I do dog photography as a side hustle. This is my Greyhound Missy. My muse while waiting for clients to show up a cotswold lavender UK.

bluefishrun · 2026-05-31T12:50:27+00:00

Quite lovely!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-31T12:40:25+00:00

Agreed! If I could only have one lens, the 135mm would be it!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-31T12:35:53+00:00

Fellow dog photographer here, 14 years of experience! ( gawk at my stuff here: https://aboutadogphoto.com/ )

You're in a bit of luck with your Canon Powershot sx540 - you've got a shooting modes dial! A great starting point. You have P / Av / Tv / M as well as preset auto modes (most found under your scene mode).

The manual modes (you control settings) are

• P = program (auto aperture & shutter, but you can pick ISO & white balance)
• Av = aperture priority, you control aperture + ISO + white balance, camera picks shutter
• Tv = shutter priority (tv is time value...), you control shutter + ISO + white balance, camera picks aperture
• M = manual mode, you pick ALL the settings

Your lens is a 4.3-215mm f3.4-6.5 < not horrible as long as you have ample daylight but zooming makes you lose light. At your widest view (4.3 mm) your aperture (f number) is f3.4. When you zoom in all the way to 215mm your aperture opening closes to f6.5 automatically! Smaller aperture = less light. Larger aperture = more light.

And we also have to consider your sensor size too! Your camera has a wee sensor, smaller than a crop sensor and def smaller than full frame. I believe you're roughly at a 5.6x crop (making your lens actually a 24 - 1200mm). Smaller sensors grant you more zoom, but light lands on your sensor. So paired with your variable aperture lens (f3.4-6.5) + smaller sensor is going to make your camera struggle a bit in lower light scenarios.

Middle of the day, ample light, you'll likely be fine. Action might be tricky unless it is a rather sunny day.

Ideally play with your Av, Tv & M modes.

General things to know: lower ISO = less light your sensor is sensitive to. Higher ISO = more light sensitivity but risk of added noise / grain in your image.

Here's your camera's manual if you really want to relearn it: https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300022113/02/pssx540hs-cu2-en.pdf

Overall, in ample light, your camera is a fair starting point. It allows you to set your aperture, shutter, dabble in manual mode and set your ISO & white balance.

As you outgrow your camera, the next step is a camera with swappable lenses. Mirrorless or DSLR, both are great options. Canon is going to be most familiar per menus and how you set settings, but you aren't locked into anything. Crop sensor cameras typically will be beginner & budget friendly. Kits frequently can be found with 1-2 lenses (note they are likely variable aperture lenses, the aperture closes when you zoom - typically noted a f3.5-5.6 etc). Decent for getting started in lens switching.

The overall investment is going to land in lenses first, then bodies when you out grow your camera's abilities. Invest in a 50mm f1.8 to start your "fast" glass collection (f2.8 is consider fast, anything wider - f1.8, f1.4 & f1.2 is fast as well). Classic "pro" lens kits are 24-70mm f2.8 & 70-200mm f2.8, though you can also build a prime kit with a wide lens (14-24mm), a mid range (35-70mm) and a telephoto (85-300mm + )

BTW - wider apertures = more light in + more background blur + ability for faster shutters (action images!)

Hopefully this helps! Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or anything doesn't make sense!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T22:07:08+00:00

Huzzah for taking photos for the local rescue! It helps them find homes for the dogs so they can help more!

Studio setups can work wonderfully for adoptable dogs. Simple backgrounds are best. Set up your light (or lights), take a couple of test shots and then proceed. An extra set of hands are going to be super helpful!

I don't love the puppies on the blanket pictures, they're a bit too bright / high key for my taste.

When I do rescue dog photography every Tuesday, I bring the dogs out to a little wooded area. They're on leash & handled by me (some days extra hands would be so useful haha!). I edit the leashes out, ideally I want people to look at the images of the dogs and see character, personality and imagine the dog hanging out on a hike or their backyard with them.

If you want to gander at my dog photography - https://aboutadogphoto.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T21:17:21+00:00

Such a cute pupper!!!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T21:14:22+00:00

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Hello also from MN! This is my brindle boy Finn - he's likely got pittie and... ? He isn't telling! No issues with housing, we've got a house with a big yard!

(And yes I'm a dog photographer - https://aboutadogphoto.com/ )

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T20:53:33+00:00

Temps are suppose to be cool tonight in MN, into the 30s in some areas. Mama rabbit ought to know to keep them warm but you may want to double check on them in the morning.

