Tracy Petsitter

How to Take Better, Instagram-Worthy Photos & Videos of Your Beloved Dog

Post by Susan Peterson

Photo by Helena Lopes, courtesy of Freepik

There’s a difference between snapping a photo of your dog and capturing them—really catching a moment that feels alive, funny, soulful, or strange in a way only your dog can be. Most of us have phones full of accidental blurs, weird shadows, or a tail disappearing out of frame. But getting better pet content doesn’t mean chasing perfection or learning to edit like a pro. It just means knowing what to look for, what to wait for, and how to see your dog the way others will see them online. With a few smart shifts—timing the light, getting closer, editing just enough—you can turn the ordinary into something worth sharing. Here’s how to start.

Light first, always

Instead of waiting until after you shoot to fix bad exposure, start with soft diffused natural lighting https://animalvideopro.com/pet-video-lighting/ at the very beginning. That single choice sets up everything else. Harsh sun or overhead bulbs throw awkward shadows and create that dreaded washed-out look. By using window light in the morning, shaded patios in the afternoon, or golden hour on a walk, you’ll see your dog’s fur detail and eye sparkle pop without filters. Good light wraps around your dog, brings out texture, and softens everything in the frame—like nature’s own portrait filter.

Fix the flaws, don’t fake the moment

Sometimes you get a perfect frame… except for the weird shadow, the crooked crop, or the photobombing trash can in the background. In the middle of your workflow you can simply use an edit photo online tool to highlight the core of the moment. Brighten eyes, adjust contrast, clean up edges—no deep tech skills required. The best editing tools keep the soul of the image intact while tightening the parts that distract.

Get closer than you think

Too many pet photos are taken from across the room, like you’re afraid to interrupt the moment. Midway through your shooting, remember to frame the shot tightly to center the emotion and eliminate distractions. Crouch low, match their eye level, and fill the screen with face, fur, or movement. Cluttered backgrounds vanish when you shoot with intention, and this shift alone transforms snapshots into scroll-stoppers.

Let the bond do the work

Here’s what separates a cute dog video from one people share with a caption like “This made me cry.” It’s not the dog alone. Start filming with your phone already rolling and only at the end of the moment emphasize how you show interaction with owner — the paw on your leg, the lean into your chest, the nudge of your hand. These glimpses of connection hold weight; they reveal trust, dependence, and joy without words. That’s the stuff people stick around for.

Emotion over perfection

You don’t need the cleanest background or the fanciest filter to connect with someone. Early in your planning, think about how you can leverage emotional vulnerability — moments where your dog fails hilariously, surprises you with sweetness, or shows frustration, hesitation, even a little fear. Capture the stumble, not just the trick. Show the transformation, not just the final pose. That arc—the emotional rise or drop—is what hooks viewers and makes your post more than a pretty picture.

Trim like a storyteller, not a documentarian

A raw 90-second video of your dog sniffing the same tree might be accurate, but no one’s watching that. As you finish editing, knowing how to trim unnecessary footage fast keeps your post lean, punchy, and more engaging. Hold on the moment where their ears perk up, but drop the five seconds of them licking their paw unless it adds something. Pace matters. Rhythm keeps people watching.

Keep it smooth when it counts

Whether your dog is chasing a ball, diving into the lake, or just running wild, motion creates magic—and chaos. At the start of your shoot, think stabilization first. You can anchor your elbows, lean into a tree, or stabilize motion with gimbal gear to make moving shots feel cinematic. Smooth movement doesn’t mean stiff—it means intentional. It makes viewers feel like they’re in the moment, not watching someone wrestle with their phone on a windy day.

Some of the best photos and videos don’t start with a plan. They start with a dog doing dog things—sniffing, barking, rolling, staring into space. You’re just there to notice when it turns into a story. And when it does? Frame it well, light it naturally, catch the emotion, and edit like someone who knows when to stop. You don’t need perfection. You need honesty, rhythm, and love—and a dog who’s just being themselves. The rest is just knowing where to point the lens.

Susan Peterson knows very well that furry friends make the perfect companions for almost every adventure. She has two adopted pups of her own who love a good road trip, whether they’re hitting the trails for a camping trip or just heading to the local pet bakery. Whether you love to travel, suffer from depression or anxiety, or simply want a friend to enjoy daily outings with, a pet is the perfect partner and EasyToLovePets.com offers advice on how to give your furry friend the best life possible.

Discover the peace of mind that comes with exceptional pet care by visiting Tracy Pet Sitter today!

#petsittinglife #lifewithadog #pets #pettravel #nomadlife #digitalnomad

Hiring a Pet Sitter? What to know

Photo Copyright © 2025 Tracy Corral, Tracy Petsitter

Know what you're getting when you hire a professional pet sitter. In the United States, millions of pets are lost each year. National holidays such as New Year's Eve & July 4 are an especially fraught times of the year — lots of social activities and loud firework displays are just two of the reasons pets disappear from their homes. So, what does this have to do with pet sitting?

A professional pet sitter will follow best practices for keeping your pet safe while you are away from home.

Safety Precautions - Pet Parent

• Keep windows and doors closed when you're not home.
• Make sure your pet is chipped & licensed with your city or county.
• Let the pet sitter know if you have a Houdini who has escaped the house before.
• Allow the pet sitter to (if possible), enter by the garage door. That way, the garage door will be shut before the door to the house is opened.
• Ask your dog walker to take your dog out at off-times — when there are fewer people on the streets and sidewalks.
• Make sure your dog has a well-fitted harness & a good quality leash - no retractable leashes.
• Of particular note especially for New Year's Eve, don't trust e-collars around fireworks or thunder storms.

Safety Precautions - Pet Sitter

• When entering the house, an aware pet sitter will always assume the pet is right at the door, trying to get out.
• Before a visit, the pet sitter will take note of the fences/gates to be sure they are latched/closed properly.
• Once back inside with your pup is safely (and the door is closed securely), a professional pet sitter will make sure all the doors and windows are closed and locked.

Finally, a good petsitter will keep in contact with the pet parent, either via text, email, or phone, so that the pet parent can be confident in the care their pet is getting.

#petsittinglife #lifewithadog #dogwalking #petsrule

Contact me

Schedule a free meet-&-greet so we can get to know each other and your pet can get to know me!

Schedule a Visit