Pet photography tips from our Maple Ridge sessions

1. 01The profileA long lens from further back. A wide strip across both faces, the snout leading to her smile.Sony a6700, 148mmf/2.8ISO 2001/12500
2. 02Resting on the logA panoramic crop. Eyes on the top third, the log as the base of the frame.Sony a6700, 35mmf/1.8ISO 2001/1000
3. 03Cheek to cheekA tall crop that cuts through the middle of the dog's face, so one eye and her smile share the frame.Sony a6700, 35mmf/1.8ISO 2001/1000
4. 04The final cropCropped in close, the moment fills the frame. This is the one that gets printed.Sony a6700, 35mmf/1.8ISO 2001/1000
5. 05The treat pouchA detail crop. Just the pouch and a reaching hand tell the story.Sony a6700, 35mmf/1.8ISO 2001/1000
6. 06The cuddleA wide crop that keeps the head on her knee and the treat pouch on her hip.Sony a6700, 126mmf/2.8ISO 2001/500
7. 07The shakeA wide crop around the shake, with the spray across the whole frame.Sony a6700, 35mmf/1.8ISO 2001/1000

1. 01Find a frameTrees, flowers, rocks or tall grass around your dog guide the eye exactly where we want it to go.
2. 02Keep the face clearLet the frame support the photo, not steal it. We move a few steps or crouch lower until the face and eyes are clear.

1. 01Negative spaceThe quiet, uncluttered area around your dog. Leaving parts of the frame empty gives them room to breathe and makes it clear where to look.
2. 02Show the scaleStep back and let your dog fill a third of the frame or less, so the place fills the rest. It shows the scale and feels more cinematic.
3. 03Leave room for the gazeIf your dog looks to one side, leave more space in front of them than behind. That space pulls the eye through the frame.
4. 04Remove the competitionA soft sky, blurred forest, water or an out-of-focus field all become negative space. Put your dog against less detail so they stand out.
5. 05Let the photo breatheA tiny subject in fog, forest, water or sky can feel peaceful, lonely, adventurous or dramatic, depending on what you include.
6. 06Use light as spaceThe space doesn't have to be empty. A bright patch of sky, fog, water or backlight quiets the area around your dog and sets them apart.

1. 01Fill the frameLet your subject take up most or all of the space. With less background competing, expression, details and connection become the focus.
2. 02Use what's already thereHands, arms or clothing can naturally surround your dog, fill empty areas and lead the eye to the face.
3. 03Let the expression leadWhen the expression is the strongest part of the moment, crop in so the eyes and the little details come first.
4. 04Don't crowd the momentFilling the frame doesn't mean losing every bit of space. Leave just enough room to breathe, with your subjects still the clear focus.
5. 05Get even closerSometimes the whole dog isn't the story. Paws, eyes, fur or a nose can fill the frame and feel bold and emotional.
6. 06Crop with intentionNot every frame is right in camera. Crop on purpose: no cuts that feel accidental, no space that feels cluttered.

1. 01The shotA sky-backed cuddle you can make almost anywhere. Here's the whole recipe, step by step.
2. 02The locationNo dramatic background needed. Find an open area where you can see the sky. No wide lens? A bench or higher ground works great.
3. 03The lightThe sun comes from the side, not straight overhead.
4. 04The promptPick up your pup and face the sun. Instead of looking at the camera: cuddle, a kiss, or just enjoy the sun. You stand higher, we crouch or lie down.
5. 05The compositionShoot low with the camera tilted up. Keep them low in the frame so the sky becomes negative space, faces close together.
6. 06The gearOne camera body and one prime lens.Sony a6700Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 GM
7. 07Camera settingsA fast shutter keeps a wiggly pup sharp.Sony a6700, 35mmf/2.81/1000ISO 400

1. 01Stop shooting in harsh midday sunSoft, low light through the trees beats a bright overhead sun.
2. 02Start using the environmentMoss, logs and light become part of the photo, not just a backdrop.
3. 03Start changing your distanceWide, middle and close from the same spot gives three different photos.
4. 04Stop ignoring the backgroundLook behind your dog before you press the shutter. Here the pumpkins make the photo.
5. 05Stop shooting in auto modeSet the exposure yourself so the light looks the way you saw it.
6. 06Start practicing patienceWait for the look. The moment comes once your dog settles.
7. 07Stop centering every photoPlace your dog off-center and let the space around them do the work.
8. 08Start practicing one skill every walkOne thing per walk: light, angle or distance. It adds up fast.

From The art of cropping, our Facebook series. Shot on a Sony a6700. See the post on Facebook

From The art of composition, our Instagram series. See the post on Instagram

From The art of composition, our Facebook series. See the post on Facebook

From The art of composition, our Facebook series. See the post on Facebook

From Steal this shot, our Facebook series. See the post on Facebook

From 8 ways to improve your photography, our Facebook series. See the post on Facebook