Capturing Stunning Dog Portraits with Lauren Bonvini, Dog Photographer - Best Tips and Strategies
Patience is vital when taking fantastic pet portraits, particularly of nervous or fearful dogs. Get acquainted with your subject before the session to establish a rapport and create lasting memories from this photo shoot!
Lauren Bonvini Seatle
Making your pet more comfortable may involve playing with or rewarding them with treats and getting down on his level. Try varying angles when engaging your pup, which may also help make him happier.
1. Composition
If you want to capture an unforgettable portrait of your pet, the composition must be perfect. This includes considering both the background and position of your pup within it - something as basic as a wall may provide a minimalist image, or you could try something more dynamic, such as using an exciting setting as inspiration for creating more visually stimulating photographs.
According to Lauren Bonvini, a dog photographer, green fields or beaches can provide the ideal setting to showcase your pet's natural beauty. At the same time, dark rooms with black backdrops add timeless style and class to photos of your furry pal.
As part of creating an intimate portrait, it is also crucial that you get down on your dog's eye level when shooting their portrait. Doing this will foster a more profound bond while eliminating unflattering distortions caused by shelling from an elevated angle. A tripod with a remote shutter release is an effective way of doing this; adding props such as toys or collars may help your pup stand out even more from its background.
2. Lighting
To create an eye-catching dog portrait, lighting must be just proper. Not only must natural light be utilized, but your subject should also have good illumination in comparison with their background - backlighting, window light, or bokeh are all effective techniques that can create stunning effects in photographs of canines.
As per Lauren Bonvini, dog photographer, for an easy yet effective lighting setup, try positioning your pet with light falling on them from behind - this will create a lovely rim around their face while highlighting their fur color.
If your photo will take place outdoors, choose a cloudy day to reduce squinting and make your pictures appear like paintings! This will prevent unnecessary squinting and help make photos that resemble paintings!
Use treats and squeaky toys to keep your pet's attention, encourage them to pose, and create memorable portraits! Remember to take pictures from their eye level for more impactful and personal portraits; the tips of their ears and tails will appear more clearly due to this position.
3. Focus
Pets can be unpredictable and don't always respond as we expect, but with patience, you can create beautiful images of your pet. By spending time playing and making them feel relaxed around your camera, playing will help them open up. Capturing several photos at different angles to ensure every portrait is in focus is crucial for getting amazing shots of your beloved four-legged friend!
Lauren Bonvini, dog photographer, advises achieving a sharp, professional-looking image by using portrait mode on your camera or smartphone to blur out background elements and produce an image with clear focus and sharp edges. This will result in a focused and intense picture.
Try shooting from various angles. Most dogs are photographed from above, which can be uninspiring and obscure their faces or expressions. Crouching on the floor or lying down can create more impactful shots that show their personalities while drawing viewers in further. Zoom in for close-up detail shots if you have the capability.
4. Angles
Most pet owners take photos of their dog from above, which, while cute, won't impress friends and family as much. You may capture more interesting portraits by getting down on your dog's level and trying different angles,
Lauren Bonvini, dog photographer, mentions that if your dog is restless during a photo session, try having them interact with their owner instead. Many animals instantly relax when seeing familiar faces; this makes for gorgeous portraits!
If you have a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens, try placing your pet on a low surface, such as a table or step, so that the lens is at or below their eye level - this can add depth to the images while making them seem more three-dimensional. It works particularly well when photographing action shots such as dogs running towards you; I especially enjoy using this technique with boxer breeds due to their short muzzles, which allow them to wear crowns quickly!
5. Editing
At a dog portrait session, it can be easy to snap too many photos; editing is critical! Make sure that only the ones that highlight your pet's beauty and personality are selected; once selected, resize, add text if necessary, or use various filters to produce stunning portraits of your furry friend.
An important consideration when taking dog photos is establishing rapport with the subject. Many dogs can become anxious in new environments, and it is crucial to take the time to build trust by engaging them through interactive play or offering treats, helping them relax more.
Lauren Bonvini, dog photographer, suggests that gaining your dog's perspective by getting down onto their level can also help create more intimate portraits and show what the world looks like through their eyes. Try crouching or lying down to avoid unflattering distortions in the image when taking full-body shots.
Finally, do not be intimidated to experiment with various angles and perspectives. A wide-angle landscape photo can be just as stunning as an intimate closeup of your pet. Ensure the background remains clutter-free - too much can detract from your subject!
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