How to Increase Your Dog's Adoption Chances in One Easy Step

"A picture is worth a thousand words" the saying goes. So we need to make sure that is the case with our foster dogs' adoption site pictures. As much as we want to say that people are focusing on a dog's personality and temperament, it is the picture that first makes them stop and want to learn more. The more you can make those pictures reach out and grab people's attention, the better your foster dog's chances are for finding a new home.

I can't stress this enough. It makes me so sad when I see great dogs getting overlooked because the photos of them are mediocre shots taken quickly just to have something to get the dog listed on the Web. I think part of the problem these days is it is so easy just to pull out our phone and snap some quick photos. But no matter how fancy your phone is, they just don't seem to be able to take the more detailed, personable photos that really grab attention.

I'm not saying that you have to be Annie Leibovitz. We are not talking art here. I personally don't have a big fancy camera - just a Panasonic point and shoot. But I'm able to coax some great photos out of it. I still fall back on my phone, but when it comes to getting the photos that count - those adoption site photos - I always take the time to get my regular camera out.

What I'm saying (which will be a theme in this blog) is don't choose to do what is easiest. Instead do what is best for your dog. And in this case, an excellent photo is definitely best for helping your dog find a home.

Here are some visual examples of things to be thinking about when choosing photos of your foster dog for Petfinder. I talk about "Petfinder photos" but I am talking about any photos that are used on an online adoption site - whether that be a big one like Petfinder or Adoptapet or your rescue group's own Website.

Thumbs Down:  Now I actually LOVE this photo. This picture is of my sweet little dog, Tilly. But if this turd eating, fur shedding, goofball were actually a foster dog, I wouldn't use this photo on Petfinder. It showcases her really messed up mouth which makes her look pretty rodent-like. She's also stressed in this photo. Her ears are back, her face is really tense and her eyes are big. I don't want photos of scared dogs in my dog's Petfinder bio if I can help it. Other things to be careful of - if you have an obese foster dog, a dog with a deformity, etc., make sure that when you see the picture that isn't the first thing you notice. This is about noticing the pet for themselves, not the things that they struggle with.

Thumbs Up:  Here you see a much softer, sweeter faced Tilly. Although her ears are still back a bit, she's definitely a more relaxed girl.

Worried Torii

Relaxed Torii

Here's another set of photos showing what a difference it makes to use a photo where the dog is relaxed and calm. The first photo is actually not that bad, as shelter photos go, but her tight face, ears to the side and huge, round eyes let you know she's not a happy girl. The second photo of this girl are when she is in foster care. In the home setting you can see how she has relaxed and you are getting a look at her true self.

Thumbs Down: Your dog should fill most of the frame in the pictures used for Petfinder bios. People aren't going to click on a photo of a dog they can barely see, no matter how cute your foster dog is.

Thumbs Up: Here the focus is clearly the dog.  Sure, it's not a professional quality photo but it does the job. Doesn't he look like a playful, fun dog? His photo is telling a story about him.

Thumbs Down: Take the time to get a photograph that is in focus. I know sometimes that can be tough, especially with young dogs who never stop moving. The nice thing about digital cameras is you can keep clicking away until you get a clear shot.

Thumbs Up: Here's the same boy, in focus. Much better. Sure, this foster parent could have gone with the first photo - the dog can be clearly seen and he fills most the frame. However, look at the result a clear shot with a pretty backdrop can make!

Thumbs Down: I really recommend avoiding shelter photos. They are depressing, the dogs are usually stressed and the surroundings are dull and often dirty. Petfinder pictures should not elicit negative emotions. Take the time to get your camera out and do your sweet dog justice. They deserve some glamour shots.

Thumbs Up: If you must use a shelter photo, only use one that someone took the time to frame the shot so they highlight the dog and not the misery of their surroundings. This one really shows the cute curiosity of the dog, and the dog is standing up and engaged with the photographer.

Thumbs Down: I talked about making sure your dog is filling up most of the frame, but that doesn't mean the background doesn't matter. Your background should either add to the story that you are telling about your dog or it should just fade away and barely be noticeable. In this photo the busy look of the dining room table/chairs and the shelving units tends to pull your eye away from the dog. Other examples to avoid would be piles of laundry in the background, dirty carpet, dirty dishes, poop and pee (you'd be amazed how much of this makes it way onto Petfinder), dog crates, piles of work in an office... Keep the focus on the dog and not your housekeeping or decorating skills.

Thumbs Up: Here is another example of a busy background, but this one works. It is telling a story of an active fun dog who loves the outdoors. It makes you want to leash him up and head out on a hike.

Thumbs Down: No costumes or elaborate outfits in the Petfinder photos. Especially since most dogs wearing costumes or clothing look miserable. This poor girl looks terrified! Round eyes, tail tucked, tight face...  People want to see the dog - their physique, their posture, etc. They aren't adopting a costume. An exception might be a simple scarf or plain tutu because it doesn't draw attention away from the dog.

Thumbs Down: Ack! Avoid all the stickers and frames and text on Petfinder photos. All that bling draws the eye away from what matters - the dog. Also avoid adding your foster dog's name to the photo. We are looking at the dog - what they are called doesn't matter. We just want them to be intrigued enough to click on the picture.

Thumbs Down: While it is good in other photo albums to show the foster dog hanging out and playing with other dogs, in the Petfinder photos the dog up for adoption needs to either be the only dog in the shot, or at least taking up most of the frame if other dogs are in the photos. This was actually a Petfinder photo for the dog on the right.

Thumbs Down: You don't have to go out and buy a professional lighting set up but you do need to make sure that you aren't using a dark photo. The easiest way to solve this problem is to take your important "showcase" photos in natural light. In the cloudy Pacific Northwest where I am located, getting some nice, direct sunlight can be a challenge. This is a decent enough photo, but is too dark to and the dog tends to blend into the background.

Thumbs up: Same dog but in natural light. Still not my favorite photo of this cute guy, but it shows how natural light can really clean up a photo.



And now I'll leave you with some photos that I think are great examples of Petfinder photos.

This photo just shouts "I am a happy guy!", don't you think?

Everyday items (dog bed, blanket, dresser) when framed correctly can provide a nice simple backdrop and bring a little color into the photo without overpowering it.

Natural settings always seem to make the best backdrops to showcase a dog. Doesn't she look regal?

This girl was busy, busy, busy so an action shot was perfect for her Petfinder bio.

Gahhh - those ears! Impossible not be stopped in your tracks by a cute close up

Relaxed dog, not too much going on in the background, and a nice "sit" pose

So many times I've heard adopters say about one of my foster dogs, "their eyes just reached out and grabbed me!" A relaxed dog, looking right at the camera makes people feel like the dog is reaching out to them. I mean, how do you say no to that face?

Here's another photo that shows how a very simple back drop - in this case a white wall and carpet in natural light - can really allow the dog to "pop" out of the photos

Another great nature shot. It's always good to have at least one of your Petfinder photos be a side shot with the dog standing. That way people can get an idea of their proportions.

Here the wood decking makes for a nice natural backdrop for this pretty red terrier mix

Here's an exercise for you. Take the time to do a search on Petfinder of a breed of dog that you know well. Glance through like you are an adopter. Which photos make you pause a bit or stop your eye? What is the first thing about them that made you want to see more? Take the time to really understand this. You don't have to have a ton of great photos - even just 3 really good ones that showcase your dog's features and personality can get them the attention they need to find a home.