Laisse-moi deviner — ton téléphone est rempli de photos de ton chien? Et au moins la moitié sont floues… ou il a détourné la tête à la dernière seconde… ou il a carrément refusé de rester en place?
Bonjour! Moi, c’est Sam — photographe professionnelle de chiens basée au Saguenay. Je crée des œuvres d’art sur mesure qui célèbrent le lien unique entre les humains et leurs animaux. Avec des années d’expérience partout au Canada, je sais comment capturer la personnalité d’un chien — même s’il est un peu fou, timide ou incapable de rester en place. Voici quelques poses simples que j’utilise souvent. Elles sont parfaites pour les séances improvisées… quand tu n’as pas une photographe pro à portée de main!
Avant tout… un petit rappel
C’est difficile de prendre de belles photos de ton chien soi-même. C’est pourquoi je recommande toujours d’investir au moins une fois dans des portraits professionnels — pour célébrer sa personnalité et immortaliser votre lien à travers une œuvre d’art qui durera toute une vie.
Mais en attendant, voici 3 poses faciles à essayer lors de votre prochaine balade (plus une bonus à la fin!).
1. The Dog on a Log
This is one of my signature poses. I love creating portraits of dogs perched on natural elements — logs, rocks, stumps, boulders. Anything sturdy and low to the ground makes a perfect little pedestal.
Dogs are surprisingly more likely to stay still when they’re slightly elevated. It limits distractions and keeps them focused (and hey, they look like kings of the forest).
How to do it:
- Find a log or rock that’s wide enough for your dog to stand or sit comfortably. Avoid anything taller than your dog’s height.
- Gently place them on top, stand beside them, open your camera, then step back and snap the photo quickly.
- Use a treat or toy to guide their gaze toward the lens.
Pro Tip: Tap your dog’s face on your phone screen to lock focus and exposure. And always shoot at their eye level, even if it means crouching way down.
Best for: Confident dogs with decent balance or who like climbing. Works great when they’re alert and energetic.
Want to make your session even easier? Check out my blog post on 5 must-have things to bring to your dog photo session.
2. The Crouching Human, Sitting Dog
Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always. But when done well, it creates a timeless, heartfelt image.
How to do it:
- If your dog knows “sit,” you’re golden. Position them in a sit and step back a few feet.
- Angle yourself slightly (about 45 degrees) to avoid a full-frontal view. Trust me.
- Crouch down to eye level, make a silly sound or say their name, and snap the photo fast — they’ll only hold still for a second or two.
Pro Tip: Use burst mode to capture several frames in one go. You’re more likely to get that perfect head tilt or eye contact.
If your dog doesn’t know sit: Sit down on the ground and wait. Dogs often mimic our posture. When they finally sit beside you, lean back, frame up, and snap.
Best for: Dogs with some basic training or who are feeling calm. Skip this classic pose if they’re too excited or overwhelmed.
3. The “Puparazzi”
Posed shots are great, but there’s magic in candid moments. Candid photos are perfect for capturing your dog doing something totally them — like pouncing on a pile of leaves or trotting along with ears flopping in the wind.
How to do it:
- Let your dog do their thing. Walk, sniff, roll, pounce — whatever brings out their personality.
- Follow them quietly with your camera ready. Use a squeaky noises here and there if you want a quick glance your way. Remember to crouch down so you’re on their level.
Pro Tip: Keep your shutter sound on! Sometimes the click is enough to get them to look up without stopping the action. Don’t make too make squeaky noises, as your dog will lose interest in them very quickly if you overuse them.
Best for: Goofy dogs, high-energy dogs, or those who hate being told what to do.
Bonus Pose: Puppy Dog Eyes
This one always gets an “awww.”
How to do it:
- Stand beside your dog and hold your phone directly above their head (carefully!).
- Bring a treat to their nose, then raise it slowly up next to your lens so they look straight up with those irresistible eyes.
- Snap the photo — fast!
Pro Tip: Save this for the end of your walk or shoot. Your dog will be more relaxed, and you’ll get a softer, sweeter expression.
Best for: Literally every dog ever.
This pose it works even if your dog is on-leash, not trained, or has anxiety — and if that’s the case, you might want to read Why Your Dog Doesn’t Have to Behave for Perfect Photos.
What if My Dog Won’t Stay Still?
No stress — movement can make for amazing photos too. When I work with high-energy or reactive dogs, I lean into the chaos and focus on emotion, action, and environment. Some of the most joyful portraits come from dogs doing their own thing.
Your best bet is to keep sessions short, stay relaxed, and be ready to capture the moment — even if it’s not what you planned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing busy backgrounds that distract from your dog
- Photographing from too high up (always shoot at their eye level!)
- Using flash — it startles many dogs and creates harsh lighting if not done properly.
- Waiting too long to take the photo — dogs move quickly!
Want to feel more prepared before your next session? Here are 8 helpful tricks to prepare for a pet photo shoot.
Want results you can’t get yourself?
If you want something truly special — art that celebrates your dog’s personality and makes your heart swell every time you walk past it — I’d love to create that for you.
Whether you’re in Quebec or across Canada, I’ll work with you to create custom artwork that captures your dog’s spirit in epic, heart-melting detail — and design it to fit your home beautifully.
Spots are limited. Contact me today and let’s create something you’ll love forever.
