Intention Driven Dog Photography by Jesse Freidin

{Today, I am pleased to introduce you to my first guest blogger, Jesse Freidin.  Jesse is a fine art dog photographer based in San Francisco.  I met him last summer at the Mutt Lynch Winery's Dog Days of Summer and became a big fan.  — Moira} 
As a professional fine art dog photographer, people have often asked me: “What exactly makes a photograph qualify as 'fine art?'  Is it the expensive equipment behind the image or the years of experience behind the artist? How can a photograph of a dog find inclusion is such a revered category?  And how can I make fine art portraits of my dog, too?”

First, let's define the term.  Fine art is art produced for beauty rather than utility.  For photography that means creating an artistic image instead of a commercial or photojournalistic one.  To me, fine art means one thing: intention.  Massive, overwhelming, passionate intention that leaps from the image and hits the viewer inside the chest with a burst of emotion.  Capturing and sharing these breathtaking feelings, seeing tears spring to my clients' eyes when they see the photographs of their beloved canines, hearing the catch in their breath as the images radiate the spirit and love of their companions — this is what drives and inspires me as an artist.

Intention then must be balanced with other elements like composition, relationship, and a strong dose of compassion.  A fine art dog portrait is the anti-snapshot.  It portrays a sense of undeniable devotion that captures the canine-human bond.

To help you along your own creative path, here are a few things you can keep in mind while photographing your canine companion:

• Intention.  Do you want to capture your pet's soulful gaze, sense of humor, or the sleek lines of his body in motion?  Dogs are like preschoolers.  They have a limited attention span so think about your goal before starting your photo session.

• Compose thoughtfully.  Place your dog in an environment that not only lights him well (near a window or inside an open doorway), but also celebrates his own personal style.  For example, when I photograph dogs with beautifully patterned coats, I purposefully place them near fun textures and patterns to highlight their unique appearances.

• Consider your relationship and try to capture it on film.  Intimacy comes from bringing your point of view to your subject's point of view.  Try lying on the floor while photographing your dog in his favorite bed or rolling around in the grass with your camera while you and your dog play tug.

Thoughtful intention combined with intimacy will produce an image that truly reflects the connection you have with your dog.  Believe me, this new sense of intentionality will help your images come alive.  Good luck and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty!

If you are a professional dog photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, I would love to hear any of your tips too.  Visit my website to see more of my work. — Jesse Freidin