The Smiles That Last
Have you ever noticed that when you come home from a long day of work, and you open the door, and there he is. The best boy. Your dog. And he… smiles?
If you have a dog, then you know what I mean. I don’t know if dogs actually smile, maybe they are panting, or showing their relief in anxiety, but they sure do look like they are smiling, don’t they?
What if you could capture that moment with a professional photographer and have the lasting memory forever?
Do Dogs Actually Smile?
The research shows that dogs imitate human emotions. So, when you are smiling and talking happily, your pet is imitating your facial features of your own happiness. This doesn’t mean they aren’t happy. Just that they know that is your sign of being happy, so they are wanting to show you the same.
When a dog is happy, they will relax their ears and their mouths. They will bounce their body and wag their tail loosely.
It is proven however, however, that dogs know that smiling creates a positive emotion. So they will continually do it to make you happy.
Catching The Perfect Smile
In photography, we want the perfect smile for all of our subjects. We want to capture the light in the eyes and the sweet happiness that is all encompassing. When it comes to dogs, the best way to do this is by being at ease with them. They can easily sense when you are unnerved and it is because of this that your reactions to the camera will be what makes their reaction to the camera.
It can’t be easy for them. They are with a new person, and that person has this little box thing that is pointed at them. This new person is calling to them to look over or moving around them. It can feel like they are being surveyed and this can cause emotions besides the happy ones we want to see. I suggest bringing some treats that they like.
Dogs Love To Perform
This is the truth for all dogs. They want to make their owners happy. If something brings their humans joy, they will do it again willingly, especially when they are getting rewarded. I don’t usually suggest toys, because this can make dogs anxious. They want to play with the toy and they can’t do that and sit nicely for a camera. Treats will make them repeat whatever it is that got them the treat in the first place, and they will be excited to get more praise.
I love to ensure that your dog has fun and is completely relaxed. Dogs will easily show when they are unhappy, nervous or stressed. We want to create an environment that is equal to them being as happy as when you come in from being away all day long at work. The truth is that dogs will do what you ask them, and though patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to pet photography, together we can ensure you get the perfect photo.