Why Are Dogs More Photogenic Than People?
Let’s face it, cameras don’t lie. They capture exactly what’s in front of them. No judgement, no excuses, it is an objective account. For many humans, this is a deeply unsettling truth - sorry.
Seeing a photo of yourself can feel a bit like hearing your own voice on a recording — "Do I really look/sound like that?" Yes, you do. But don’t panic; you’re beautiful, I promise!
The trouble is, to appear photogenic, you need to relax and have fun in front of the camera. Easier said than done, right? Most of us are too busy worrying about how others will view the photo, already bracing for an imaginary round of social media judgment. “How's my chin? Is my smile authentic looking? Is this my best angle?”
The truth is, being present and carefree is the secret to photogenic magic. Think of those candid wedding photos when you did not know the picture was being taken. But being carefree is hard when self-consciousness is lurking in the wings.
Now, let’s talk about dogs. Dogs don’t worry about angles. They’re not stressed about their fur looking frizzy, if their ears are symmetrical, or how that line of drawl which was hanging from their mouth is now somehow magically swung all over their nose. Dogs are fully present. If your dog feels secure, stimulated, and excited, no camera will mess up their day!
That is why a dog photoshoot should never be a performance; it’s a game. Whatever their currency is - that squeaky toy, those treats, the scratch just there, that voice you put on - the focus should be helping them bond and be stimulated on their terms.
This a guiding principle of my photoshoots. Dogs just want to play and bond, and that pure authenticity can translate into beautiful photos.
So what can we learn dogs here?
Go for it! Let rip! Be you! Own your wonderfully perfect imperfections. My favourite photos of myself are not the posed work headshots. They are the hugs with the wife, naps the dog's, post run sweety mess, wrestles with nephews.
The best photoshop retouch technique is to smile. Don’t take photos as a document of facts, capture moments and stories. That means forget the camera is there, just make happy absorbing moments… and click!