Are you nervous about being in front of the camera during a pet and owner photo shoot with your dog? Or maybe you’re a professional pet photographer who’s looking to add more variety to their sessions. While every dog and every session is different, here are some tried and true poses, ideas, and prompts that have been client favorites for capturing natural, genuine expressions resulting in stunning portraits with your dog.
1.) Puppy Kisses
A hound dog licks his owners face during a pet and person photo shoot in Columbus, Ohio
This pose is an instant favorite for most dog owners. Not only can I capture the love and unique bond you share with your dog, but it always ends up with real smiles and laughter.
Pet photographer’s pro-tip: Want to do this shot but your dog is not a “kisser”? Try putting a tiny little dab of spray cheese on your cheek. Works like a charm to get your dog to lick your face.
2.) Returning the Favor
A family loves on their dog during an end of life Pet Photography session in the winter in Gahanna, Ohio
If you get a photo of your dog giving you a kiss, then it’s only right to return the favor! This posing prompt gives us a great opportunity to capture meaningful, candid-feeling shots.
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: I find kissing the top of the dog’s head or their cheek lets me get a clear view of both faces. Kissing the top of the dog’s head (where the hair is shortest) is critical for fluffy dogs whose long hair would otherwise hide the owner’s face.
3.) Follow Me
A Jack Russell Terrier looks up at his owner while they walk together on a gravel path during a dog and owner photo shoot in Westerville, Ohio | © Holly Hildreth Photography
Capture the loyalty your pup has to you and your family with this pose. You can include faces or shoot tight like this photo so you only see legs, so it is great for those who many be a little camera shy. With shots like this you don’t have to worry about smiling or posing a certain way, you just walk with your dog and talk do them as you go so they look up at you. Easy!
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: This simple pose is a great opener to start your session, as it helps get the dog acclimated to the camera from a distance while they’re focused on their owner. It also is a fun way to burn off a puppy’s over-excitement (excellent for high energy dogs). This is also a good option for shy dogs who need a second to warm up, as you can shoot from a distance while the dog is focused on the owner.
4.) Spot’s Favorite Spot
A woman laughs as her dog licks the air while she pets him during a dog and owner photo shoot.
Most dogs have a favorite spot for petting. Whether it’s belly rubs, back scratches, or head pats, this “pose” shows your dog’s quirks and personality, and also invariably brings a genuine smile to your face as you watch your pup lean into you for more pats.
Pet Photography Pro-Tip: This is a great ice breaker, as it often gets the owner smiling and laughing and helps both the dog and the owner to relax. This can also be a great “break” activity for when the dog needs to take a second away from posing for a mental break. This helps get them reset between other poses and keeps them relaxed.
5.) Cuddle Time
A candid moment of a woman hugging her dog during a pet and owner photo shoot in the fall in Ohio.
If your dog is happy to have a quick snuggle, then this pose is a must-do. For small dogs you can hold them in your arms. For larger dogs crouch down down to their level so you’re both the same height and put your arm around them.
Pet Photography Pro-Tip: Not all dogs tolerate being hugged or snuggled and would prefer to have some space, so if you’re dog is not into it, do NOT to force it.
6.) Over the Shoulder
Pose idea for a dog and owner photo shoot with a man holding his French Bulldog that’s looking over his shoulder
The “Over the Shoulder” is another great pose for people who may be a little camera shy. It is flattering for both men and women, and works against pretty much any background. If the dog is small enough, you can hold them in your arms and then turn your back to the camera.
Pet Photographer Pro-Tip: If the dog is too big to be picked up, you can have the owners sit next to their pup with their backs to the camera to get a full body shot like in the photo below.
Dog and owner photoshoot pose idea showing a couple sitting beside a pond in the winter with their dog between them.
7.) It’s the Little Things
Woman holding her elderly dog’s paw during and End of Life Pet Photography Session in Ohio
Doggy detail shots are a must have, particularly for End of Life Pet photography sessions. Everyone has something they love about their dog, whether it’s the special pattern of their fur, or their cute little paws, or the way their tail curls over their back—capturing these small details really helps celebrate and preserve their unique traits.
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: These shots don’t have to just be close-ups of physical feature. There are more creative ways to emphasize these things in your images. For example: let’s say the owner loves their dog’s fluffy tail. While you could just take a photo of the tail, you can also capture it creatively by getting a shot of the dog and owner walking away from the camera so you can get a two-for-one—you’ve got a nice candid moment of them walking together, PLUS it shows off the dog’s tail.
Fall scene of a woman and her dog walking together in a forest
8.) Get on my Level
Dog and owner photoshoot posing idea showing a woman laying in the grass and laughing as her dog licks her face.
During sessions, you’re likely to find me laying on the ground while I shoot…so why don’t you come join me? It’s super important for me to get down to the dog’s eye level when shooting as this helps highlight your pet in the most flattering way. Laying in the grass with your pet allows you to both be on the same level, as equals. Being close together is relaxing for you both, and allows us to capture sweet candid moments.
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: Have the dog’s owner talk to them and love on them while they’re on the ground together. That way you can get great eye contact between your two subjects, like in the shot below.
Dog and Owner Photo shoot Posing idea showing a woman laying on the grass and talking to her dog at dusk during an end of life pet photo session in Columbus, Ohio
9.) Lap Dog
Saint Bernard dog sitting in his owner’s lap during a dog and owner photo shoot in Columbus
Most people think this pose is only for small dogs, but guess again! This is a fun one to do, as you also get an opportunity to get beautiful candid shots of you and your dog. This is an easy-to-do pose for both men and women. Be sure to give your pup lots of pets to keep them comfortable while they’re in your lap
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: If the dog is uninterested in being in the owner’s lap, have the owner kneel down directly behind the dog instead for this shot.
10.) The Look Back
This one is especially perfect for dogs with a cheeky personality! Crouch down on the ground and talk to your pet, and I’ll capture your dog looking back at me.
Pet Photographer’s Pro-tip: To pull this one off, grab a unique-sounding noise maker that you have not used at all yet during the session. Save it specifically for this shot. While the dog has his back to the camera and is looking at his people use the novel noise maker and the dog will whip his head around quickly to figure out what that sound is. Since this moment only lasts a split second you better have a fast trigger finger in order to capture this one! You may only get one shot at this pose, because once the dog hears the weird noise maker a couple times he will no longer care enough to turn and look, so it’s best to get it on the first try.
11.) Well, Would ya’ Look at That
This one is super simple Just look at your dog! This super versitile pose can be done anywhere and you can be standing, walking, kneeling, or sitting—doesn’t matter. We can photograph this as a full-body or close up shot. This is also a very easy-to-do, flattering pose for both men and women of all ages.
Pet Photographer’s Pro-Tip: This “pose” is the gift that keeps on giving, as it that allows you to get several different-looking shots from the same prompt. Try playing around with this one by shooting a variety of angles and lenses. I prefer to do these kind of shots with a telephoto or prime lens (though I do love a good wide angle that allows me to incorporate more of the surrounding environment like the shot below).
Ready to book a photo shoot with your dog?