Tips on How to Photograph Your Black Dog

Both as a pet photographer and as an owner of a black dog, I know how frustrating it can feel to try to get the perfect photo of them. Whether it be they just look like a black bob or you can’t see their eyes – the struggle is real! It also makes it difficult because not all black coats photograph the same way. I encounter a lot of dogs whose black coat leans into a blue tint, which is picked up through photos, while others may experience a color cast or be more contrasty than other dogs.

There are a lot of factors that affect the way your dog photographs, and while there are ways to accommodate them, hiring a professional pet photographer is the best way to handle it. That way, you’re not stressing yourself out over capturing the best photo, plus you’ll be able to hop in some of the photos yourself!

Things like backdrops and lighting can make all the difference when it comes to photographing your black dog! Different backdrop colors create different levels of contrasts and color casts, while good lighting can be the key to bringing out your pup’s unique features and fur textures.

Finding the best lighting is so important when photographing your black dog; however, you want to be careful because sometimes there is a thing as TOO MUCH light, such as a flash, which can create unflattering reflections on your dog’s black coat. While other times, too harsh of lighting can turn your dog into a moving black blob, or hide their beautiful eyes. Especially in long-haired black dogs, their eyes can easily become hard to find, which is why I recommend getting your dog groomed within a week of your pet session. You should want to show off all their best features!

Hiring a professional dog photographer can be your key to success when photographing your black dog. You’ll not only be able to get the best photos of your dog but also some of the two of you together – it’s the best way to create cherished memories with them.

Check out my blog “Why You Should Photograph Your Dog Before They Turn 10” to learn about why documenting your dog is so important. Especially in black dogs, once they start going grey, it becomes so much more noticeable that they’re aging. This blog tells you about how to navigate creating a timeline when it comes to updating your pup’s portrait.