Dixie Deux & Dixie Darlin' The Yorkie Puppies (Click to enlarge)
You just have to be patient. And really, in some cases you don’t even have to be too patient. Surprise is a tactic. Meet Dixie and Darlin’. Could they have been any cuter? Again – we just get the cutest folks in our studio…it almost doesn’t seem fair to the rest of you, huh 
Here’s the deal. You can have all the equipment in the world, but without patience, you’ll get a memorable shot once in a while just because it was random luck, but you won’t get any consistency. When you begin a session, either in your home or in your studio, take your time to get everyone comfortable, then move quickly getting the first shots. It is right in the beginning when those little sweethearts are trying to figure it all out and some of those expressions are priceless. Tongues in, eyes open and ears up…or up and down, like Dixie’s. Did you miss it? That’s okay. Just stay very patient. It will be the human companions who will be ready to give up way before their dogs do, so you’ll have to assure them that it’s all good. If you can help the humans have a good time, even though you’ll be working them, the dogs will be more relaxed.
If it seems as if nothing is working, let the dogs have a break. A potty break — 9 times out of 10 when dogs won’t settle they need to have a potty break. Even when the human companion says they just went, try to encourage them to take them out again. I find that dogs may get a little nervous and have to go again, but don’t want to empty on the floor.
As Dixie and Darlin’ were wearing their summer finest, we wanted to see the ruffles, so we posed them back to front. For more on that method read the Posing Dogs In Sports Jerseys post. Note that in that post I mention dogs with shorter necks; here’s an example of that. These little puppies’ necks are not as long as an adult neck so we posed them not exactly facing backwards, but just a little bit to camera right.
As always, post your questions or images here. Or just write to let me know if the topics I’m covering are helping you. No? Then suggest something; I’d love to help. My point in keeping this blog is to take the mystery out of good pet photography. I understand many of you don’t care about being professionals. That’s okay. It’s important to improve your own images so one day you’ll have many shots which will give you joy or heal your heart.
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