How I Photographed Two Puppies

Yellow lab puppy and boxer puppy on bench

Does getting a portrait of two puppies together sound like wishful thinking? Let me share with you some of the tricks I used to make this boxer and yellow lab’s photoshoot a success.

Put puppies up on a bench.

I knew we’d have our hands full wrangling the energetic pups, so I chose a location with benches we could put them upon. One trick I’ve learned over ten years of photographing dogs is that if you put dogs up on something – like a bench or rock – you have a better chance of them standing still for a split-second longer. Usually, they’re not so sure if they can jump down or not and that buys you precious time!

Portrait of a yellow lab puppy and a boxer puppy standing on a rock at a park with a stone building in the background
Picture of young boy holding Boxer puppy in his arms at an outdoor photoshoot

How you hold puppies is essential.

Sage the Boxer was shy but loved her boy and felt comfortable in his arms. I directed him to put Sage’s paws over his arm. It helped hold her still and made her look extra adorable!

Portrait of Teenage girl and her yellow lab puppy with bow tie sitting on a rock during an outdoor photo session

Another trick I use is to have people hold their dog around the body instead of the collar. When people hold their dog’s collar too tightly, it can look like they’re choking them. But holding them around the belly is a hug! As a result, Chase the yellow lab looks like a little angel in this photo.

Image of Family of four sitting on bench with their yellow lab puppy and their boxer puppy during photo session
It had been a few years since this family had professional photos taken, so they decided it would be wise for everyone to get in front of the camera. I love how proud kids are to show off their new pets!
Photograph of Yellow lab puppy on stairs by the Stone House in Lakewood during an outdoor puppy photoshoot

I’ll help you pick the best location for your needs.

Another thing I did to set these puppies up for success was to select the best location for their photoshoot. I suggested the Stone House because it’s close to this family’s home and looks lush in the spring. Each photoshoot has its own set of challenges and I try to select a setting that will make it easy for everyone. For this family, it was important to be able to get to the photoshoot quickly after their afternoon sports practices were finished.

Profile of Boxer puppy looking up at woman wearing cowboy boots and jeans in front of stone wall during photoshoot
Take a peek inside Sage & Chase’s custom photo album. I also helped the family design a wall grouping of five metal prints that will hang in their living room.
Snapshot of Family posing with a boxer puppy and a yellow lab puppy

It’s fine if the puppies don’t cooperate!

In a perfect world, these tips would work every time. But puppies are squirmy and we got lots of laughs while trying to pose them. My style is relaxed and natural, so the outtakes are often some of my favorites!

Would you like me to photograph your new puppy? Head over to my contact page and ask me any questions you may have.

Pet Photographer in Denver, Colorado

’52 Chevy truck mini aussie

Take a peek at what I’ve been up to lately. You might get some ideas for what we can do for your pet’s photos!

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