Seven Tips for Taking Better Snow Photos of your Dogs
I love shooting in the snow! Many dogs, mine included, have a blast playing in it, and it makes everything look so beautiful.
But photographing dogs in the snow can be tricky. Snow is bright, which confuses your camera, making it hard to get the correct exposure in your photo. If you’ve ever taken a photo where the snow looks gray, you know exactly what I mean. And if you’re trying to take photos of your dog while it’s actively snowing, things get even harder.
Here are seven tips to help you take better snow photos of your dogs, whether they’re running through it, catching snowballs, or just enjoying the winter weather.
1. Increase Your Exposure to Avoid Dull, Gray Snow
Cameras want everything to look middle gray, so when they see a mostly white scene, they automatically darken it. That’s why snow often looks gray in photos.
Increase your exposure compensation by one to two stops to fix this. Watch your histogram and make sure your highlights aren’t clipping. If they are, it means you’ll lose detail in that area and it will look pure white.
When the snow looks clean and bright, everything else in your photo falls into place, whether your dog is white, black, or somewhere in between.
2. Use the Snow as a Clean, Distraction-Free Backdrop
Fresh snow creates a beautiful natural studio. Shoot from a slightly higher angle so the background becomes clean and simple — just your dog and the snow. This eliminates distractions and makes your dog the clear focus while still giving the photo a timeless winter feel.
3. Capture the Snow on Your Dog’s Face and Fur
I love how dogs look when they have snow on their faces or fur. Photos like this help tell the story because you can see they’ve been playing in it. Snow on noses, ears, and whiskers adds texture and gives the photo more visual interest.
4. If It’s Actively Snowing, Take A Lot of Shots
When it’s snowing hard, your camera may lock onto falling snowflakes instead of your dog. You’ll end up with photos where the snowflakes are sharp, but your dog is not.
The solution is simple: take more photos than you think you need. Shoot in burst mode and expect that some frames won’t be sharp. If your dog isn’t moving, try varying your shutter speed for different effects. A shutter speed of 1/200 or slower will make the snow look streaky, while 1/1000 or faster will freeze the snow.
When everything comes together — a sharp dog and motion in the snow — the photo will be incredible.
5. Try Action Photos After the Snow Has Stopped
Action snow photos are much easier when it’s not actively snowing because your camera doesn’t have to focus through falling snow. Try photographing your dog running through the snow, chasing a favorite toy, or catching a snowball. The explosion of snow when the snowball hits your dog, or snow spraying from their paws as they run through the snow, adds so much energy to the photo.
To freeze the action — your dog and the flying snow — use a shutter speed of 1/1600 or faster.
6. Avoid Bright, Harsh Sun
Bright sun on snow creates harsh contrast and strong shadows, which can make snow photos harder to expose correctly. It’s especially challenging when you’re photographing dogs with darker coats, since the snow can blow out while the dog looks too dark. If it’s sunny, head out early in the morning or later in the day when the sun is lower and softer. If it’s overcast, you can photograph dogs in the snow at any time because the light is even, flattering, and easier to work with.
7. Try Backlighting for Beautiful Rim Light
Backlighting can make snow photos look magical. When the sun is low, position your dog so the sun is behind them, skimming their fur. This creates rim light, which helps separate your dog from the background and can make your dog look like they’re glowing. It works especially well with fluffy coats because the light catches the edges of their fur so nicely.
If you use backlighting, watch your exposure carefully. Snow in direct sunlight can blow out quickly, so check your histogram and adjust as needed.
Bonus Tip: Include Little Details Like Paw Prints
Snow isn’t just for portraits and action shots. Look for simple, graphic details like a perfectly shaped pawprint in untouched snow. Photograph it from directly above and choose an area where the snow hasn’t been disturbed. A simple shot like this adds variety and visual interest to your snow photos.
Looking for more snow photo ideas? Here’s a short video of some of my favorite dog snow photos.
Want Snow Photos of Your Dog?
Some of my favorite sessions happen right after a winter storm. If you love snow photos as much as I do, reach out and I can add you to my snow-day list for the next time the forecast looks promising.
I’m Ellen Zangla, a professional pet photographer based in Loudoun County, Virginia, serving all of Northern Virginia. This includes Leesburg, Ashburn, Fairfax, Reston, Alexandria, Arlington, and Great Falls, as well as the entire DC metro area. I create natural, personality-filled photos of dogs, cats, and the people who love them.
Whether your pet is a loyal senior, a spirited puppy or kitten, or somewhere in between, now is the perfect time to plan your photo session. Let’s capture the moments you’ll treasure forever, no matter your pet’s age or stage of life. Contact me and let’s talk about the photos you’ve been meaning to take.
Ellen Zangla Photography