It’s Leap Day, and here are thirty-one of my favorite leaping photos (because I couldn’t choose just 29) to celebrate! Jumping into the pool, running in the snow, chasing a ball, a Frisbee, or a four-legged friend, I hope these photos make you smile!

Five Tips for Taking Better Action Dog Photos
  1. Have dogs run towards the sun (the sun will be behind you) as this puts great light in their eyes. And if you want a profile shot of your dog running, have the sun light the side of the dog you are photographing (again, the sun will be behind you), so that there is good lighting on their body.
  2. Shoot from a low angle as this makes dogs look larger and stronger, which works well with action photos. If they are jumping, it makes them look higher off the ground.
  3. Choose a background that your dog doesn’t blend into. With dark dogs, try to have a lighter background behind them; for lighter dogs, try to have a darker background.
  4. Make sure the lighting is even; you don’t want your dog running through some areas that are brightly lit and others that are in shadow as this creates uneven and unflattering lighting patterns on your dog.
  5. Work with another person! This person can throw a ball, Frisbee, or other toy for the dog to chase, so you can focus on photography.
More Photos of Dogs in Action

I’m a professional pet photographer specializing in dog photography, cat photography, and family photography that includes your dogs, cats, or other pets. I also take a lot of photographs of dogs in action.

I’ve been a pet photographer since 2009, and in that time, there has never been a dog or cat I couldn’t photograph. Because I specialize in pet photography, I know how to work with dogs, cats, and other pets to create the best possible portraits of them and you with them.

I’m a Certified Professional Photographer through Professional Photographers of America and a Master of Animal Imagery through Animal Image Makers.

Learn more about working with me or contact me to schedule a free consultation or to learn more.

Pet photography, dog photography, cat photography, and family photography with pets in Loudoun County, VA, northern Virginia, and the DC Metro area, including Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, Fairfax, Great Falls, and McLean.