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Photo & Video Tips — What Gets a Dog Adopted

Great photos are one of the biggest factors in how fast your foster dog gets applications.

The goal isn't a perfect studio shot — it's a set of real photos that shows adopters who this dog actually is. Aim for 5 photos + 1 short video (that fills all 6 PetFinder slots).

The shots we need — try to get all of these

  1. The face. A clear, close-up head shot with eye contact — this is the cover photo, the one that stops someone scrolling. Have someone hold a treat behind the camera so the dog looks right at you.
  2. The full body, side-on. So adopters can see the dog's real size and shape. Size is the #1 thing people misjudge from a face-only photo.
  3. In action / being themselves. Walking, playing, mid-zoomie, chasing a ball. This shows energy level better than any words in the bio.
  4. Cozy / calm. Curled up, napping, getting pets — the other side of the dog: that they settle and are easy to live with.
  5. With people or another dog (if safe and true). Shows the dog is social and good company. Skip it if it isn't accurate.
  6. A short video (15–30 seconds). Even a phone clip of the dog walking around or responding to their name. Dogs with video get far more interest — adopters can see the personality move.

Quick quality pointers — don't overthink these

  • Get down to the dog's level. Kneel or sit on the floor. Shooting down at a dog makes them look small and distant; eye-level makes them look like a companion.
  • Natural daylight is easiest — near a window or outside. Skip the flash (it causes red-eye).
  • A tidy-ish background helps, but don't let a cluttered room stop you — a real photo of the dog beats no photo, and we can crop or clean up later.
  • Take lots and pick the best. Dogs move; most shots won't land, and that's completely normal.

The one that matters most: capture what makes THIS dog different.

Capture what makes THIS dog different. If they do a funny head-tilt, always carry a toy, or melt when you rub their ears — get that. The photo that shows a dog's quirk is the one that makes an adopter feel “that's my dog.”