
Pet Photography
5 Tips for Photographing Puppies
Expert tips on how to get the perfect puppy photo. Every time.
Copy: Serena Faber-Nelson & Lauren Dobish
Photography: Lauren Dobish Photography

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.
Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.
Anyone who’s ever embarked on the task of photographing puppies knows it’s no easy feat!
These squiggling, wriggling balls of fluff move a mile a minute, have no training, and are distracted by everything. Because you know, they’re puppies.
But with these expert tips, you’ll be capturing the cutest puppy photos you’ll be sharing with everyone for years to come (guaranteed to get some major double taps on Instagram!)
P.S. And be sure to check out our 6 Tips to Take the Best Photos of your Dog at Home!
1. Get Them Sleepy
Make sure the puppies are a little sleepy when you start to photograph them, because once they’re awake, they are hard to get to sit still!
Puppies moving around end up a blur in your camera’s viewfinder… so play with them, tire them out and when they start to slow down pick up your camera.
2. Bring Props
Use props like baskets, crates, benches, etc to keep the puppies contained in one area.
They are much easier to capture when then are confined in one place rather than chasing them all around.
As an added bonus, puppies in basket? Cuteness guaranteed.
3. Noises Get Attention
Try to make all different kinds of noises to get the puppies’ attention! They are so curious when they hear a new noise, so when they hear a new noise coming from you, there is a better chance they will look at the camera.
If you’re super prepared, have squeakers, funny whistles and/or party kazoos on hand.
That way you’ll never run out of new noises to capture their attention.
4. Stay Close
If the puppies have freedom to roam, follow them closely!
After they run around, puppies almost always take a break to lay down when they get tired, and that’s when you want take advantage of the photo opportunity. Tired puppies are the best puppies to photograph.
5. Be Patient
Dog photography isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to capture active, excited puppies!
Make sure to be patient and when you least expect it, you’re going to capture the most perfect portrait.
Bonus Tip!
Don’t forget to get some shots of mama (or papa) dog if they are available.
They deserve some shots for bringing these little pups into the world, and the photos will be treasured keepsakes for years to come.
CREDITS
These are all of the wonderful vendors involved with bringing this puppy feature to life!
Photography: Lauren Dobish Photography
Dog Scarves, Bow Ties and Bows: Tails and Sails
Floral Crowns: Central Square Florist
Puppies: Laursans
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi! I’m Lauren, a Wedding and Dog Photographer based in Boston, MA. I’m originally from Pennsylvania, went to college in Maine (Yeah Bates College!), and now call Boston my home. I moved here 4 years ago to live with my best friends even though I didn’t have a job and I’m so glad I did because I’ve grown to love this city more than I ever could’ve imagined! My other passion in life is teaching and I currently work in Special Education at a local high school. Teaching and photography have allowed me to connect with so many incredible people and I hope I will get the chance to meet you too!
Pretty Fluffy is the ultimate lifestyle destination for dog lovers. Discover the best designer dog brands and emerging small pet businesses, the latest dog accessories, healthy dog treat recipes, dog training tips and more. Thank you for being part of our dog-loving community!
Comments (1)