Do you have any great photos of your dog? Dogs can be hard to capture, particularly because they don’t like to keep still.

The holidays are a great time to take photos of your dog, chronicling his growth year after year. Unlike their owners, pets don’t know what we are asking of them – posing for the camera is not something they do every day. It’s hard for dogs to take selfies!

Here are some tips to help you create some great shots from Antoine Khater at All Day I Dream about Photography.

• Get your dog used to the camera as it is a foreign object. Let your dog sniff and watch you take pictures of other things.
• The first thing you must do is get the dog’s attention. Call his/her name or use a treat. It might be best to bring someone along to hold the treat while you take snapshots.
• Take the photos outside whenever possible. The flash can cause red eye and scare your dog. If you want to take a picture indoors by your holiday tree, use natural light from an outside window. If your pet is light colored, white fur will look washed out with a flash.
• Get on your dog’s level and take pictures from different angles for more interesting shots. Lie on your belly and remember to shoot from his eye level or below. See the world as he sees it. Take photos from above, below, in front, behind! Get up close so your dog fills the entire frame. Get even closer so you get the full effect of that long, wet nose. Photograph your dog head on, in profile, at 45-degree angles.
  An uncluttered background with neutral colors is ideal because it isn’t too distracting. You can fashion a background from any piece of fabric from your local craft store. Or even use a bed sheet.
• Capture your pet’s character and uniqueness. Does your dog have a favorite bone? A favorite place outside? A special way he stands when he’s happy? Remember, you’re making memories, so catch him when he’s happy. One way to get them to smile is after quick run or a game. An active dog is a happy dog.
• Want to have a professional photo taken? Is your dog a morning dog or an evening dog? Schedule a time when he’s at his best.
• Be patient. It may take some trial and error to get a good shot. Bring an extra battery in case.

Feeding your pet first is always a good idea if shooting portraits as it leaves them relaxed. Have fun with it. If you’re having fun, your dog will too! It may take 25 pictures to get one good one, but the more you take the better chance you will have of taking an amazing one.