Studio shoots with dogs are a different beast than available light photoshoots. There are many more factors that need to be controlled by the photographer, and there is much less space to do it in. I will use my recent shoot with the painfully cute and happy Brewster to illustrate some things to keep in mind for studio dog portrait sessions.

Keep the lighting simple.

Having an overcomplicated lighting setup for a dog photoshoot is not necessarily the best idea. While initially a 6 light setup with 2 lights on the background, 2 rim lights, a main light, and a fill light may seem like a good idea at first, it quickly becomes a burden when the dog actually, you know, moves. To start, it is much easier (and still very appealing) to use a simple one or two light setup. Use big modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, etc.) to light up a very large area of the studio. This will ensure that even when the dog is moving from place to place, the light from the strobe will still hit the dog. Once you have spent more time with the dog and have a few great shots on the memory card, you can modify the lighting setup to incorporate some extra features.

Meet the dog before the shoot.

Studios need to be more controlled environments than traditional outdoor photoshoots. There is a great deal of equipment to manage and take care of, and you therefore need to know everything you can about the dog and its energy level. Is there a specific toy that is irresistible to him? If so, use this toy to command his attention. Is he afraid of noise? Make sure to keep the studio quiet and free from distractions. If you get to know the dog’s personality, the photoshoot will be much easier.

Use simple backdrops.

Dogs are very interesting creatures on their own, so I tend to shy away from elaborate or distracting backgrounds. Solid colored backgrounds work very well with dogs, and seamless white backdrops are also very appealing. This one is more personal preference, but it also prevents you from needing to rearrange the dog repeatedly throughout the shoot, as the background does not differ from place to place.

Take LOTS of breaks.

Dogs are like furry little kids who never learn to talk. They get bored and moody if they are doing something they don’t want to do. Give them CONSTANT breaks during the photoshoot so they can wander around and do something that they want to do (which is hopefully not peeing on extension cords or anything like that). Let them disengage their little goofy brains.

Bring treats. OK now bring more of them.

Bring a billion treats. Make sure they are meaty and smelly. Give them to the dog constantly, even when it isn’t paying attention. Make sure the dog comes to know you as either the “Treat Guy” or “Treat Lady”. A dog who thinks you are the treat guy will always look at you, which means it’ll also be looking at the camera.

Don’t limit yourself to traditional studio lenses.

When people think of lenses for studio use, they normally think of telephoto portrait lenses like the 85mm or the 70-200mm. Do not be afraid to go wide angle for dog photoshoots. Portraits shot with wide lenses provide distortion which makes the dog’s nose look bigger than it actually is. Some people don’t like this look but I adore it. It is silly and fun. Give it a shot, you might be surprised!