Before you involve your German Shepherd in the process, get out all the cameras you intend to use. Check their memory cards and make sure you are using high capacity memory cards. Load fresh batteries in each camera and have several sets of unused replacement batteries nearby. Select the area where you will take your pictures, and gather any backdrops or props you want to use.

Tip number one is being prepared. Before you start taking your German Shepherd pictures, you should consult an equipment checklist. First, make sure you have a fresh memory card in your camera with plenty of storage capacity. You won't want to get a low memory message when your dog finally strikes the perfect pose.

You don't have to be a professional photographer to take professional looking German Shepherd pictures. You could use an expensive professional camera or disposable camera to photograph your German Shepherd, but a digital camera works even better because it gives you the option of deleting your bad shots instead of paying to have them processed and printed. Digital photography also gives you instant gratification, and digital cameras are friendlier to the environment than disposable cameras. Your pictures can instantly be sent to friends and family or uploaded to your computer desktop for viewing whenever you want.

Choose someone who likes your dog, and make it sound like a fun adventure to undertake for a few hours on a weekend. Be sure to serve appropriate refreshments during the photo session, and thank your assistant after the session is over by sending him or her one of the great German Shepherd pictures you took with your assistant's help.

Tip number three is to stage a backdrop. The German Shepherd, with its deep tan coat and black accents, looks best photographed against a light or medium colored background. There is not enough contrast in a German Shepherd pictures with a dark backdrop. Your backdrop should be uncluttered, so all the attention is focused on your canine subject.

Tip number four is to use dog toys and other visual objects to add interest. Props are a must when you're photographing a German Shepherd puppy, and they add detail to pictures of older dogs. Place one brightly colored object with a simple design near your dog, grab your camera and wait for the perfect shot.

Tip number five is to get down on the ground. You should always photograph your dog from your dog's eye level, even if that means getting down on the floor or on the ground. If you can't get down low because of physical limitations, sit in a chair and hold your camera low when you take pictures of your dog, or try to place your dog on an elevated surface so you can photograph your dog at eye level. These five helpful tips will help you get the very best pictures of your German Shepherd.