Tips for taking pictures of stranger dogs

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I know, this is a weird title but I felt like I should post about my experiences in taking pictures of dogs on the street. It’s always an awkward thing to do and I’m still getting used to it, but I can’t resist taking pics of fashionable dogs in Toronto and just any dog I find cute. 

Here are some tips for taking pics of dogs with strangers:

1) If possible, ask the owner if you can take a picture of the dog instead of just from a distance.  I am still scared sometimes to ask for pictures but I know I look like a total creep. It’s a LOT less creepy to ask and the pictures will turn out 100x better. 

2) If a dog is waiting for its owner, maintain a distance. I am normally VERY wary of taking pictures of dogs on their own because the person may see and think you’re trying to steal the dog (it happens a lot!) or you may frighten it and it could bark or bite. 

3) Express lots of enthusiasm for the dog and compliment it’s outfit/say how cute it is/how your parents had that breed, etc. Obviously be truthful (if it’s a bulldog, I admit that my mom had a bulldog and loves them) and this will make the person more cooperative in helping you get a shot.

4) I find the dog’s owner is key. Dogs that are strangers won’t normally cooperate with you, so if they are cool with it, ask if the owner can either stand behind you to get the dog’s attention or get the person to hold the dog (to make it more comfortable).  

5) I also try NOT to use my flash whenever possible as it may frighten the dog. 

6) I will only take around 4 shots MAX because I don’t want to start annoying the person but it’s good to get multiple pics because at least 1 may be good (the rest will probably be crap).

Anyways, I hope this helps and I’ve attached a photo of a bulldog that I actually followed with her owner into The Beer Store along Queens Quay. I couldn’t resist its outfit and underbite! To make this photo better, I should have used a flash (but didn’t want to scare it) and have the guy hold her earlier (I had already taken a couple shots of her standing but she kept moving so they didn’t turn out).  It was actually his suggestion that he hold her so that was a great help!