Freeze Frame: Top 5 Tips for a Sparkling Winter Photoshoot with your Dog
While summer may be synonymous with outdoor adventures and vibrant colors, winter offers its own unique charm and beauty, making it the perfect season for your dog's photo session. In this blog post, we'll explore the many reasons why choosing winter for your pet photography session is a great idea, too!
Why Choose Winter for Your Dog’s Photo Session?
Winter, with its soft, white blanket of snow, provides a unique and stunning backdrop for photography, especially when it comes to capturing your dog's most playful moments. The muted tones of the landscape and the unique textures of snow and frost, combined with the charm of your sweet pup, create a magical, almost ethereal, setting that's hard to replicate in any other season.
Crisp winter air, a sprinkle of snowflakes, and a happy dog - the perfect recipe for an unforgettable photo session! But capturing your dog's winter antics isn't always as simple as point and shoot. Without the right techniques, your winter outdoor adventure could leave you with a bunch of blurry, underexposed shots. I can help! With this article, I’ll share my top five tips for a flawless winter photoshoot with your dog. Details like how to manage lighting in a snowy scene, using your dog’s energy to your advantage, and preparing yourself with the ideal equipment. So, even if there’s no snow on the ground…yet…there will be soon enough! Get winter-ready as I guide you on creating snow dog mementos of your pups!
Winter dog photo sessions offer a variety of images - from exciting opportunities for action shots to snuggly images of your pup in a warm blanket - these moments can make for some truly memorable photographs. And let's not forget - the winter attire! Cozy sweaters, cute scarves, and adorable boots can add an extra layer of charm to your photoshoot for both you AND your dog!
However, winter photography comes with its own set of challenges. From dealing with the biting cold to managing the tricky lighting, it's essential to be prepared and understand the nuances of the season. But fear not – I’m here with a few tips to help you navigate your frosty photoshoot with ease.
First and foremost, use common sense when it comes to deciding if a winter photo shoot is a good idea. Dog safety, comfort and enjoyment are paramount and some dogs enjoy the cold and the snow more than others. So, if your dog is one who would rather hibernate than step into the cold winter air, an outdoor winter photo session may not be the best choice for your pup…a studio session is sometimes a better choice and we can bring a little “winter” to a studio session by using creative lighting and props.
Next, consider your dog's wardrobe. While some breeds are naturally equipped to handle the cold, others might need a bit of help. Investing in a good quality winter coat and protective paw boots can keep your pet warm and comfortable. Remember, a comfortable dog is a cooperative model! Plus, a colorful sweater or coat on your little pup looks so cute against the white blanket of snow. And of course, there are the dogs who were born to be in the snow and will play outside until the snowballs accumulating on their fur are the size of golf balls. Whichever kind of dog you have, there are ways to capture memories and keepsake images during the cold winter months. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to embark on an outdoor snow session with your pup this winter:
Was your dog born for winter?
If your pup can’t get enough of the frosty, snowy weather that winter brings, capture him in his element with a fun, memorable, and unique snow dog photo session!
When taking photos in the snow, there is a lot to consider - cameras (including your iPhone camera) takes in all the light from the scene to properly expose an image, so on a snowy day, your camera’s sensor will see the scene as being very bright and will adjust the exposure. The result? Images where your dog (the subject) looks too dark and the snow looks grey.
What about the “blue snow” look? Yep - pure snow often looks blue in photography and it has to do with the way light wavelengths travel and how our eyes perceive colors. Blue light travels through snow and ice more than other color wavelengths and makes the snow appear to be blue (in the same way the ocean and the sky look blue). There’s more science behind it, but that’s the gist. The more important question is how to fix it!
If you have a DSLR camera with the option for manual settings, you can overcome these two common issues in your camera and you can correct the blue tone in post-processing if you shoot in raw (it’s like a digital negative). The newer iPhones and other phone cameras allow for manual adjustments as well and there are tons of articles on the interwebs to help with that.
DONE FOR YOU!
Hire a professional dog photographer who will handle all that science-y mumbo jumbo for you!
Whether you decide to experiment with your own equipment or hire a professional dog photographer to capture snow-filled memories for you, these tips will ensure a fun and successful session for you and your pup!
5 Tips for your Dog’s Winter Photo Session:
Make the Most of Natural Light: Winter daylight can be brief and often subdued. On a bright, sunny day opt for a “golden hour” photo session (within two hours of sunrise or sunset). During these times, the sun is lower in the sky and casts very soft, minimal shadows. These times are also perfect for getting the sparkly, golden “bokeh” in your images to create a gorgeous, magical look. Mid-day photography on a snowy day can be done, but if you’re a DIYer, be sure to adjust your camera’s exposure settings to avoid overexposing the image. An overcast day provides more wiggle room for the time of your session because the cloud cover acts as a big soft box, limiting those harsh shadows and bright reflections. During the winter months, an overcast day can be a wonderful subdued scene for your images that makes for great wall art in your home.
Capture Action Shots: Winter is full of fun activities for dogs. From chasing snowballs to making “snow angels”, these candid moments can result in some captivating shots. During your dog’s snow session, there will be plenty of play time to capture your dog's silly antics and spontaneous reactions. Leashes can stay on - your professional photographer will usually be able to remove them during the editing stage.
Locations: Take advantage of locations that may be less than ideal during other seasons. Open spaces like parks or fields covered in snow can make for stunning backgrounds. Fields and forests are more accessible during the winter when the brush has died back, making some areas that are difficult to navigate easier to get to. After a new snowfall, look for an area with pines or spruce trees that might still have snow-covered branches or a snow-covered path to add a touch of wilderness to your photos. Alternatively, consider urban settings like a snow-covered street or a city park. They can lend a different, more modern vibe to your photos. Wherever you choose, make sure the location is safe and comfortable for both you and your dog. Remember, the best location isn't always the most exotic one. It's the one where your dog can be themselves and enjoy the experience. After all, their happiness will shine through in the photos, making them all the more special.
Include Props and Accessories: Winter-themed props like scarves, hats, sleds, or even Christmas decorations can add a festive and fun element to your photos. They can also help to capture your dog's personality and make the photos more engaging. If you plan to be in the images with your dog (or even if you don’t want to be in them, but don’t mind being in the background), think about your footwear, the color of your hat, scarf or mittens and consider colors that will “pop” or that will complement your dog’s fur. If your pup typically wears jackets, sweaters or boots in the winter, be sure to include them in your photo session. A cute red sweater or a plaid dog coat can brighten up a winter scene.
Be Patient and Positive: Like all dog photo sessions, patience, positivity, playtime and lots of treats can go a long way in getting those perfect shots. Remember to make the experience enjoyable for your dog. And, be sure to bring water, a brush and a towel to your session. It may seem counter-intuitive, but your dog will get thirsty (even if he’s been eating snow) because the air is usually dry and your dog will be getting plenty of exercise! After the session, you may need to brush out any accumulated snow balls from your dog’s fur and clean their paws to be sure they are free from ice, snow and salt (if you’re in an urban area). Then, give them a warm place to snuggle when you get home - the best reward for being such a good model!
Creating memories with your dog during a winter photoshoot can be a fun and rewarding experience. It's a wonderful opportunity to bond with your pet, capture their unique personality, and create lasting memories. With the right preparation, equipment, and techniques, you can create stunning winter photographs of your dog that you'll cherish for years to come. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and make it a positive experience for your dog. After all, these photos are not just about capturing beautiful images, but also about celebrating the special bond you share with your furry friend. So go ahead, brave the cold, and create some unforgettable 'freeze frames' with your dog this winter!
Get out and create some ‘freeze frames’ with your dog this winter!
