WORK IN THE STUDIO

Stay inside for greater lighting control and subject position

Although working in a studio arguably offers less distractions, you still need to catch the attention of pets and limit the amount of noise, other animals and people. That being said, a helper (such as the owner) can be vital for keeping frantic pets calm and in position.

Studio lighting can be a confusing subject, but for most pros, the aim is to use external lights to bring out fur detail and catchlights in the eyes. Be mindful as you shoot light-coloured pets, as their highlights are easily blown out. Dark-coloured dogs can appear grey, too, so keep an eye on the white balance and set it manually.

James Kelly (www.jameskellystudio.com) is a professional commercial and lifestyle photographer, but also shoots dog studio portraits full of character (www.blackhound. co.uk). “Trying to capture their personality is a challenge I love. My advice is to have lots of patience.”

James’ approach is to take lots of breaks, and treat it as a fun session. “For me it’s all about getting that perfect stare down the lens, and I’ll often find myself laying on the floor straining my neck just to get low enough to capture the pose I want.” He likes to mix up his flash setup depending on his location. “I always use my main strobe which is a Godox AD600BM,” he says. “Indoors and out, it is battery powered so I can take it to any location or a client’s house without worrying about needing power.” A high-speed strobe is ideal for capturing the dog catching a treat or licking their lips. “I’ll sometimes pair the main strobe with a couple of Godox V860 IIC flashguns, which are used for lighting the backdrop and adding an extra bit of fill light.”

When we talk about using a studio, this could also cover a home environment. Don’t be afraid to use subtle window light, or keep things simple with a one-light setup. If you’ve got time to photograph your own pets as and when they behave, play around with one softbox at different heights. The size of a light and its distance from your subject will affect its intensity and final effect.

“My advice is to have lots of

patience”