How Do You Take Good Christmas Pictures With a Dog?
You take good Christmas pictures with a dog by setting up everything before the dog arrives, using natural light, and working fast. Dogs give you a few good minutes, so have your scene, outfit and treats ready first.
- Set the scene first. Arrange the tree, blanket, pillows or props before you bring your dog in.
- Use window light. Place your dog facing a large window during the day. Natural light makes fur look soft and eyes look bright. Turn off overhead lights to avoid yellow color.
- Get down to dog level. Kneel or lie on the floor so the camera is level with your dog's eyes.
- Hold a treat above the lens. Your dog will look straight at the camera. A squeaky toy or a funny noise gets the head tilt.
- Use burst mode or Portrait mode. Burst mode catches fast moments. Portrait mode blurs the background and makes Christmas lights glow.
- Tire your dog out first. A walk or play session before photos makes a calmer model.
- Keep it short. Ten minutes is plenty. End with praise and a treat so the next photo session is easier.
15 Dog Christmas Photo Ideas
- The classic tree portrait. Your dog sits in front of the Christmas tree with the lights on and the room lights off.
- The red plaid look. A red plaid Christmas dog bow tie on a white or cream blanket is a timeless dog Christmas card photo.
- Matching Christmas pajamas. The whole family wears matching plaid pajamas, and the dog wears a matching plaid bow tie or bandana.
- Peeking out of a gift box. Small dogs and cats look adorable in an open, empty gift box with tissue paper.
- Christmas morning chaos. Capture your dog "helping" open presents. Candid shots often become favorites.
- Hanging the stocking. Your dog sits beneath a stocking with their name on it.
- Snow day. If you have snow, a dark bow tie or bright red bandana stands out beautifully against white.
- Santa's helper. Your dog wears a Santa bow tie and sits next to a plate of (dog-safe) cookies.
- Cozy by the fire. Your dog curled up on a blanket near (not too close to) the fireplace.
- The velvet portrait. A red or green velvet dog bow tie with a dark background gives a rich, elegant holiday portrait.
- Dog and owner matching outfits. Wear a Christmas bow tie or tie in the same plaid as your dog's bow tie.
- Twinkle light bokeh. Hang string lights several feet behind your dog and use Portrait mode for glowing circles of light.
- The holiday walk. A photo from behind, with your dog trotting down a decorated street.
- Multiple pets lineup. Dogs and cats in coordinating Christmas bow ties sitting in a row. Bow ties make it easy to color-coordinate.
- The funny outtake card. Use the blooper (the yawn, the sneeze, the side-eye) on your dog Christmas card.
What Should My Dog Wear for Christmas Photos?
Your dog should wear something comfortable that shows up clearly in photos, like a Christmas dog bow tie, a holiday bandana or a light sweater. A collar bow tie is often the best choice for photos because it frames the face, does not cover the body, and takes seconds to put on.
- Christmas dog bow tie: Slips onto the collar with elastic loops. Most dogs ignore it, which means relaxed photos. Red plaid, buffalo plaid, velvet and Santa designs photograph best.
- Christmas dog bandana: A bigger pop of color for larger dogs. See our Christmas dog bandanas.
- Dog Christmas sweater: Cute for dogs who already wear clothes, but many dogs freeze up or try to wriggle out of one, which shows on camera.
The Bold Bow Tie handmakes Christmas dog bow ties and cat bow ties in sizes from Small to Extra Large, so every pet in the family photo can match.
Best Colors for Dog Christmas Photos by Coat Color
- Black dogs: Bright red, gold, emerald green or red-and-white stripes.
- White and cream dogs: Deep red, forest green, navy tartan or red velvet.
- Golden, tan and red dogs: Green plaid, navy or blue-and-green tartan.
- Brown and chocolate dogs: Red plaid, gold shimmer or wintergreen.
- Gray and merle dogs: Red, burgundy or red buffalo plaid.
Dog Christmas Card Ideas
A great dog Christmas card uses one strong photo, a short message and a little humor. Here are easy dog Christmas card captions:
- "Merry Christmas from the Good Boy (and his humans)"
- "Naughty? Nice? We'll let Santa decide."
- "Season's Greetings from our pack to yours"
- "Meowy Christmas" (for homes with cats in the photo)
- "Official Cookie Taster, reporting for duty"
Order outfits early. If you plan to use a dog Christmas photo on printed cards, take the photos in November or the first week of December so cards arrive on time.
Christmas Photo Safety Tips for Dogs
- Keep tinsel, ribbon, ornaments and light cords out of reach during and after the photo session.
- Keep holiday plants like holly, mistletoe, lilies and poinsettias away from pets.
- Never leave a dog alone while it wears any accessory, and remove bow ties and bandanas before naps or bedtime.
- Keep candles and fireplaces at a safe distance.
- Use dog-safe treats only. Chocolate, grapes, raisins and xylitol are dangerous for dogs.