Dogs always manage to steal the limelight, whether through their death-defying leaps to catch the ball, their sneaky food-stealing antics, or that hilarious look they get on their face after accidentally drinking the seawater. So, why not run with it and get beautiful holiday photos of the pup being their silly, crazy and downright wonderful self?
If you're a new owner or keen to trial a bit of dog photography during your UK holiday and get some top travel pics, then read on for our round-up of 10 top tips for getting great photos of your dog. We’ve even included some advice from our 2018 Canine Critic’s owner, Cara, on what she considers when planning the perfect shot of her dog, Poppy – thanks for the extra photography tips, Cara! (Find our more about Cara and Poppy's 2018 travels here.)
These titbits of advice will help you get snap happy with your pup in no time, or click the button below to begin discovering photo-worthy cottages in our pet-friendly collection.
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1. Get your dog used to the camera
Ronnie, our 2020 Critics Choice winner, sat in front of Llangorse Lake in the Brecon Beacons
Your dog may have no fear, but even the bravest of doggos can get nervous around bright flashes and loud clicks in their face.
Some cameras can even be quite large and clunky, so before any kind of photo shoot, let your dog give the equipment a good sniff and try to keep the atmosphere calm, happy and relaxed.
Why do some dogs hate getting their picture taken?
Some dogs can be downright afraid of getting their photo taken. Having someone over them, pointing a camera can be intimidating and if they've not had their photograph taken before in this way, then it's something that you need to show your canine pal is not scary or threatening.
Why won't my dog let me take his picture?
Even though he's your dog and is probably really comfortable with you in lots of situations, a camera is strange – it smells strange, it sounds strange and suddenly you're paying more attention to your camera than your dog! No wonder some of our more sensitive canine pals can find a camera unnerving.
2. Have treats on hand if you want portraits
Poppy, our 2018 Canine Critics overall winner, on a beach in Norfolk at sunset
This is particularly applicable to younger pups and canines with boundless energy, but also ensures old dogs with a keen sense of smell will be looking at you and the treats when you take the photo.
You’ll soon get your dog’s attention when you open a pack of delicious canine nibbles!
Cara says:
"Keep practising that stay command; it makes life so much easier if you know your dog won’t move while you set up the perfect shot!"
3. Bend, stretch and get down to your dog’s level
Daphne, our Mini Mutt category winner, on her holiday in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Standing over your dog and taking the shot simply means your photos won’t have much variety. If you’ve ever watched a professional pet photographer in action, you’ll notice they bend, twist, crouch and crawl – whatever it takes to get the best shot.
Switch it up by getting down to their level and you’ll get a far more interesting choice of photographs.
Is dog photography hard?
No! Anyone can get fantastic photos of their pets – and as the owner, you may be the best person for the job, as your pup pal will be most comfortable around you, so you can photograph them in their favourite environment, doing all the things that make them unique!
4. What is the best background for a dog portrait?
Lunar, Summer, Nancy and Ethel - four of our 2020 Canine Critics and winners of The Pack category
Think minimal. Simple, uncluttered backgrounds like a beach or grassy green field allow your dog to be the star of the show, and even interior shots can look professional with a bit of forward-thinking and attention to detail.
Remove any clutter and distracting objects from the area you want to capture and watch out for anything that might look like it’s growing out of your dog’s head. Also, pay attention to colour – a dark background could be tricky when capturing a black dog.
Cara says:
"Think about how you can best show off where you are. Part of getting good holiday photos is snapping the fantastic scenery and attractions you visit, so try positioning your pup in the foreground with a breathtaking backdrop behind."
5. Avoid the flash
Willow and Bobby, 2019 Canine Critics winners in the North East category
Great lighting is everything in photography, with a bright yet diffused light being one of the easiest for creating beautiful pet portraits. Try shooting first thing in the morning on overcast days, or in the shade if it’s sunny.
For interior shots, find a place near a window and let natural light flood in, use an off-camera flash, or a bright light that’s been swivelled up to the ceiling to create a seemingly natural light source.
6. Edit your photos
Even the lightest of edits can bring new life to a photograph and there are lots of free smartphone apps that can help you add that professional touch in seconds. Check out VSCO, Photoshop Express and one of our personal favourites, Snapseed.
