Overview
Have you ever tried to photograph a dog who just won’t sit still? Or a dog who shuts down the moment the camera comes out?
You’re not alone. In this course, you’ll learn exactly how to help different types of dogs feel safe, focused, and ready for their portrait session. We’ll show you how to understand the dog in front of you, adapt your approach quickly, and choose posing techniques that genuinely suit their temperament.
By the end of this course, you'll have the confidence and understanding to handle any dog calmly and efficiently - making your sessions smoother, more enjoyable, and allowing you to open your doors to a wider range of clients.
Why our approach?
If a dog gets spooked with your flash lighting, or they wont sit still for their portrait no matter how many times the owner says "sit" - no amount of technical knowledge will recover your session.
This course combines dog behaviour theory with practical, accessible and realistic posing techniques. You’ll learn not just what to do to get a dog to pose, but WHY it works - giving you the confidence to adapt your approach to any dog that walks into your studio.
This course has been reviewed with input from a qualified dog behaviour professional to ensure the approach remains responsible, appropriate, and aligned with best practice.
What is the course?
This is the essential toolkit for photographers who want to photograph dogs more confidently and quickly - even if they are nervous, overstimulated or untrained.
You’ll learn how to:
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Read and respond instantly to dog behaviour and body language
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Manage the environment to reduce stress and avoid overwhelm
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Use positive associations and motivators that actually work
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Guide owners so they help rather than hinder the session
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Capture authentic expressions without force, frustration, or pressure
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Create studio quality photographs anywhere, and with any dog
Entry Requirements
This course is suitable for:
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Pet photographers of all levels
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Anyone doing live events, pop-ups or studio sessions with unfamiliar dogs
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Photographers who are venturing into the pet space
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Experienced photographers who want to open their doors to more dogs
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Anyone who has ever said “this dog just isn’t listening”
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Photographers who want to create ethical sessions with dogs to be genuinely happy, safe, and confident in front of the camera
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Photographers who are working in rescue settings with nervous and untrained dogs.
A Preview of the Course
You’ll discover why dogs behave the way they do, and learn simple, practical strategies to manage your studio or pop-up environment.
By creating a calm, structured space, dogs are more likely to relax, engage, and pose naturally for your camera.
1. Dog Behaviour Theory
You’ll learn how to guide dog owners and families with children effectively.
By setting clear expectations and providing calm, confident direction, you’ll ensure both dogs and their humans contribute to a smooth, enjoyable session.
2. Guiding the Humans
You’ll learn how to read and understand the temperament and motivations of every dog that comes into your studio.
This knowledge lets you confidently choose the right techniques for each dog and select poses that highlight their personality.
3 Photographing ANY dog
Alex and Harry have created a course that is insightful, compassionate, and incredibly mindful of every step of the process when photographing dogs - the environment, the humans, and of course the dogs themselves.
Their experience and passion for their work is apparent in every module, and they have produced a piece of education that goes so much further than just 'how to teach a dog to sit and stay'; it will help anyone who takes this course photograph dogs in a way that helps them flourish and feel comfortable, without force, coercion, or stress.
I know that my favourite photos of my own dogs aren't perfectly posed and forced; they're the ones where their personalities shine through, and I think what Alex and Harry have created will help more photographers achieve that. I think this course is essential for anyone who would like to get into dog photography!
Alyssa - Better Nature Dog Training | CSAT, ABTC-ATI, MAPDT
