Tips for Pet Photography
We always enjoy taking photos of our pet. Seeing their cute faces make us happy.
If you have taken pet photos, you know that it is not easy to get really good shots. They don't understand what a photographers is trying to do, so it's hard to get them to hold a pose. Dogs are especially inclined to come over and put their nose on your lens to find out what it is.
♣ Use Natural Light: Try to use available light whenever possible. If you don't know how to control the flash, its bursts may not only annoy your pet, but also give the "devil eye" effect. Try to photograph your pet in a natural environment where he's most happy. e.g. during a walk or in your backyard. If you are inside, try to take photos with a window behind or to the side of you to use the natural light.
♣ Focus on Your Subject: In general, it is important to keep the eyes of the subject sharp for portrait photography. Pets' eyes are extremely expressive, so it's good to keep them in focus.
♣ Keep Your Pet at Ease: Let them come to you. Place yourself on the floor, on your belly if you have a small pet. Shoot the photo at or near the pet’s eye level.
♣ Show Your Pet’s Character: A successful picture is one which conveys the subject's character. e.g. if you have a lazy dog, show him yawning or snoozing. If the animal is of a playful type, portray her in action while performing one of her favorite tricks.
♣ Go in for Macro: Fill the frame with the pet. Back up from the pet and then zoom in. If you are lucky enough to have an SLR camera and a choice of lenses, use a long lens. Very often, close-up shots make for a good animal portrait.
♣ Be Quick: The most difficult thing in the world seems to be for your pet to hold still when you want him to! The most important trick is to let it play quietly. Once everything is set, let someone whistle or call your pet to get his attention. That initial glance in your direction is often results in a very expressive portrait. Be quick! You only have a few seconds to capture him in an alert and nice posture.
♣ Stay Calm & Be Patient: Pet photography involves tremendous patience. Pets have great sense. If you are stressed, they will be, too. Play music to help your pet relax. Note: Just like humans, each pet has its own taste in music. :-) If your model pet is not in the mood, try again another day. Take a couple of shots anyway, just to get your pet familiar with the process, but don't make it stressful. Eventually your pet will get used to the camera and ignore it, which is okay, or, if you can make it fun enough, your pet may even begin to start posing for you.
♣ Experiment & Have Fun: Enjoy the session and take your time. Try different compositions, angles, and approaches. Shoot as much as possible and worry about the results later. I was a very early convert to digital cameras so that I could afford to take many, many pictures!