If you are anything like me, you love your pet and can’t resist taking a multitude of photos. Let me share some of my tips on getting some great photos.
There are a few key factors, such as, whether you are indoors or out and whether you are trying to capture action shots quickly or have some time for posing your pet.
Indoor Photos:
Do you have any natural sunlight to utilize? How about some windows or a doorway to let in some natural light, if available. If you can position your pet to be facing the natural sunlight, you can get more light into their eyes. Catchlights are awesome, giving more vitality to the eyes.
Outdoor Photos:
Creating a safe space may be necessary when outdoors. Try to find an enclosed area that doesn’t allow for escape. Using a thin leash may be necessary and if you prefer not to have the leash visible in the photo, most editing programs have some kind of cloning or erasing tool to eliminate or minimize the visibility of the leash. If you have a deck or porch, this may be a safe enclosed spot.
Look at the background. Is your pet’s coloring going to blend into the background or are there a lot of colors/patterns that are going to draw your eye away from your subject, your pet? Try to create some variety, some contrast, between your pet and the background, not photographing black against black or white against white, for example.
Using Flash:
I don’t advise using flash pointed directly at your pet. If using a speed light then bounce it off to the side or up and behind you. If your flash is built in and not adjustable, try turning on the red eye feature of your camera, this may help. If you have a diffuser for your flash, this could help. If flash is needed and you aren’t able to manipulate it, then try taking your photo when your pet isn’t looking directly at the camera.
Posing:
Before I give you some tips on how to increase your chances of getting a good shot, let me start out by saying, any photos you take are going to be cherished by you. They may make you smile, laugh, cringe, shake your head or cry, evoking a myriad of emotions that are all wonderful, as they relate to your pet, to your relationship. So don’t ever pass up an opportunity to photograph your pet, regardless of the conditions.
Try to be as prepared as possible before starting to photograph your pet. Check your camera settings, make any adjustments, take a practice shot and be sure that the camera is ready. Don’t engage your pet’s attention until the last minute, just before you are ready to take their photo, as their attention span is likely to be short. If it is your pet, you know their personality, you know if there is something that will help engage their attention i.e. a treat, favorite ball, a squeaky toy. When you are ready, position your pet, show them the attention grabber and use it to engage them. Most of the time, a treat is one of the best ways to get your pet’s attention but noises also work well. A can with a few coins in it, when shaken, will create a startling noise that should get their attention for a moment. Understand that you are not going to hold their attention for long, so be ready to take that photo.
Including some of the background, the surroundings, can help to provide details, such as favorite toys, a favorite spot in the house, etc.
If photographing a pet you don’t know (or know well), if possible, take a few minutes to meet them, touch them, let them smell your scent and try to create a calm, comfortable atmosphere. This is a good time to give a treat or two, creating trust. Then you can start taking photos.
I keep treats in my hand or in a pocket for easy access. I keep a squeaky toy beside me if I need to create a loud noise. I can’t whistle so that’s not something that will work for me but if you can whistle, that may be useful.
When photographing pets, I find that shooting from above, downwards, or getting lower to the ground, at their eye level, works best.
Try to work as quickly and efficiently as possible but also be alert and wait patiently for those split seconds when the “money shot” can happen, when you capture the position, the look you want. I will follow Taz around outdoors with a few treats in my pocket, talking to him, with my camera focused on him, being ready to snap the photo when the right moment comes. I never ask him to sit, stop or lay down too much, as he will get frustrated, will get bored, and it shows in his expression, he looks stressed and unhappy. So, everything in moderation, I get him to sit for a minute, while I move around him, changing my angle, and then I let him stand. I’ll offer a treat while he is looking up, so I can grab that shot of him. I hold the treat in my fingers as my hand is posed over the camera, ready to take a photo.
Another way to get their attention, if you are close enough, is to gently blow on them. This often results in some funny reactions that are fun to capture.
While it’s fun to photograph your pet’s loveable face, don’t forget to photograph your pet from all angles. Their look can change with the passing of time and you sometimes don’t realize how much they have changed until you look back at your photos. Be sure to take front and back angles. Taz has a unique looking tail, it started out as a tightly coiled rope of orange and brown for his first six months of age and then suddenly one day it unfurled and it became a wispy, flowing, orange mass that is always standing at attention. I’m so glad to have taken photos of his little coiled tail before it unfurled.
If you are able to, get in close and photograph some of the details like fur, feet, whiskers, ears, nose and especially the eyes. There is nothing like gazing into the eyes of your pet! When they are napping, it’s a great time to sneak in quietly and get some detail shots.
Take photos of your pet interacting with other family members or other pets. Give them some of their favorite toys to play with and photograph them as they play.
Whenever or however you photograph your pet, the photos will be cherished by all who love them. See how creative you can get and enjoy it!
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