The Best Light for Outdoor Pet Photography — And How and When to Find It

Many people think the middle of a sunny day is a great time for photos. But if you’ve ever tried to photograph your dog, a person, or even a flower in that light, you’ll see quickly that it’s really unflattering. Harsh shadows and squinting eyes are just the beginning. Light is incredibly important in outdoor pet photography — really, in all photography.

Here’s what actually makes for great light, and how and when to find it.

Fluffy brown dog lying outside in the fall in Loudoun County.

Golden Hour: Worth the Hype

The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset are called golden hour for a reason. The sun is low in the sky, which means the light hits at a softer angle instead of straight down. The color is warm. The shadows are soft instead of hard and dark.

What this means for your pets: it brings out the warmth in a golden retriever’s coat, makes a black dog’s fur look dimensional instead of flat, and puts beautiful light in your dog’s eyes.

Worth getting up early for or delaying dinner.

Overcast Days: Clouds Are Not Your Enemy

I’ve had clients message me when their session day looks cloudy, asking if we should reschedule. My answer is almost always no.

An overcast sky is basically a giant natural soft box. It diffuses the light evenly across everything — no harsh shadows, no squinting, no blown-out highlights. And because most dogs don’t stay in one place for long, overcast light is easier to work with than direct sun. Your dog doesn’t need to be in the one perfect spot for the light to work.

What to Avoid

Midday sun. That overhead light is harsh and creates unflattering shadows under the eyes (called “raccoon eyes” on people) and nose. If midday is your only option, look for open shade — the shadow side of a building or a spot under a tree where the light is indirect and even. Position your dog so they’re facing the bright area without being in it. That puts beautiful light in their eyes without the harshness on their fur.

Dappled shade (under trees where sunlight filters through the leaves) looks pretty in theory, but creates patchy, inconsistent light that’s hard to work with. Part of your dog is bright, part is dark. Open shade is always the better option.

The photos below are both of wet dogs, but what a difference the light makes! The dog on the left is lying in the shade, and the light is soft and flattering. The dog on the right is in strong light. He still has great light in his eyes as I had him face the sun. But look at the harsh shadow under his chin and the contrasty light in the entire image.

Wet Chocolate Lab lying on pool deck outside in Northern Va.

Black German Shepherd standing in a grove of cherry trees.

How I Work with Light

Every session I plan starts with location and time of day, and both decisions are driven by light. I think about where the sun will be, how it will look in the location we’re shooting, and what time of year it is (July light at 6 AM is completely different from October light at 6 AM). It’s also worth remembering that the light is different in the mid-Atlantic, where I am, than it is in different parts of the country. Regardless, the goal is always the same: put your pet in the most flattering, beautiful light possible.