LifecanbetoffIf you’re anything like me, then you love taking pictures of your pets. I have over 8000 photos on my smartphone and around 7000 of those are of my beautiful girls. I consider them to be pretty good photos too! This is why I’ve put together my top pet photography tips!
In the past year I’ve welcomed two new additions, with Toffee the puppy being the most recent.
This post contains sponsored content, but all words, thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pet Photography Tips
Whether you’re looking to photograph your pet for their own social media account (Nessi and Toffee) or just simply want to capture their memory on film, there are a number of ways to get great photos without having to take them to a studio or have all the fancy camera equipment.
Smartphone cameras are brilliant these days and it’s what I use to get around 99.9% of the photos I take of Nessi and Toffee. On the odd occasion, I have dragged Jon out with his DSLR to get photos, especially when I want more action or long-range shots. However, most of the time, it’s just me and my Huawei!
The following pet photography tips are what I use to get great shots, time after time.
Get on their level
By getting down on their level you are taking the shot from their perspective. If you take the photo stood up, your shot will appear distant. Being at eye level with them will provide much better results.
You will of course likely end up with sore knees, so don’t kneel down in the gravel and you’ll want to practice your squats! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tumbled down thanks to my weak core!
Natural lighting
You really want your subject in natural lighting for the best result. Using the flash with pets can not only startle them but can also produce glowing or the dreaded red-eye which can ruin a great shot.
I particularly love taking photos of Toffee whilst she sunbathes, her golden colour just glistens in the sunlight and shadows, giving off a really beautiful result.
Take it outside
This leads me nicely to my next pet photography tip – go outside! Whether it’s in the garden or on your favourite walk, the beautiful scenery will just add to your photo and being in familiar surroundings will help your pet to relax.
Whilst you might think a sunny day is perfect, slightly overcast days work best as there is little glare, no squinting or shadows to contend with.
If you have an indoor cat, like Nessi is, then you can either spend time out in the garden if you are happy to, or pop them on a harness.
Action Shots
Getting shots of your pet sleeping is too easy! Whilst cute, challenge yourself to get some photographs of them in action!
This is obviously easier with dogs than cats!
Whilst you will be able to get expert shots with a proper camera set-up, there are options when it comes to action shots using your smartphone.
Mine for example has a burst option where it takes several photos and then you point, shoot and hope for the best.
However, a tried and tested method for me, is to set myself up in the grass, and let your dog do their thing around you. Calling them back gets a great shot of them running toward you. Jumping is also a great one – a little harder to do, but with practice and good timing you can pull it off!
The photo of Maddie above, whilst taken on a very old camera phone is one of my favourite all time action shots. Sadly, the original high resolution photograph was lost.
Background and setting
Whatever setting you are photographing your pet in, you’ll want to make sure it is free of clutter. Having a puppy around, that isn’t always easy! But, with close up shots or careful cropping, you can help with some of these issues
Using a portrait function on your smartphone will also blur background, making your pet the focus.
Get up close and personal!
I adore nothing more than photographing Nessi’s beautiful eyes. Cats eyes in particular are amazing to photograph close up.
Dogs noses, also adorable! These types of photos are different to your traditional pet photo and can create some really interesting results.
A macro lense for a DSLR would be perfect for this, but equally, smartphones these days have macro settings. Mine automatically detects it which is really useful!
The other benefit of this, is your pet will adore this extra attention!
Attention!
You are definitely going to need to keep your pet’s focus during an impromptu photoshoot. Particularly a puppy who finds everything around them more interesting than you – including the camera (yes my phone has teethmarks!)
I find that a nice tasty treat works absolute wonders, and Toffee adores her Mammaly treats. Using a tasty treat to keep her attention means I have enough time to get the shot and she gets a treat as a reward. Toys also make great attention getters and work well in photos too.
Of course, using a treat might also hinder, either your pet will automatically sit as would usually be expected of them, or the tasty morsel will prove too much and they’ll move and jump to get it.
Treats
Staying on the topic of treats, it’s so important that you reward your pet for their time. It’s a great opportunity to do some training and important bonding with your pet. Lots of praise and treats will work wonders for keeping your pet happy during what might be a bit of a boring session!
Being patient with them is paramount, they might not want to sit and pose for a photo as that daffodil or fly might be more interesting. Let them be an animal, the perfect shot might just happen naturally.
I find that a nice tasty treat works absolute wonders, and Toffee adores her Mammaly treats. Using a treat to Toffee’s attention means I have enough time to get the shot and she gets the treat as a reward.
Have you already heard about mammaly snacks? These treats are “snacks with benefits” and can be used just like food supplements to help your dog with a variety of problems! For example “Lucky Belly” supports a healthy digestive system by strengthening the immune system of your dog and “Fresh Smile” (Toffee’s favourite) can help with healthy teeth & fresh breath. If you’re curious about testing these snacks with benefits: mammaly offers a 90-day money-back guarantee too!
Timing
You know your pet better than anyone, which is why timing will be important when it comes to capturing your pets personality in your photographs. This also means being chill too, if your pet does something cute, you getting up and reaching for the camera will more than likely cause them to move too.
Though this isn’t normally the case with Nessi…
Keep your movements relaxed, your pet will pick up on your energy, so if you’re calm, they will be too.
Knowing your pet means you might also be able to anticipate their moves, and be camera ready to get the perfect photo!
Make them smile
When a dog is breathing through its mouth, it looks like they are smiling. And having had the breed for several years, there is honestly no better smile than that of a staffie!
A quick game of fetch and you will have a naturally smiling pup! Don’t do too much on a hot day though!
Don’t discount the outtakes!
I am terrible for taking 100 shots just to get one perfect photo, and whilst I usually delete the “bad” ones there is occasionally an absolute gem of an outtake amongst them.
The outtakes often really show your pet’s incredible personality and can give you a good laugh. These photos are just as lovely to keep as the good ones are.
Use props!
Christmas of course, is a prime example of when you can use props to enhance a photo of your pet. Providing they don’t try and eat them that is! I have to have my obligatory Christmas shot, which usually involves wearing tinsel. Last year however, I tried a Tiktok trend with a bauble wreath and was not disappointed with the result!
I’ve seen some really cute photos of dogs in outfits, or posing on various items, whilst this is cute, it’s not for everyone!
Of course, it need not be Christmas props or even anything corny, it might just be a photo of them with their favourite treats (gifted product)!
What are your pet photography tips?
Do you have any pet photography tips you’ve had success with and you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Peace out!
Jangles x
