in a positive manner the distinctive characteristics of the breed photographed. This portrait of a very handsome Viszla named Jagger which shows his strength and grace in what I believe is a very striking manner.
The question I have been asked many times is how I am able to create such a portrait. Well, it helps that I have photographed more than 1000 dogs and have a ‘tool bag’ of various noise makers and the words and sounds that I make that help keep the dog’s attention. In addition I have two very important attributes that I believe are critical. First, I have endless patience during a portrait session. Second, nothing that happens during a session i.e bathroom accidents etc is ever a problem. The only things that matter are the split seconds that I capture portraits like this one and the others that I take during a portrait session,
The one thing that I sometimes jokingly do not reveal is the assistance I get from the “wranglers.” These are the dog owners. Following my specific directions they help pose their dog or dogs. Indeed pet portraits at my studio are always a group effort. When a pet portrait session is particularly challenging my “wrangler(s)” may get a little discouraged. Part of my job is to be a “cheerleader” to tell them we can and will create portraits, that we will make them happen.This portrait you see here is proof that I am telling them the truth.
Kids and Dogs–Fun Together in a Portrait
Kids and dogs together in a portrait is always a fun challenge. One of my goals for the portrait session to be a success is for the children to have fun and that their personalities will shine thru while keeping eye contact on the camera. In addition to these two important things is the added responsibility that they need to keep control of the dogs, too.
As you can imagine there is a lot going on while portraits like this one are being made. The kids can become discouraged and want to give up. The dogs can be too active and hard to control. My duties are more than just being the photographer. It is important that I act as a cheerleader, directing and encouraging the children and also making the noises and various sounds that keep the dogs attention and focus.
I promise you a session like the one that produced this portrait was a high energy, fast paced bundle of excitement.
A Cute Pet Portrait–Sometime It Justs Happens!
Cute pet portraits, one can never predict when dogs are going to do something that is cute and charming like the little one in this portrait–but when it happens, it sure is fun to take these portraits. It is important to take these portraits quickly because as quickly as they happen they can be over in a flash (no pun intended). These portraits always are crowd pleasers and are part of the portraits that my clients happily order, for as we all know, loving dog parents sure love their dogs!
Like I mentioned above, this type of pose just happens when it happens, there is no way to encourage it, However, when it does happen and while I am taking the portraits I don’t do anything rashly to inadvertently cause the dogs to change their pose, that will happen soon enough on its own
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