Tips for Good Pet Care Journal Photos

DO

Use natural/outdoor lighting whenever possible  

Get down to their eye level – especially smaller dogs, creates a great image

Use burst mode for action shots and wide angle for interesting group shots– you can go back and select the best one from the bursts

Try different compositions! – Rule of thirds and framing – try placing the dog off center or aligning them with natural frames like tree branches fences or archways

Get candids and portraits! Candid sniffing, yawns, tail wagging balanced with posed photos of dogs with happy expressions

Watch the Background —a green field is better than a parking lot  

Get group shots on the walk, one or two good pictures can be sent to each of the clients

Encourage expressions – make goofy noises, squeak a toy, ask if they want a treat

dont

Don’t capture them mid-pull, with tangled leashes or generally looking disheveled. It makes the walk look chaotic and poorly managed

Don’t take pictures of dogs looking anxious, stressed or having off body language – ears pinned down, tails tucked all the way under their bodies

Avoid blurry and out of focus photos unless it’s a close up of a pets face

Don’t only send photos from behind the dogs walking – get creative and include portraits and other angles

Don’t take photos near trash, dirty snow, construction sites, etc.

Don’t take photos that depict things that may be questionable of your use of a clients home - photos of your shoes on furniture, or wearing dirty boots through their house