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

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great shots Carol!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks F.    I think we both had fun!    

[PJ and Zach]

So warm and cozy and sweet!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks PJ.

[Ann Kendig]

Nice series of shots. Really like that first one. Mike

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Love these Carol. 

[David Sands]

BOOM- nailed these. That suttter release and tripod give you freedom to work with yor pup and focus on poses. Yeah, super job on these!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

These are super, Carol.  Looks like a cozy Christmas.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Wonderful, fun shots Carol.  

[DJ & Chance]

What a great series, Carol.  I think the second is my favorite.  And I think a lot of us are in love with Banjo!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks all.    Nothing like a little fresh baked doggy biscuit to gain cooperation!    Now, every time I pick up my camera, Banjo's running over by the tree!   

[David Sands]

Tip Number 1,098,983,123 in trying tp remember stuff.

I had a person try to print my photos at Costco that I gave them (cool). I failed ot tell them to UNCHECK AUTO Fix/Auto Correct on the final page, and when they got their prints, the lab at costco over rode my edits I did in Lightroom making everything look, well, dark and drab.

if you edit your pics in Lightroom or Phtoshop and print at Sams or Costco, ensure you uncheck auto correct to get the picture you actually want printed!   FYI- almost Merry Christmas!