How can I take professional pictures of my dog?
The secret combination to high-quality, professional photos is lighting and editing. If you can get the lighting right in a photo, the sunlight at dawn and dusk can be especially dramatic, then you only need a couple of editing touches to create seamlessly professional-looking photos of anything.
7. Create a shot list
It’s a great way to ensure you don’t spend all your time with your camera glued to your eye when you could be playing fetch instead.
Spend 5 minutes planning and writing down five to ten of the shots you would like to capture and keep your camera on hand to snap the opportunities as they arise.
Cara says:
"Plan what and where you want to go in advance. It makes your trip run so much more smoothly when you have a good idea of what you want to be doing and which shots you’d like to try to create."
8. Keep quiet
Rocco, our 2021 winner of Canine Critics The Bear category, photographed during a holiday in Cornwall
There’s no quicker way to confuse a dog than to shout commands at them repeatedly.
Good communication isn’t all about words. Body language will influence how your dog reacts to you as well, so try communicating with them non-verbally; use hand signals to point or invite them over to you, and if you need to say ‘sit’, say it calmly and quietly.
The less talking you do, the clearer your commands will be. Your dog will be able to listen and respond to you, and you’ll get some great shots!
9. Don't forget to enlist help
Ted, one of our 2021 Canine Critics, at Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall
Ask a friend or partner to stand next to you with a squeaky toy or healthy treat if you want a head-on shot, or throw and catch a ball if you want an action shot. This will allow you to concentrate on framing your photo perfectly.
10. Have fun!
Darcy and Darla, our 2022 Canine Critic overall winners, on holiday in the Brecon Beacons
You’ll get the best shots when you aren’t even trying! If you want to capture your pup’s true personality, then simply spend time with your dog with your camera at the ready to capture those spontaneous shots. You could get a great photo of your canine playing fetch, following an exciting animal trail, or covered in mud after a crazy few minutes rolling about in puddles.
Cara says:
"The best shots are often the most spontaneous ones so it’s good to get some candid, un-posed photos to show off your dog’s personality!"
One last tip from Cara about how she gets such great photos of Poppy:
"Try and get off the beaten path; sometimes walking 5 minutes away from the popular tourist spots can get you the most special of pictures."
Top dog photography destinations in the UK
Ted, winner of the 2021 Canine Critics Superstar category
North Cornwall
There's something very magical about the light by the coast; it's fantastic for photography with your dog and beautiful Cornwall has miles and miles of it! Head to old coastal mines, wide, sandy beaches or rugged cliffs for impressive scenery.
Willow and Bobby, 2019 Canine Critics winners in the North East category
Lake District National Park
Iconic for its immense, glacial lakes, this national park in Cumbria is a perfect place for dog photography with amazing views. Between the extraordinary waterscapes and scenic fells, you can explore quaint towns and villages too.
Canine Critics Toby and Amos, our 2019 North West category winners
The Highlands
Munros towering over glimmering lochs; the wild and wonderful Highlands of Scotland is a spectacular place for great dog photography – or great photography in general! Some top destinations include Loch Ness, the Moray Firth and the Isle of Sky.
Our 2021 Critics Choice winner, Rufus, in front of Henrhyd Falls
Brecon Beacons National Park
Bannau Brycheiniog boasts scenic mountaintops with panoramic views where you can capture stunning photos of your dog, but it is also home to a wealth of waterfalls – this national park is known as Waterfall Country, perfect for magical pictures.
Our very first Canine Critics winner in 2018, Poppy, during her Peaks holiday
Peak District National Park
You won't need to go climbing mountains to come across sublime panoramas. Just driving along the roads, you and your canine companion will pass plenty of epic views – you'll be pulling over the car every few minutes for an impromptu photoshoot!
Poppy, our Canine Critics 2019 winner in the Yorkshire category
East Sussex
Home to the famous Seven Sisters Country Park and a plethora of dog-friendly beaches, East Sussex is an outstanding location for great dog photography. Go on coastal adventures and keep the camera handy for lovely shoots by the water.
Dog-friendly cottages in the UK
The one thing that we at Canine Cottages can help with is finding a fantastic backdrop that’ll allow you to get the perfect doggo photos. To begin planning your photography trip, browse through our dog-friendly holiday cottages in the UK.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.