Puppy shoot

davidjpope1

davidjpope1

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A friend of mine has recently got a new puppy and has asked me to take a few pictures of it.

What should I be thinking about when doing a shoot like this. I've never really photographed animals before.

Any tips welcome!

Also not sure if I've put this in the right place on the forum...
 
Same as a person really. Focus on the eyes, capture looks, expressions, cute actions etc.
I find it easier with a 70-200 f/2.8 so you can be further away and just let the puppy do what it wants without being harrased.

My last puppy shoot.



DSC_9500.jpg by TCR4x4, on Flickr


DSC_9482.jpg by TCR4x4, on Flickr
 
Same as a child really, be on your toes! Continuous focus if its on the move, fast shutter speed... Oh, and if its a dark coloured pup try spot metering to help get a better exposure. Nice shots btw Tom
 
Get down low - as low as a snake's belly (almost).
 
Other thing to remember. Pups have 2 speed -100mph and asleep.
If you are with the pup alone it will probably try to play with you and get too close for pics. Have someone play with the pup and you stay back a bit and take the pics.
 
Drugs! The hard bit is getting the balance between asleep and 100mph. This is one situation where I would probably fit a protection filter - the pup will probably see a potential friend in the lens and try to kiss it!

As (it looks like) Tom did, bribe the pup with a snack/toy - it might keep it still and open eyed for a moment - be ready for the ms or 2 that's available.

Take loads - not sure what your fastest frame rate is but a machine gun approach might capture the moment while waiting/anticipating probably won't.

Good luck!


ETA... If possible, meet the pup beforehand or at least a good while before pointing a lens at him/her. A new friend will be very exciting and while an animated pup is always fun, they're a bu99er to shoot!
 
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Echo the others - lie down flat on the ground with the light behind you and get the owner to play with the pup, which will keep it away from you and allow you to get the odd nice shot of owner and puppy interacting as well. It can be useful to have a squeaker from a toy with you as well, and you can then give a little squeak to get the puppy to look at you occasionally. Oh, and a quite large cuddly toy can make for a nice prop for very sweet photos as well.
 
PS if if is a working breed like a Labrador then a prop from its future life can be nice - shooting paraphernalia etc for a gundog
 
Just shot 2 puppies today let them work of the excited energy then they will calm down & just keep putting them in a spot you want after a while they get fed up & stay there so just shoot away
 
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