With 8 step-by-step projects and a gallery of more than 30 portraits to inspire, DIY Dog Portraits will show children how to turn the love for their pet into a timeless work of art.

There is something special about the relationship between a child and their dog. With 8 step-by-step projects and a gallery of more than 30 portraits to inspire, this how-to book will show children how to design, draw, and create dog portraits in a variety of mediums and techniques.

Award-winning photographer Margaret Bryant (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX) makes capturing dog portraits look easy—but anyone who has aspired to take portraits of a four-legged friend knows it is a skill that is hard-won. In fact, creating memorable dog portraits requires more than a good camera and a squeaky toy. Dogs need to feel comfortable before they reveal their personalities. To get them comfortable, a photographer needs to recognize when a dog is stressed and when a dog is relaxed. In this book, Bryant teaches photographers how to recognize subtle but important dog behaviors and provides tips to help them modify their own behavior to “talk” back to the dog and set the stage for great dog portraiture. After providing tips for helping a dog to relax, Bryant moves on to share techniques for posing individual dogs and groups. She includes myriad images to share inspiring ideas that help to showcase the personality of the pet. She also offers ideas for getting the dog’s attention and getting reactions and desired behaviors on cue. Finally, she offers both simple and elaborate ideas for setups that might be used when photographing dogs. With the tips in this book, photographers will have the skills they need to handle and pose dogs to make great sales.

Tips and tricks for capturing your canine's personality with every click of the camera Simply snapping a picture may not capture the playfulness or spontaneity of a dog. Knowing what kind of equipment, angle, and composition to use while photographing a dog can make all the difference in the character captured in the photo. Dog Photography For Dummies gives you practical and fun guidance for capturing your dog's personality and turning ordinary shots into priceless memories that will last a lifetime. Covering all the latest and greatest gadgets and accessories available to capture and alter photos of your favorite pooch, Dog Photography For Dummies offers techniques that amateurs and intermediates alike can use to improve their photography skills. This hands-on guide features great examples of dog portraiture, plus tons of ideas for fun new places to pose your furry friend, such as the beach, the park, the car, in the snow, and more. Detailed discussions of color versus black-and-white, indoors versus outdoors, composition, and capturing movement Advice on how to get a dog to sit still Considerations for photographing a shy dog who is scared of the camera Guidance on making the most of natural light Tips for photographing dogs with black (or dark) coats How to photograph people and dogs together Whether for decorating, memories, or holiday cards, Dog Photography For Dummies makes it easy to capture the best of your four-legged friend.

Learn the art of thread painting from Instagram sensation Michelle Staub Cats and dogs seem to always have a paw planted firmly in our hearts. Capture the life in their eyes and the texture of their fur with a unique embroidered pet portrait! Insta-famous artist Michelle Staub puts a modern spin on thread painting with her easy-to-learn approach. Get started with 4 basic embroidery stitches, and follow the detailed tutorials to hone your skills. Capture awe-inspiring details of your pet with lessons in full-color thread painting or go clean with a simple line drawing—the choice is yours. Learn to personalize your art piece with names, dates, and decorative accents. With 20 sample patterns to customize, you can easily recreate any breed! Paint stunningly realistic pet portraits with just a needle and thread Try your hand at two styles—minimal outlines and incredible full-color renderings Make it modern with floral garlands, personalized banners, and crisp lettering Start today with 4 easy stitches and 20 customizable projects

People love their pets. In recent years, it’s become clear that owners are willing to part with their hard­ earned money to pamper their pets—and to chronicle the special bond they share with them. Consequently, pet photography has seen a surge in popularity, and more and more photographers are seeking to specialize in photographing pets or simply supplement their portrait/wedding photography business with pet portraits to increase sales. This book introduces readers to all aspects of pet photography—from capture techniques to business basics and everything in between. Photographers, from beginner to seasoned pro, will find a host of technical tips for ensuring high ­quality images. Eskridge provides insights about animal psychology that will help photographers meet the challenges of photographing timid or excitable cats, dogs, and horses. She even shares her best practices for working with deaf or blind animals. Featuring technical tips, creative ideas, and business insights, this book provides everything photographers need to position their pet photography business for success.