Pet Portrait Photography Tips
These tips will give you a general guide for when taking photos of your pets, I have tried to collate as many as I can from my own experiences. If you have any good tips you feel will help others in their own pet photography please email them to me and I will add them asap!
Patience
My first piece of advice is patience, patience, and more patience! Taking photos of your pet is going to take some time and if you want to get the perfect shot and you find your dog is difficult to photograph, why not set the task over a few days. Dogs sometimes seem to have a knack for being uncooperative when you bring out your camera so by spreading the project over a few days, taking things one step at a time often helps your pet to relax.
Getting help
When I take photos there are always three people present, the owner of the dog, who stands next to the dog for comfort, myself taking the photos and a friend holding some treats or a toy to keep the dog alert and looking at the camera.
Choosing a good place
Look at the area where you will be taking the pictures, you are looking for a location with a simple background, my favourite place is a garden or local park. Make sure there's contrast - a dark background for a light-coloured animal for example helps me to see your pet more clearly.
Lighting
Use natural lighting when possible. Go outside if you can. If you need to take pictures inside, get close to a window to allow for some natural light and use a flash or redeye flash especially if your dog has dark or black fur.
Be prepared for sudden movement.
Pets can be unpredictable and move without warning. Sometimes nervous pets can be restless and jump at the sound of a shutter click. If you are taking photos of your cat, movement can be a problem as they are much more independent than dogs and you are unable to tell them what to do! My advice for taking photos of cats would be to keep the camera handy over a few days and try to take photos of the cat when they are in the right mood.
Keep a biscuit or a toy handy
Treats and squeaky toys are tools of the trade in pet photography! I usually take the photos, the owner of the dogs stands next to the dog and a friend usually squeaks a toy or holds a dog treat up to really make the dog look alert and lively. A dog will do anything for its favourite toy or treat!! I often receive photos where the dogs are chewing large bones; unless you want this included in the portrait, try to just tease him with the bone to get a good photo rather then giving it to him during the photo shoot. Of course he can have the bone at the end!
Study your pet
Is there is a certain look you want to capture? Does he look at you longingly when you are just about to feed him? If this is the pose you love, then have the camera handy and have a freind or family member to snap away while hes waiting. These special moments, that show your dog or cats personality, can quite easily be captured with a little preparation.
Wait until the right moment
Cats and dogs are easy to catch out when they are sleepy. Use the squeaky toy just as they're nodding off. Squeak the toy and you'll get a moment of alertness and a brilliant pose! |
