Black and white is harder than it looks
The classic collie coat is black with white on the chest, collar and blaze. For a camera, that is the most difficult combination there is. Expose for the white and the black turns into a flat silhouette with no eyes. Expose for the black and the white blows out into a blank patch.
The answer is soft, even light:
- Overcast days are perfect. Clouds act like a giant softbox and keep detail in both colors.
- Open shade on a sunny day, such as the shadow of a house or a tree, works almost as well.
- Indoors, face the dog toward a window, with your back to the window. Avoid the dog standing in front of the window, which turns them into a shape.
On a phone, tap the dog's face to focus before you shoot. Most phones then balance the exposure for that spot, which is usually what you want.
Red and white, blue merle and tricolor collies are a bit more forgiving, but the same light makes every coat look better.
Catching the stare
You do not need a trained model to get the look. Three tricks work for most collies:
- Use their toy. Hold the ball or frisbee just above the phone. The eyes lock on and the head drops into that classic pose.
- Let them settle first. A collie who has just run is panting and looking everywhere. Five minutes after a walk is the sweet spot.
- Get low. Kneel so the phone is at their eye level. Photos from standing height make even an intense collie look small.
Our sample collie, Pepper, was photographed in a backyard on the grass, ears up and alert. Her portraits below came from that one photo.
The phone photo Pepper's portraits started from
Sample portrait: Pepper, a border collie, in the Royal style
Sample portrait: Pepper, a border collie, in the Watercolor style
Sample portrait: Pepper, a border collie, in the Storybook styleStyles that suit a border collie
Watercolor is a favorite for collies. The style uses white paper as part of the image, so the white parts of the coat melt into the page and the black areas carry the shape. It looks deliberate and calm, a nice contrast to the dog's energy. Pepper's Watercolor portrait is the large image at the top of this page. The Watercolor guide explains why light coats and white markings work so well in this style.
Royal turns a working dog into a portrait of authority. A collie in velvet and a gold medallion, lit like an old master painting, suits a dog who already runs the household. See more in the Royal style guide.
Storybook suits a collie who is a family dog first and a herder second. The warm illustrated look, with leaves and stars in the background, is especially good for a child's room.
Pop Art and Astronaut are available as well. Pop Art turns the black and white pattern into graphic color blocks; Astronaut suits the collie who would clearly be first in line for the mission.
Frame colors for black and white coats
A collie's coat already has the strongest contrast possible, so the frame is about the room more than the dog.
| Frame | Best with |
|---|
| Natural wood | Watercolor and Storybook, warm rooms, farmhouse or cabin decor |
| Black | Royal, where the frame continues the dark background |
| White | Pop Art, or a Watercolor on a white wall for a gallery look |
Sizes
Collies are medium sized dogs with a lot of presence. The 8 x 10 in size suits a desk, a mantel shelf or a gift. The 12 x 16 in size is the one to choose for a living room or above a dog bed in a mudroom, where it reads from across the room. Our size guide has room by room suggestions.
A portrait for a collie person
Collie owners tend to be serious about their dogs: agility, herding trials, long hikes. A portrait is a way to mark that bond, for a birthday, a retirement from competition, or a dog's last good year. If you are planning one as a holiday gift, our Christmas gift guide lays out the timing.
Updated October 8, 2026