Beautiful light is useless when a cyclist whizzes through your frame and the dog decides it’s time to give chase. And even the most peaceful location in the world won’t help you if not a single ray of sunset light makes it through the trees.
Choosing the right location is hugely important in dog photography. And no, it being pretty isn’t enough. You need to think about safety, the position of the sun and the light, and how much you can actually get out of the place.
If you’re now thinking, “Okay, but what exactly do you mean?”, read on. Let’s break it down.
Safety: a relaxed experience for the dog and the client
Check how busy the place is. Are there cars? Is it a popular dog-walking spot? What about runners, cyclists, wildlife?
Ideally, you’ll find a quiet spot with no distractions. But honestly, that doesn’t always happen. So plan ahead.
If you know the place is full of runners and cyclists, don’t bring a dog who struggles with fast movement. Unless you fancy photographing a chase.
If you’re shooting in a forest with wildlife, keep the dog under control, for example on a long line. A deer will always be more interesting than you.
If the dog doesn’t get on with other dogs, you’re obviously not taking it to a dog park. Simple, but important. And yes, this needs saying too.
Light and the position of the sun
Now for the more tedious bit. Once you’ve found a safe spot, test it in different lighting conditions.
What does it look like at sunrise, mid-morning, midday, in the afternoon or at sunset? What about an overcast day? Or harsh sun?
Example: in a dense forest, barely any light gets through the trees. Sunrise and sunset won’t work there, but around midday it can be absolutely brilliant. Yes, the very midday every photographer loves to curse.
Getting the most out of a location
The best places hide at least two more scenes. That way you can offer photos from different settings without having to change location and drag the dog, the owner and all your kit somewhere else.
Picture a sunset in the heather. Time it right and you’ll still have time to shoot in the sand, the dry grass or among the pines. All in one place.
And since you’ve already tested the light here, nothing will catch you off guard 😉
Want more tips like this from me? Join my community for photographers.
