5 Pro Tips on how to take the BEST Puppy Photos

Serena Faber Nelson Founder & Pet Lifestyle Writer

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.

Great dog photos can be difficult, but awesome puppy photos can seem virtually impossible!

It is well worth the effort of trying and of persevering though – all that puppy cuteness and adorability won’t last for long, and you’ll be forever glad you captured such a wonderful part of your pup’s life forever.

Here are my Top 5 Tips for photographing your new puppy…

1. Work with Your Puppy

You can’t really ‘make’ a puppy do anything! And trying to do so could cause you frustration and annoy your puppy. You can certainly work with them though.

Watch where they go and what they do naturally so you can position yourself to capture just that photo. Draw on any training and skills that they may have developed. If they know ‘sit’ even briefly, then by all means use that to give yourself a few moments to compose and take their photo. Use a chair, sofa or other prop where a puppy will sit, evenly briefly, allowing you the opportunity to get the photo.

2. Be Fun and Engaging

As a puppy owner you have the wonderful advantage of knowing what will be fun for them and having them trust you.

Photograph them doing what it is that they love to do as a puppy. Try sounds, their favourite words (‘Walk’ is often very well known), squeakers, toys and treats to see which engages them best and get the response that you are wanting to photograph.

3. Wait for their sleepy time.

While puppies do have bursts of crazy high energy, they also sleep a lot.

Following the high energy (which can be great fun to capture in itself) they will have a period where they calm down and get very sleepy. This is a great opportunity to photograph them in all their puppy cuteness.

4. Capture them ‘pet paparazzi’ style!

Take pictures of your puppy when they are unaware and be amazed by the sweet and funny moments you capture (as well as maybe a couple of naughty ones!).

5. Keep the Camera Handy

Puppies will do the CUTEST and most unpredictable things without warning!

Having that camera close at hand and ready to go will mean that you are best able to capture some of the most entertaining antics of their young personality!

Bonus suggestion: Teach Your Puppy to become a Doggy Model!

Some dog training basics will set you and your puppy up for a lifetime of enhanced photography.

Your puppy knowing sit, drop and stay and, with time, while under distraction will be of longterm benefit.

Along with being a responsible dog parent and enhancing the bond with your puppy, it allows photo moments to be captured in a variety of locations and situation for the rest of their lives! You could even teach them some amazing tricks just because they will make fabulous photos!

AUTHOR: Kerry Martin considers pets very much part of the family. It’s for this very reason that she adores capturing all of their happiness, the heartfelt things you love most about them and genuinely celebrating their story. To see more of her work, visit Akemi Photography: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM