Good Breeder Center

How to take great puppy photos

Did you know puppies with photos get 60% more buyers than those without? Read on to learn tips for taking stellar puppy photos, including ones of newborn pups!

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

Puppy in basket

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.

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Photos help your pups stand out to potential buyers

Good photos make it easier for potential buyers to connect with a puppy and imagine them in their home. In other words — puppy photos help people spot their future new family member faster! We strongly recommend you add photos of each puppy in your litter. Puppies with photos show up higher in Good Dog's search results, and get 60% more applicants than those without.

Tips for taking great puppy photos


You don’t need to be a professional photographer to take a stellar photo! Keep these tips in mind while you’re capturing your pups:

  • Show your pups in action. Snap photos of your pups in their element, enjoying life. From sniffing flowers outside, to playing with their favorite toy, or discovering a tasty snack — Good Dog buyers love to see happy pups. 

  • Take photos in natural light. A bright, well-lit photo stands out. Natural lighting is usually the easiest, most flattering light for a photo. 

  • Make sure your photos aren’t blurry. Clear, sharp photos are easier to see. Plus, Good Dog buyers can get a better sense of the pup’s personality and temperament. 
  • Keep backgrounds simple. Your pups look their best when they're photographed against backgrounds that are simple and don't have too much clutter. This helps keep a buyer's attention on your adorable pups!

  • Take photos outside. Capture your pups outside while they’re exploring. This helps Good Dog buyers see each pup in action — in a safe, natural environment. Good Dog buyers especially love to see greenery, like grass, trees, and flowers. 

  • Capture first moments. Puppies are always discovering new things. Document those first moments for potential Good Dog buyers — like rolling in grass, visiting the vet, or taking their first bath — so you can share them.

  • Show how they’ve grown. Take photos of your puppies as they age, so potential Good Dog buyers can envision what they may look like when they’re older. Because puppies grow so quickly, we recommend adding new photos every week so buyers can see how they're growing.

  • Shoot at your puppy’s eye-level. Get down to your puppy’s eye level when you take a photo. This angle allows you to capture them head-on and can help potential Good Dog buyers feel immersed in your puppy’s world. You'll want to get close-up shots so buyers can see the details that make your pups unique!

  • Share photos of past litters and breeding dogs. Attract buyers to your profile for a planned or expected litter by sharing photos of your sires, dams, and past puppies. Even though your litter might not be born yet, these photos can help applicants get an idea of what their future pup from you can look like!

Tips for taking photos of newborn pups

We know it can be tricky to take photos of newborn pups, but a picture or two can make a huge difference. Here are some tips for how to take great photos of newborn pups:

  • Add cute props to make the photo pop. Some ideas: Snap a pic of your pup sleeping on a clean, cozy blanket or place your pup around some flowers or greenery. 
  • A picture of the litter is better than no picture at all. If your newborns aren’t ready to have their photo taken individually, add a photo of the litter and draw an arrow pointing to the specific puppy you’re listing. 
  • Update puppy photos each week. This way, buyers can see recent pictures and see how a pup is growing.

Keep these tips in mind and start adding puppy photos to your litter!

Join the Good Dog breeder Facebook group to get even more advice on how to take great puppy photos (and more) — straight from our community!

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