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Bradley Taylor
Pet Photography: Candid or Posed Dog Photography
DECEMBER 29, 2022
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Candid or Posed Pet Photography - Which is best?
Let me start off by being clear; I'm not the kind of dog photographer who welcomes you and your pooch to a studio full of props and lighting. I'm wholeheartedly in the camp of documentary style photography but that does not mean I believe my way is the only way. If you want studio lighting, go somewhere else. If you want muddy walks, laughter and capturing moments between you and your best friend, then I might be the Yorkshire pet photographer for you.
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Candid Dog Photography
Experience enables me to shoot "candid" photos that capture real life moments that often pass in split seconds. As a photojournalist, I have been trained to document little moments in time to tell a story and that is how I approach most of my dog photography. By letting your dog relax in my company, relaxing and enjoying the walk, seemingly innocuous moments are captured for you to treasure in your final images. Similarly, as a hobby I am a keen wildlife photographer and every experienced nature photographer will tell you patience is a key element to creating beautiful images of animals.
For these reasons, I accompany you on a dog walk in the local area. I have many areas across West and North Yorkshire that I know well and are reasonably quiet, picturesque and suitable for dog walks. Perhaps you have a certain location in mind that you would like me to accompany you and your dog to and document that special bond you have?
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Posed Dog Photography
None of the above is to say I am opposed to a traditional sit, "smile" and trigger the camera shutter. With dogs and other animals though, it is necessary to build a bond, a relationship, to enable the dog to relax enough to "behave". Even the most obedient and well trained dogs can "act up" when there's a stranger pointing a big camera at them!
I find that after a bit of a walk, perhaps around Otley Chevin or another suitable Yorkshire location, dogs are ready to sit and pose for a more traditional photo.
The benefit to shooting your dog portraits on location is that the resulting final images have a tangible quality to them that simply isn't capable of being reproduced in the studio.
So, which is best? I would say both candid and posed shots have their place but most important is creating an environment in which you and your dog can relax for the photoshoot. This is most easily achieved whilst documenting a walk alongside you, muddy shoes and all. We are lucky to have many great locations across West and North Yorkshire for dog walks and it is quite likely that your frequent stomping ground is familiar to me.

IF you are interested in booking a photoshoot for you and your pet dog in my documentary style, feel free to get in touch or check out the pet photography page for further information.

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