NetKennel Weekly Website Wednesday update – Week #15
For this week’s NetKennel Weekly Website Wednesday (WWW) post, I want to talk about taking pictures of your dogs to post on your kennel website.
Gundog Central was built on the premise that one good photo is all you need to sell your dog. That’s why, by default, everybody can post one photo. A single strong photo will do more to help you sell your dogs than a dozen mediocre photos or videos.
With that being said, here are three tips to help you take better pictures:
1. Get down.
Never take pictures of your dog while you’re standing up. From above, you tower over your dog, causing you to shoot down on them, which makes them look small and distorted. Instead, get down on their level—lay on the ground if you have to—so you’re shooting across or slightly up at them. This creates a more intimate and engaging shot, allowing you and your viewers to feel like you’re meeting the dog face-to-face. The dog looks more natural, less distorted, and often more powerful. I older I get, the harder it is to get down on the ground to get a photo, but the reward is worth it.
2. Cloudy days.
Have you ever tried to take a picture of a white dog on a sunny day? The dog often ends up glowing like a neon sign. Aim for overcast days instead. Clouds act as a giant diffuser, softening the light and eliminating harsh shadows. Midday sun can make colors too bright or washed out, while cloudy, diffused light keeps coat colors, eye colors, and backgrounds looking richer and more natural.
3. Get out in the field.
Don’t take pictures of your dogs inside their kennel. Get them out in the field, standing in a natural setting where they look they were bred to be.
I’ve shared several articles in the past on taking pictures of your dogs. If you’re interested in more details, check out this piece by Tom Keer: 4 Great Ways to Shoot Your Dog ( https://gundogcentral.com/articles/5115/4-great-ways-to-shoot-your-dog ), and this article from Chris Ingram: How to Take Better Photos of Your Gun Dogs ( https://gundogcentral.com/articles/3884/how-to-take-better-photos-of-your-gun-dog ).
