How to Guide: Taking Photos of Your Pets
Pets are important family members. With unconditional love and unquestioning devotion, it’s no wonder that we cherish our furry friends and hold them so close to our hearts. Photos of pets can be used to create lasting memories to carry with us after they are gone.
Technology has come a long way and made it easier for pet parents to capture both candid and posed shots of their animals. Whether you’re taking a photo to post on your dog’s Instagram or using it to create a custom painted portrait like this one from Instapainting, quality matters. Here’s how to take great photos of your pets.
Use Natural Light
Using natural light is the secret to any great photo, whether it’s of your favorite human or your canine companion. Interior lights often cast harsh shadows or hues that aren’t complimentary to anyone. Additionally, the light can be inadequate and degrade the quality of the finished product; this isn’t ideal if you’re hoping to have your image expanded and framed.
While natural light is preferable, really sunny days can make for challenging photos. Either opt to take your images on a cloudy day or diffuse white light for the best possible shot of your pet.
Capture Their Personality
Every pet has their own unique personality that we come to know and love. When taking a photo, try to convey that personality through your image. If you have an active, outdoor-loving chocolate lab, try to get some action shots of him doing what he loves. If you have a sassy cat who rules the roost, aim for a photo that shows her at her snootiest.
Many people choose to dress their pets up and do a glamour style shoot. Be sure to keep your pet’s comfort in mind and give them time to get used to any accessories you’re considering.
Patience is Prime
Chances are, your pet isn’t going to be entirely cooperative and may challenge your creative vision. However, it’s important to remember that this likely isn’t something that your pet is used to, and they can get uncomfortable when they detect your stress. It’s important to be patient and to understand that getting the perfect shot might be a long process.
Get on your pet’s level and spend some time with them. Offer comforting words, loving touches, and a few treats, snapping photos when it makes sense to do so.
Use a Tripod
Whether you use a camera or an iPhone, stability will make a big difference in the quality of your photo. It may even help you get a shot that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. Use a small tripod with a remote so that you can help get your pet situated and snap reactive photos.
If there’s a spot your pet loves to visit that you want to capture, leave the tripod there for a few days until they get used to it in their environment.
Adjust Your Settings
Take some time to learn about the settings on your device and take a manual approach to your photography. For example, adjusting the shutter speed can help you get high-quality photos in lower light or capture action shots without worrying about a blurry effect. Taking practice shots and researching photography basics on your device will be fun, informative, and result in better pet photography.
Reward Them
If you’re planning on making your pet a model for your photography passion, make sure they’re paid handsomely. Reward them for their cooperation with treats or a new toy. If you start to get stressed out, take a break and give yourselves some time to unwind.
Remember, this should be an enjoyable experience that celebrates your special relationship with your fur baby. Experiment with different shots and styles until you find something that speaks to you.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
