Buzz
The writer's dogs (from left): McBeal, Ivy Sue, and Sophie Lou. Are they intentionally posing, or are they completely oblivious to the camera? John PerritanoThere they stood, perfectly aligned on the front porch: Ivy Sue, the towering Great Dane, flanked by McBeal, the English setter mix, and Sophie Lou, the chocolate Lab. It was a moment made for a photograph.
I grabbed my phone. "Look here, girls," I called out. Click! Sophie turned her head to the left. "Come on, girls, this way!" Another click! Heads everywhere. Suddenly, something caught their attention, and they all turned slightly to the right. Click! Perfect shot. It’s now the wallpaper on my iMac and my LinkedIn profile picture. I cherish it so much, I want it with me forever.
People adore capturing their pets in photos—just scroll through your Facebook feed. But do dogs actually realize when someone is snapping their picture? It’s plausible. After all, dogs can detect illnesses like cancer or sniff out drugs. They often sense when you’re returning home or preparing for a trip.
But do they intentionally pose for the camera? With no scientific studies addressing this specific question, we rely on anecdotes. A Consumer Reports article about Derek Glas, a celebrated dog photographer, details his methods, such as crouching to the dog’s level and avoiding high-angle shots. Sometimes, he uses sounds to capture their attention.
Photographer Elke Vogelsang, in an interview with digitalrev.com, shares that she uses various tricks to achieve the perfect shot. Depending on the breed, she employs noises, commands, or treats. "Stay calm and ensure the dog feels at ease," she advised the magazine.
This implies dogs might not recognize they’re being photographed but instead react to the photographer’s cues. However, photographer Michael Malyszko and writer Judith Hughes believe their labs, Betty and Rita, were aware of the camera during their trip to Rome, Italy. As the dogs explored the streets, the duo captured a series of photographs. "People often ask if the dogs knew they were being photographed," they wrote. "After Rome, we can confidently say, ‘Yes.’"
Ultimately, whether your dog knows they’re being photographed or is simply reacting to stimuli, a great photo is timeless. Ivy, Sophie, and McBeal may no longer be here, but that single photo of the trio preserves their essence, beauty, and spirit forever.
Dogs exhibit a wide range of facial expressions, from puppy dog eyes to raised eyebrows, tilted heads, and tongues sticking out. A recent study published in Scientific Reports by researchers in the UK indicates that these facial movements are a deliberate way for dogs to communicate with humans, rather than just involuntary reactions.
