How to Narrow Your Image Selection When You Love Them All

Jan 20

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It’s not always easy to select your final images

When you book a Pup Portrait session, you get to pick your favorite images. Rather than picking out the photos I think your pup looks the cutest in, I let you make the selections.

After all, you know your pup better than anyone! Every pup is different and their personality will shine through in their portraits. So, of course you. should get to pick out the ones that show off your Doggo in the light that looks most familiar!

After your session, you’ll (usually) have anywhere from 20 - 40 images per backdrop color to choose from. While I take a lot more than that, I don’t include images that:

Aren’t in focus
Aren’t exposed properly (like if my flashes didn’t fire)
Are nearly identical to other pictures on the same background color

With that in mind, you still have a lot of portraits to choose from. The number of final images that are included in your package vary, but it can be tricky to pick out the perfect ones — I mean, your dog looks so frickin’ cute in ALL of them!

Here is how I help clients (and their humans) pick out their portraits!

START WITH A PLAN

The way you plan to display your portraits should have an impact on the images you’ll select. If you want to an 8x10 print for your desk and a 5x7 for your mom’s coffee table (I mean, your dog is her grandchild…), you’ll want to select a photo with a wider crop since 8x10 is closer to being a square than a 5x7.

Use this same concept when planning a gallery wall or one statement canvas or print. Measure the space you want to hang the portrait and step back to take the whole area in while envisioning the print. I like to outline the print with painter’s tape!

CONSIDER THE CROP

As mentioned above, the crop is important! You’ll notice in your selection gallery that there are several photos that feature the same ‘pose’ or facial expression but are cropped differently.

Off-center crops are intentional to make the overall image more naturally appealing for your eye. The Rule of Thirds implanted into The Dog Photog images leave negative space (extra backdrop space) around your pet. This creates a more playful or dramatic (depending on the image) style to the print.

There’s no right or wrong — it’s totally up to you!

DON’T MAKE YOURSELF PICK

If you are really having a hard time narrowing down your selections, you don’t have to! You have the option to purchase additional images outside of your package allotment so you don’t have to settle.

This is especially great when your is especially cute and every photo makes you squeal with delight. And seriously… who are we kidding? All of your pup portraits are incredibly cute!