Capture Stunning Pet Photos: A Professional Guide

Most pet lovers agree that pets are members of the family and strive to capture photos of their pets on a regular basis. Why? Because family pictures capture not only the stages of life and pivotal events in our lives; they also capture the day-to-day experiences and small moments that make up a family’s memories and illustrates its love and companionship. Add to that the fact that the lives of our pets are fleeting compared to those of people and you understand why getting great pictures of your pet is so important. It can be difficult, however, to get your pet to sit still and look at the camera, let alone capture your dog or cat’s personality.

With several holidays coming up that are golden photo opportunities, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah and more, we’ve put together some tips for how to take great pictures of your pet.

•  Invest in a decent camera. Most phones today can also take decent snapshots, but if you want really great pictures of your pets, invest in a digital camera that gives you some options on lighting, flash, distance, etc. The best way to learn how to use it is to take an afternoon and play with it, experimenting with different settings until you’re comfortable using it.
• Consider the lighting. There’s a reason everyone takes photographs outside. Natural lighting is the most flattering and generally doesn’t need a flash. You can get great pictures of your pets if you take the time to do your photography in the late morning or in the evening when the sun is lower in the sky but gives you rich, warm light. Photographers often refer to the hours between afternoon and sunset as the golden hours. If you need to take photos inside, try to take them near a window with lots of sunlight streaming in.
• Use flashes sparingly. There may be times when you have to use a flash because natural sunlight isn’t available, but use the flash sparingly. It can wash the color out on lighter colored animals and give the dreaded “red eye” effect. If you’re taking photos of a dark or black animal, however, you may want to use the flash to highlight the fur, giving the animal more definition.
• Candid shots can tell your pet’s story. Your dog or cat doesn’t have to be looking directly at you for you to get great pictures of your pet. Candid shots can reveal your dog’s or cat’s personality. Are they playful and silly? Memorialize them playing with their favorite toy or jumping up and down in excitement. Do they love to eat? A candid photo of them lapping up their favorite treat can reflect their healthy appetite for life and biscuits. Does your cat prefer sleeping in the sunny spot on the floor? Take a candid photo of her curled up with sunlight streaming over her while she’s napping.
• Location, location, location. It’s best to take pictures of your pets when they are comfortable, so try to take pictures in locations they are familiar with and comfortable in, whether it’s the back yard, the kitchen or the local park. In strange surroundings they may be too distracted or nervous. If you’re on vacation and will be taking a lot of photos on the beach or other new areas, give your pets some time to acclimate themselves and explore a bit before attempting any photography.
• Using props can help you get great pictures of your pet. Toss a treat or ball in the air and take a quick shot of your dog leaping to catch it. Give your cat a bit of catnip and snap a succession of pictures when she’s acting like a goofball.
• Getting and keeping your pet’s attention for pet portraits. Candid pictures don’t require your pet to look at you, but for a great pet portrait, you’ll want eyes on you. Having someone assist you by holding up your pet’s favorite toy or ball just over and behind your head is a great way to get your dog’s attention. Some photographers even attach a tennis ball or similar toy to the top of their camera. Talking to your pet while you’re taking those great pictures of your pet will also help.
• Play with perspective. You don’t always have to take pictures of your furry family member from your perspective. Instead, give others a pet’s eye view of the world. Get down on your dog’s or cat’s level and take photos where your pet is looking directly at you or even down on you. The intimacy will give you great pictures of your pet that more closely captures the way they see life. Try taking pictures at unusual angles as well to capture details of your pet that others may not get the chance to see.
• Avoid visual clutter for great pictures of your pet. A relatively plain background, such as a length of wall, is the best way to visually frame your pet in a photograph. If there are a lot of visual distractions in the background, your pet could get lost in the clutter. If the background is part of the story you want your photo to tell, keep it simple and colorful (for instance, a few pumpkins for fall or a door with a Christmas wreath).
• Take the time to crop and adjust your pet photos. Digital photography means everyone can be a photo editor. Take advantage of this to try visual effects, black & white images and adjust color. Cropping can frame images beautifully and enhance the impact of your photos.
• Have fun! To get really great pictures of your pets, have your camera with you all the time so that you can capture those once in a lifetime moments you’ll cherish in the future.