Photo: Amanda Jones

So Fetch
In 20 years of photographing dogs for pet owners and personal projects, Amanda Jones has seen it all: blasé boxers, out-of-control Chihuahuas, and one gastrointestinally challenged bulldog. Not that the shutterbug—whose latest book, Unleashed, includes more than 100 portraits of pooches in the great outdoors—is complaining. Want to snap a memorable pic of your good boy or girl? Jones shares her top tips.

Aim Low
"Meet your pup at eye level, so you're not just staring at her from above. This can be tricky because if you crouch, your dog might want to come straight to you. In that case, stand up, lower your camera, and just shoot that way."

Sound Off
"Feel free to make funny noises to get your dog's attention. I do a crazy laugh—a high-pitched hyena sound that's a little sinister and witchy. Sometimes I meow, sometimes I squeak, and sometimes I sing hello. It takes some trial and error. If you simply can't get them to look at you, don't worry! I love getting bits of a dog, like the chin or ears. And a belly shot is always adorable."

Be Patient
"Don't push a shot. As soon as you start commanding ‘Sit! Stay! Don't move!' their ears will go down and they'll get uncomfortable. If things aren't working out in the moment, try again in an hour."

Shoot Straight
"The simpler the portrait, the better. A black dog in a white, snowy field is perfect. Adding a Santa hat to the picture? Not so much."
Published 06/30/2017