Holiday Photo Advice- Let's see those Doodle Holiday card photos (and the outtakes)

[David Sands]

Working with a high spirited Doodle and a camera can be rewarding and fustrating all in a matter of seconds. Here are a few tips for getting that great Holiday Photo. Please add your tips for we all want those legendary holiday pictures of our Doodles!

Tips- in no certain order

Walk your pooch prior to a photo session, bleed out that excessive energy and have a calm subject

Treats, your going to be using a lot of kibble to motivate and get Mr/Mrs Doodleface to pose. Have a training bag with kibble on your belt easily accessible

Cable Release or Remote, most cameras today have a port to attach a cable release to trip your shutter or others use a IR remote, These cost anywhere from 19 bucks to 90. It's a investment in photography gear you can use year round at night, w tripos or group shots. Invest in a release, it's makes a huge difference

Don't freak your pooch out- no one likes a 70-200 lens in their grill or lights flashing in their face. Have an assistant and have your settings pre set to your background make for better photos and a less stressed dog

Lighting, indirect or off camera lighting is best. If you don't have flashes and thousands of dollars in gear, it's okay. Be creative. I have used the flashlight on my iPhone to get some "fill light" in a Doodles deep eyes to bring them out. Think outside the box and get lighting off the lens axis- try it. It's digital so snap away and you'll be suprised and the improvement in photo quality will be visible

If you do use flash, bounce light off the ceiling to rain down soft muted light onto your subject. If you have a pop up flash, (don't laugh) I drape a  small piece of tissue paper over it to difuse that harsh little light and soften it some.

Use a tripod, use a tripod-  use a tripod

Get different angles. Move around and get low, go high- profile shots? silhouettes be creative. it's art

Smile, your dog thinks your crazy (we are). If it isn't working, try later. Dont push it. Smile.... Your dog knows if your stressed

Love to see more photos and tips/tricks you use to capture magic!

Dave/Flynn

[Minda and Callie]

Thanks Linda! 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

So so sweet... Love the lightening

[DJ & Chance]

Nice tips!  Adorable image.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I didn't have time this year to take a new photo, so I used one that I loved from last year. They look happy and that is what I want on my card. Thanks for the tips. I have a similar photo of Fudge with her hat pulled over her eye. LOL

I forgot about this picture or I would have used it in some way this year!

[Minda and Callie]

Oh my gosh they both are adorable!!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Laurie ~ I have missed seeing your posts! Love both of these photos.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Boy, we've missed you!! I was wondering how long you had to wait for Vern to raise his foot…duh, then I got it lol.

[DJ & Chance]

Love both Laurie.  Vern has that "not me, it was the reindeer" look on his face.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LAURIE!!!  Merry Christmas to you, John, Vern & Fudge

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Laurie, Bottom photo is epic!  LOVE IT!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks for sharing tips David!  I have not taken doodle Christmas photos, but hope to one day this week.  Ryder is on handsome doodle!

[Carol and Banjo]

Use a tripod!   I am so bad at doing that!    Now you've inspired me to do that AND use my remote.   This will be my mission this week.    Here is one of my favs...love doodles in Santa hats!