Photographing Pets

Unlike people, pets are not camera shy. They are however full of energy and move around a lot and have no intention of hanging around the camera. Photographing your pets requires you to move around and work for the pictures.

Tip #1 : Location
Try and photograph your pets outdoors as this is where they are at their happiest. Choose a location with a clean background such as a beach or a park. Use a slightly longer lens with a wide aperture to throw the background out.

Tip #2 : Lens Selection
Pet photography favors itself to longer lenses. Pets are a lot smaller than humans, and a longer lens will allow you to fill the frame without getting too close to your pet. Try and avoid wide angle lenses as this will not only include a lot of background, but requires you to go too close to your pet which might scare him off.

Tip #3 : Light
Definitely try and avoid using flash as pets don't like flash. The best times of the day to take photos of your pet are dusk or dawn when the sun produces soft and pleasing light.

Tip #4 : Calm them down
The first few minutes after taking your pet to the beach can be a bit difficult to photograph as they will be very active. Give them a few minutes to calm down, but be on the lookout for photo opportunities as you can get some spontaneous photographs when your pets are running around.

If you would like to calm your pet down, give him a bone or a toy to chew on. This will most likely cause him to lie down which will allow you to take your time in taking a picture.

Tip #5 : Pet Portraits
When taking pet portraits, try and calm them down or do it at a time when they are less active. Use a longer lens to throw the background out of focus, and call for their attention before taking a picture to ensure eye contact.

Tip #6 : Eye Level
No matter what kind of pictures you take of your pet, they always look better if you are at the same level as them.

Tip #7 : Persistence
Persistence and patience is the key to good pet photography. Don't get irritated or cross with your pet if they don't play along with you - remember you have to make the best of the situation. Due to the nature of pet photography you must expect more hit and misses than usual, but with persistence and by following the tips outlined on this page you will get good results.