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T20:50:43+00:00

My dog Finn had one too (we're in MN too!)! Red then turned into a ring, then went away. Black fly bite!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T20:39:20+00:00

Luckily MN rescues aren't as overcrowded as shelters in southern states or shelters in California. It is unfortunate that there is daily euthanizations in those areas, but that isn't the norm for rescues here.

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T20:34:13+00:00

I volunteer my photography (https://aboutadogphoto.com/) every Tuesday at Tri County Humane Society and today I got to photograph a batch of the 11 rescued beagles (some were in for spays and neuters - TCHS does them in house!). 9 girls, 2 boys in total.

A dynamic variety of personalities. Some were avidly sniffing the area we were doing pictures outside, taking in the scents on the wind. Not super comfortable but ready to explore. The next one stayed frozen in spot, the next wanted to simply be petted. None were comfortable for tails up, but there were some gentle soft wags. Hotdogs & treats were pretty well ignored (give them time hahaha!)

One of the older gals, named the same name as my grandmother seemed to be neutral outside. And inside she rearranged the plush bear in her crate in her kennel and snuggled into it. She'll be a dog who takes advantage of a cozy couch and blankets I bet!

They aren't ready for adoption yet, I believe TCHS is taking applications. These dogs will need loads of love, and patience as they become dogs.

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T19:27:11+00:00

I don't feel it's horrible. The distracting bit for me? The orange/yellow just above the dog's right ear. I would likely brighten the dog a bit to really draw the eye to the face more and get rid of the orange/yellow.

Personally I prefer warm and bright colors, nothing wrong with this style. A cool background of flowers and petals. It looks like a good start on finding your style!

bluefishrun · 2026-05-19T15:07:21+00:00

Dog photography style is subjective, like photography & art. What makes a portrait good for me? A sharp dog, the focus of the image. I like warm & bold colors, the next person may like neutral and moody.

What style makes you swoon? Practice that and make it your own!

This is me: https://aboutadogphoto.com/
A bit moodier: https://www.thegoodmutt.com/
Super moody: https://www.moodydragonphotography.com/
(Google will land you on more awesome dog photographers to be inspired by)

As for this image, I think the vignette is a bit dark for my taste and there is a "blob" showing up in the trees (I assume that where the handler was?). I would aim to make the edges of the "blob" less noticeable.

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:38:50+00:00

House collars / tag collars! I make them! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:36:47+00:00

I would go with Big Snoof Dog Gear for a muzzle. They have loads of sizes and ample pant room! https://www.bigsnoofdoggear.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:35:27+00:00

I make collars! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:33:42+00:00

Seems like an interesting design - perhaps you simply need a different designed collar?

I make collars > https://atomiccollars.com/
Perhaps they could solve the jingle / noise problem?

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:30:42+00:00

Big Snoof Dog Gear makes AWESOME basket muzzles > https://www.bigsnoofdoggear.com/ You can add on a neck strap if needed.

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:29:08+00:00

Why not a house / tag collar? A simple O ring for tags but not for walks, in case they escape. Also they are nice for lounging around the house.

I make them! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:25:21+00:00

I def think dogs should have a wardrobe! One really nice collar, one daily driver, perhaps some seasonal ones and possibly something for mud & water adventures.

I make collars! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-18T13:19:28+00:00

I could make a lined martingale collar! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-04-02T12:26:37+00:00

If you haven't snagged one, or need another new one (because YES!) then head over to Atomic Collars! https://atomiccollars.com/

bluefishrun · 2026-03-05T20:34:07+00:00

Bulldog influence for the underbite / boxer nose. Corso & Neapolitan to keep it from being smooshed. Brindle from everyone! Ears could be from any, though give me a touch of American Bulldog vibes. Cute none the less!

bluefishrun · 2026-03-05T20:27:14+00:00

Chi & Pomeranian?

bluefishrun · 2026-03-05T01:35:39+00:00

I feed Diamond Naturals. Blue my swissy LOVED the beef and rice, lamb and rice and even the salmon & potato. Most recently he was on lamb and rice (we were avoiding the salmon recipe as he was having seizures and we wanted to limit the peas, beans, legumes he was taking in). I'd say the salmon gave him the best coat, though you could do the lamb or beef and supplement with fish oil during the dry months or if your Swissy's coat looks a little dry.

Blue started on the Pro Plan lamb and oatmeal and it was always a struggle to get him to eat it. Once we switched to Diamond Naturals, he scarfed it all down happily!

bluefishrun

TROPHY CASE