I would leave the camera lay where the dog can investigate it himself without you holding it. He may think it is something that will harm you or him. When you aim it at him to take a picture he might think it's something thats gonna get him.
Conditioning is the best, let him get used to it like I said, hold it but don't use it when he is near you, don't make it the obvious, pet him or talk while doing this. I found a few websites that might help you.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.