Pet Photography How-To’s: Mood-Altering Camera Angles

By Jenna Castello

Lots of people tell me how they struggle to capture how cute their dogs or cats really are, so I’m hoping these tips will help you take pictures that do your pets justice! Most of the advice I’ll give is geared toward taking pictures of dogs, but most of these tips will work for your cats or other pets too. I’ve tried to make these tutorials simple enough that anyone with a camera phone will find them useful, but I’m also including some more technical stuff for all you camera nerds out there (like me!) with big fancy dSLRs. So here we go – first up, Camera Angles!

Thinking about the angle you’re shooting at is a great place to start to give your pics some WOW factor. Read-on to learn more about 4 simple, but awesome angles to try!

Shoot Down

I don’t mean just point the camera down as your dog sits on the ground. I mean get close, practically stand over them and then shoot down. Then make sure to get his attention so he looks up at you with those adorable puppy-dog eyes.  This picture makes you feel that your pooch really is man’s best friend. You can almost hear him say through the picture “Pet me! I’ll do anything to get you to pet me!”

Quick Facts

• weight: 15 – 18 pounds
• height: 10 – 15 inches

Famous Jack Russell Terriers Include:

• “Nipper” – the RCA Dog

• “Moose” – aka “Eddie” from the TV show Frasier
• “Soccer” – aka “Wishbone” from the children’s television show Wishbone

• “Enzo” – from the movie My Dog Skip
• “Milo” – from the movie The Mask

Ideal Human Companions

• Seasoned dog enthusiasts
• Active, sporty types
• Families with older children

Trademark Traits

• Small and quick
• Athletic and agile
• Sprightly and intelligent
• Bold and confrontational
• Independent
• Crafty
• Resilient
• Sometimes testy

What They Are Like to Live With

Don’t be surprised by the small size: Jack Russell Terriers can be a handful. Freakishly athletic and bursting with energy, they have natural instinct to hunt, track and solve problems in the wild.

If you live in a city or the suburbs, your Jack Russell will want plenty of walks and excursions. In an apartment or small home, you’ll almost hear the “humming” energy of your JRT: They are perky, lively and fiercely protective of their environments. And they make great guard dogs: A stranger approaching the house will be met with relentless barking.

Not only are they useful, they can be—with the proper focus and training—excellent members of the family: loyal, loving and fun.

Things You Should Know

Jack Russell Terriers have a fierce, headstrong independence and need special attention to maintain an even keel. For this reason, some experts recommend that only experienced dog handlers should have one. Animal shelters around the country have plenty of unmanageable Jack Russells whose owners raised them untrained and unchecked.

Apartments are okay for Jack Russells, but a fenced-in yard is ideal—they love to bark and dig and chase small animals. However, a fenced-in yard will often not be enough for these dogs. Though small, they can leap very high and have been known to jump fences when they get bored and restless. On a walk, always keep them on a leash. They are incredibly fast, plus they have an intense curiosity and a fearlessness that could get them into trouble with bigger dogs.

Jack Russell Terriers get along fine with the whole family, but young children should be taught not to tease or hurt them.

A healthy Jack Russell can live as long as 15 years. Common health issues include cataracts and joint problems, but this is a solid breed with relatively few health issues.

Jack Russell Terrier History

Jack Russell, an English clergyman, developed the Jack Russell Terrier in the mid-1800s to hunt foxes and other small game. At this time, the dogs were called “fox terriers,” prized for their endurance on long hunts and ability to dig animals out of their dens. The term “Jack Russell Terrier” was coined after Rev. Russell’s death in order to distinguish the small working dogs from the existing “fox terriers,” which were larger. Even today, Jack Russell Terriers constitute a wide range of different types.

The Look of a Jack Russell Terrier

About as long as it is tall, a typical Jack Russell is small, sturdy and strong. Their heads are typically flat with some width at the ears, a medium-length muzzle, black nose, alert almond-shaped eyes, a strong jaw and muscular cheeks. They have muscular necks that slope down to a fairly shallow chest, strong front legs and muscular hindquarters. The tail is normally in proportion to body length, set high but not curled up. Jack Russell Terrier coats are smooth but tough enough to be protective, and the colors are typically white with black, tan or brown.

Ryan McGuire
Owner/Operator
SIT MEANS SIT Dog Training Temecula
Sorry, We Don’t Train Husbands, Wives, or Kids!

