One of the most common concerns I hear from clients is that their dog is black and they can't get a good picture of it.  They aren't wrong, a black coat is a challenge to photograph.  Black absorbs light and some coats more than others.  Much of it depends on the type of fur. Some dogs are "blacker" than others.  Some have a shiner coat and some a more matt finish.  Your camera phone or your point and shoot camera misses the detail in their fur because it takes an average reading on the light to make an exposure.  This average misses the shadow detail and you end up with a black blob for a dog in your picture.

So you can imagine the thoughts that go through their heads when I suggest a black background for their black dog.  But black on black is so beautiful, simple, artistic and dramatic.  The key is getting the light!  Light to separate the subject from the background.  Light to make sure there is texture in the fur.  And light to bring life to their eyes.

After that it is about shooting for the correct exposure on that fur!  Here are a few images of beautiful black dog in the studio.