Over the past decade of photographing dogs—from playful puppies to wise senior pets—I’ve refined my toolkit. Through countless sessions and invaluable lessons from dog photography communities, I’ve discovered which gear makes all the difference in capturing the magic of a dog’s personality

This equipment helps me the most in capturing great images of dogs.

HIGH-SPEED SHUTTER AND BURST MODE

A high-speed shutter ensures I never miss a moment, even when your dog is running at full tilt. This feature lets me capture those fleeting expressions—the joyful glint in their eyes or the way their ears bounce in the wind—without any blur.

Burst mode allows me to shoot multiple frames in a second, which is key when photographing dogs in action. Whether it’s a leap into the air or a playful shake after a swim, capturing a sequence of images ensures I get that perfect split-second moment of joy.

TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

A telephoto zoom lens helps me maintain a comfortable distance from dogs who are reactive or shy, while still capturing their expression with precision. This is particularly useful for off-leash or nervous dogs that need their space. I can zoom in without disrupting their natural behavior, keeping them calm and comfortable.

WIDE-ANGLE LENS

Another piece of dog photography gear I use is the wide-angle 24-70mm lens to capture both close-ups and full-body shots. This lets me change the focal length instead of moving around, which helps keep dogs in their poses.

LEARN MORE

To see a few pictures of me using these lenses, head to my About page.

Curious about the rest of my kit and how I handle different dog personalities in a session? Stay tuned for an upcoming blog where I’ll share more behind-the-scenes tools that make every session a success. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any questions!