Get down and dirty to get great photos of your dogs on their walk!

Capture the fun and expressions from your dog
(Image credit: Ross McLaren)

Having fallen in love with photography through my underwater work, I had been looking for another outlet that we could enjoy together as a family and one that was a little less wet. I’m not sure that dog photography quite fits the bill of being drier, especially when I find myself lying on the beach or in a muddy field trying to get the shot, but it’s certainly something we’ve been able to enjoy together during our family days out. 

There are some incredible pet photographers out there for inspiration, but you don’t have to be a professional to be able to shoot photos that really capture the unique individual character of man’s best friend.

1) Candid shots

Look out for facial expressions as the dog runs (Image credit: Ross McLaren)

I like to capture the raw, candid moments when I’m shooting. Those facial expressions the dogs pull in a split-second as they are running or enjoying the open air really highlight their personalities. This isn’t easy, though, and takes a lot of trial and error because their expressions can quickly change.

2) Get on the level

Get low down to convey the dog's perspective (Image credit: Ross McLaren)

Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty! Descending to dog level will really enhance your shots and help to convey the speed of the dog’s movements. It also means you can clearly see when a dog is airborne in mid-stride as there’s an obvious gap between their galloping feet and the ground.

3) Try these settings

Get to know your camera settings as the action comes thick and fast (Image credit: Ross McLaren)

Getting to know your camera is important so that you can make adjustments on the fly. I always shoot in Manual exposure mode but, in practice, I really only alter my shutter speed. Starting off at 1/2000 sec with the aperture set to around f/4 and Auto ISO (with a maximum limit of ISO 3200), it’s only a quick turn of a dial to change the shutter speed or aperture, if required, while the camera takes care of the ISO.

4) Burst mode

Make use of high speed shooting options (Image credit: Ross McLaren)

Being able to shoot up to 10fps (mechanical shutter) and 18fps (electronic shutter) on my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III comes in handy for photographing dogs. It does feel a bit ‘spray and pray’ at times, but it certainly helps capture the split-second moments that you would miss when shooting single images.

5) Shoot fast

Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action (Image credit: Ross McLaren)

With dogs running around at high speed, you really do need a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement. If the area has water, like on this beach, the fast shutter speed also means that any splashes will be frozen in place as well. If you’re struggling with the focus point, make the aperture narrower, to more like f/5.6 or f/8, and see whether Auto ISO has enough leeway to keep the image properly exposed.

Digital Camera World

Digital Camera World is the world’s favorite photography magazine and is packed with the latest news, reviews, tutorials, expert buying advice, tips and inspiring images. Plus, every issue comes with a selection of bonus gifts of interest to photographers of all abilities.

Subscribe now with our latest subscription deal!   

If you want to know more about the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III then read our review. Or, how about getting a new lens for your Olympus/OM camera system? We have a guide to the best lenses available. You'll need a decent kit bag for the outdoors so why not take a look at the Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 650 AW II?

R.S. McLaren
Underwater & pet photographer
With contributions from
Read more
A smiling dog, a playful kitten with raised paws, and a dog wearing a pink hat against colored backdrops
"I have only one hand on my camera, as I’ve got a treat, a toy, or a squeaker in the other"
Photograph of Val in a canoe in Moab, Utah - shelter dog Val is taking part in Val's Greatest Adventure, a short film by the Dog Breath Foundation, founded by dog photographer Kaylee Greer to tell the stories of long-term shelter dogs in the US, with the goal of finding them new homes
Dog photographer Kaylee Greer traveled 10,000 miles to find owners for dogs that deserve a second chance
Wildlife portrait of a gannet in front of a clean green background
10 tips for wildlife photography from birds in flight to insect close-ups
A colorful bird perched on a branch with a blurred multicolored background
"I chose to edit this photo as close to reality as I remembered seeing it unfold in front of my eyes"
Puffin flying into a green field with purple flowers
5-minute photo tips: Bird photography do’s & don’ts
A close-up of a dew-covered spider web
Photographing spider webs on a cold morning is one of winter's big camera opportunities
Latest in Pet Photography
Photograph of Val in a canoe in Moab, Utah - shelter dog Val is taking part in Val's Greatest Adventure, a short film by the Dog Breath Foundation, founded by dog photographer Kaylee Greer to tell the stories of long-term shelter dogs in the US, with the goal of finding them new homes
Dog photographer Kaylee Greer traveled 10,000 miles to find owners for dogs that deserve a second chance
A smiling dog, a playful kitten with raised paws, and a dog wearing a pink hat against colored backdrops
"I have only one hand on my camera, as I’ve got a treat, a toy, or a squeaker in the other"
Category winner of the 2024 International Pet Photography Awards
Dogs, horses and cute cats (of course!) are winners in 2024 International Pet Photography Awards
A dog standing on a stone in front of a stone arch at the beach
"With dog photography, you generally want a low perspective – but, here, I followed a different strategy"
Capture the fun and expressions from your dog
Get down and dirty to get great photos of your dogs on their walk!
Canon Apprentice Pet Portrait Hotshot
10 pro photo tips for perfect pet portraits at home and outdoors
Latest in Tutorials
Total lunar eclipse
How I’ll photograph the blood moon total lunar eclipse tonight, one of the best astrophotography events of the year
Wildlife portrait of a gannet in front of a clean green background
10 tips for wildlife photography from birds in flight to insect close-ups
Mountain valley during sunrise. Natural summer landscape
9 landscape photography tips I think every photographer should know
Bride and groom hold hands aloft backlit against the sun on their wedding day
Want to be a wedding photographer? Here are my 11 tips that will help you get there the RIGHT way
Colourful trees frame a small river, photographed with a long exposure
I love to shoot long exposures in the rain – here’s why I head to the woods!
What is ISO in photography?