(951) 246-8223

temecula@sitmeanssit.com

Temecula Dog Park Sit Means Sit Dog Training Reviews Temecula 951.246.8223 life time dog training unlimited dog training private dog training in home temecula murrieta lake elsinore canyon lake Dog Training private in home Temecula Dog Training Temeula Dog obedience puppy training potty training dogs temecula california temecula valley murrieta menifee lake elsinore wildomar winchester dog training puppy obedience potty training Menifee Dog Park 951.246.8223 landscaping yard plants trees shrubs landscaping hemet perris sun city temecula valley fallbrook Palomar Mountain De Luz Canyon Lake dog training your beautiful yard dog kennel dog crate dog bowl dog training dog friendly dog grass dog leash dog aggression fearful dogs deaf dogs dog aggression timid Dogs old dogs young dogs puppy dogs shy dogs landscaping grass lifetime dog training dog boarding Temecula Doggy Daycare doggie boot camp board and train boarding facility private in home dog training private training obedience pottie training Potty Training puppy puppies puppy management dogs k9 k-9 canine Dock Dogs Dog Trainer Ryan McGuire 92003 92028 92059 92061 92066 92086 92518 92530 92531 92532 92536 9253992543 92544 92545 9254692548 92549 92561 9256292563 92564 92567 92570 92571 92572 92581 92582 92584 92585 92586 92587 92589 92590 92591 92592 92593 92595 92596 92599 92060 92082

Ideal Human Companions

• • Active, sporty types
  • Farmers and ranchers
  • Families
  • Experienced dog handlers

Trademark Traits

• • Protective
  • Sensitive
  • Obedient
  • Loving
  • Hard-working
  • Reserved

What They Are Like to Live With

The Belgian Malinois is a loyal, friendly and affectionate friend. It may have a strong working-dog background, but it craves companionship and family time above everything else. An alert and watchful companion to children, the Belgian Malinois really flourishes when given a steady dose of good-natured play, cuddling and conversation.

The Belgian Malinois is very protective of its family, property and territory, making it a passionate but restrained watchdog. It can be slightly reserved with new people, but tends to relax when it realizes there is no threat to the household. Like other herding breeds, the Belgian Malinois may “herd” family members and household guests occasionally.

This dog has a great work ethic. It responds well to commands, learns new tasks quickly and likes to get the job done. It’s no wonder that the Belgian Malinois is gainfully employed around the world as a police dog.

Things You Should Know

The Belgian Malinois was built to be busy. If you can’t provide a field of sheep for it to herd, you should provide consistent, positive training. From an early age, keep your Belgian Malinois busy, active and socially challenged. It truly thrives on love, attention, affection and tasks.

A healthy Belgian Malinois can live as long as 14 years. A relatively healthy breed, some Belgian Malinois can develop skin allergies, eye problems and hip dysplasia. It is also fairly easy to groom, needing only the occasional brushing. Be sure not to bathe it too often: Soap can remove its natural waterproofing.

Belgian Malinois History

Named for the Belgian city of Malines, the Belgian Malinois is one of the country’s four standard sheepdogs. A favorite among Belgian sheepherders, the Malinois was carefully bred to be resilient and dependable farm and field workers. Introduced to the United States in the

early 1900s, they did not truly catch on until the1960s. Today, the Belgian Malinois is celebrated for its herding, obedience, agility, work ethic and companionship.

The Look of a Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a light, graceful, square-built dog covered in a short, straight, weather-resistant coat that can come in fawn, red and mahogany—with or without black tips. It has a powerful, flat-topped head with a sharp muzzle, black nose and triangle-shaped ears that point straight up. Its dark brown eyes have an alert and intelligent expression. It has a thick neck, level back and a low-hanging tail. Overall, the Belgian Malinois exudes strength without stockiness.

Ryan McGuire
Owner/Operator
SIT MEANS SIT Dog Training Temecula
Sorry, We Don’t Train Husbands, Wives, or Kids!

(951) 246-8223

Temecula Dog Park Sit Means Sit Dog Training Reviews Temecula 951.246.8223 life time dog training unlimited dog training private dog training in home temecula murrieta lake elsinore canyon lake Dog Training private in home Temecula Dog Training Temeula Dog obedience puppy training potty training dogs temecula california temecula valley murrieta menifee lake elsinore wildomar winchester dog training puppy obedience potty training Menifee Dog Park 951.246.8223 landscaping yard plants trees shrubs landscaping hemet perris sun city temecula valley fallbrook Palomar Mountain De Luz Canyon Lake dog training your beautiful yard dog kennel dog crate dog bowl dog training dog friendly dog grass dog leash dog aggression fearful dogs deaf dogs dog aggression timid Dogs old dogs young dogs puppy dogs shy dogs landscaping grass lifetime dog training dog boarding Temecula Doggy Daycare doggie boot camp board and train boarding facility private in home dog training private training obedience pottie training Potty Training puppy puppies puppy management dogs k9 k-9 canine Dock Dogs Dog Trainer Ryan McGuire 92003 92028 92059 92061 92066 92086 92518 92530 92531 92532 92536 9253992543 92544 92545 9254692548 92549 92561 9256292563 92564 92567 92570 92571 92572 92581 92582 92584 92585 92586 92587 92589 92590 92591 92592 92593 92595 92596 92599 92060 92082