Say What?! The Head Tilt Heard ‘Round the Lake
Some dogs were born to tilt.
Like, if there were an Olympic sport for “Most Adorably Quizzical Head Position,” Haisai would be bringing home the gold. Possibly even a world record. And when I found out that the upcoming pet photography challenge was all about the head tilt—sharp eyes, full personality, straight-to-the-heart gaze—I immediately knew who my model would be.
I didn’t even have to think about it. I was at a friend’s house in Panama City, chatting away (as one does), and mid-conversation Haisai served up the tilt. You know the one. The kind that stops you mid-sentence, makes you squeal a little, and whisper, “OMG… did you see that?!”
I blurted out, “I have to photograph Haisai for this dog expression challenge!” His mom didn’t just agree—she was in. From that moment on, they practiced their tilt game every time we saw each other. Their secret weapon? Scottish bagpipes. 🎶 Yup. Apparently, nothing gets Haisai's ears perked and his head tilted like a little Celtic chaos.
A Lake, a Lens, and a Legendary Tilt
We headed out to one of the bazillion local lakes in Bay County I didn’t even know existed until my husband and I started exploring for dog-friendly photo locations. (Seriously, how are there this many? I feel like we uncover a new one every weekend.)
I had my trusty noise arsenal ready—rubber chicken, squeaky squirrel, mystery whimper playlist, and yes, even some bagpipe audio. But Haisai? He didn’t need it.
Before his mom could even hit play, I made a soft puppy whimper noise and—BOOM. Head tilt. Locked-in eye contact. Pawfect focus. That shot? We had it in the bag in seconds. A total pro.
🐔 Tools of the Tilt Trade (aka My Favorite Sound Makers)
If you're ever trying to get that head-tilt magic from your own pup, here are two of my go-to tools that never fail me:
Henrietta the Chicken: a classic, ridiculous, loud latex squawker that gets laughs and tilts.
Primos Duck Call: not just for hunters — this little guy is amazing for those curious, alert expressions.
Cue the Sparkle... and the Stick Line
I submitted the image and waited for feedback with cautiously sparkly optimism. I wasn’t banking on Top 20 glory... but okay, maybe I was hoping a little.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be this round. The judges had some solid critiques: they weren’t sure my focal point was sharp enough, thought my lens choice didn’t fully support the look, and they spotted a detail I missed completely—a faint, hard-edged line at the bottom of the image from where I’d removed a stray stick. (Editing ghosts are real, friends. 😬)
That one? I did not see coming. And yeah… it stung.
You better believe I checked every single pixel of my “Glow-Up” submission at 100% zoom after that. Like, forensic level. No phantom lines allowed this time! 👀✨
Real Talk + Reflection
It’s tough when something you’re proud of doesn’t land the way you hoped. I loved this photo. The emotion. The story. That perfect little tilt. But challenges like this? They sharpen your eye, thicken your skin, and fuel your next creative leap. I took notes. I’m refining my workflow. And I’m already applying what I’ve learned to future pet photography sessions—because your dog deserves the absolute best of what I’ve got.
Haisai, You Icon
Huge love to Haisai and his amazing mom for going all-in, practicing with bagpipes (forever iconic), and trusting me to tell his story. He nailed the brief and then some.
Next up? The “Glow-Up” challenge. Critiques are on the way, and results are right around the corner… so you know I’ll be over here hitting refresh with snacks, squeakers, and crossed fingers.
Pawprints and pixels,
✨ Stacey (plus Lexie & Murphy, who both agree that bagpipes are weird but effective)
🛍️ Affiliate Disclosure (According to Lexie, Transparency = Classy)
This post contains a couple of affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. That tiny commission helps keep Lexie living in the luxury she demands and keeps Murphy well-stocked in squeaky chaos. Thank you for supporting this sparkle-filled, dog-loving little biz! 🐾✨
