10 Tips For Taking Pictures Of Your Pet

How many times has your pet done something that you thought was so cool and deserved to be recorded, but when it was time to take the picture, it moved, the moment was lost and that attitude ended up not being eternalized? If you want to get the best pictures of your dog or cat, we’ll give you ten essential tips to immortalize your pet.

Be relaxed before taking pictures of your pet

Pets are often very sensitive. If they perceive that the owner is tense or nervous, they will certainly react in the same way.

And not only will it be harder for you to get the shot you’re trying to get, but your anxiety will be reflected in the image. So try to relax, take a deep breath and have fun together with your friend.

Get rid of the extra elements

Make an inspection at the location chosen for the photo shoot.

If you notice that there are magazines, coffee cups, some paper or even if you are in the garden with elements such as hoses or crates, see if they really need to be part of the composition of the photograph.

If the answer is negative, it is recommended that before you call the model, you leave the region free of these objects.

If this is not done, during the session your little friend may become distracted or simply leave.

Focus on your eyes and your expressions

The eyes are the most expressive part of an animal’s face.

Although the position of the mouth can accentuate the expressions, it is in the region of the eyes where the essence of your friend will really be captured.

Since you’ve known him for a long time, learn to notice when he’s making an expression worth recording.

shoot at your level

While it’s possible to take the pictures from the top down making your pet look great, there’s nothing better than taking the pictures at the same level as your eyes.

Therefore, try to keep the camera at the height of the animal’s head. Of course, the eye level of a Great Dane is not the same as a Chihuahua or a Persian cat in a tree. So get ready to get some exercise.

Warm up first

To get some amazing angles you will find that on many occasions you will need to lie down on the floor, kneel, crouch or even roll.

That’s why we suggest that before you start firing your clicks, you do a warm-up, maybe some push-ups, so that it’s easier to reach the desired position in the shortest time possible, since the model is usually restless and despairs easily .

Look for places with the best lighting

Lighting is essential for photography, especially when it comes to animals.

Don’t forget that your little friend’s eyes are the most expressive part of your little friend, and capturing flashing lights adds a great touch to photographs.

Try not to do them in very dark places, as your pet will lose all its charm in front of the lens.

Look for a place where the light is bright but also dim to create shadows and depth in the scene.

Create a concept and plan what you want

Most pet photos have a concept. It could be a session in the kitchen, in the garden or, who knows, with Christmas motifs.

Once you’ve chosen the concept, plan what you want to do in your head and let your friend guide you.

pay your model

To keep your friend’s interest and attention, you will need to reward him during the session. Dogs can be given a toy or perhaps a pet.

For cats, who knows, a pity for them to play, something to eat or even their favorite cloth. After all, no one knows your friend like you do.

photograph in silence

If you keep giving orders, it is very likely that your dog will become disoriented and the session will end badly.

Cats can just get tired and go away. So, try to shoot in silence.

Use your hands or some objects to get your friend’s attention. If you need to give some orders, do it smoothly and don’t keep repeating it too many times.

move slowly

Unless you’re doing a photo report for a wildlife magazine, you won’t need to run or jump.

Learn to slowly move around your pet while you’re photographing it.

This is essential, especially with cats, as the slightest movement or strange noise can radically change the position of their ears or the direction of their eyes.

If you move, your friend will surely follow. If you don’t want him to change position, move very slowly and avoid contact with his eyes.