’Tis the season to practice capturing the perfect pet portrait! When it comes to how to take good photos of pets, these 12 tips will help you become a pro.
Among tips for taking holiday photos with pets, practicing your pet’s obedience skills beforehand is key! Knowing how to get them to sit and stay easily will make your photography session feel less like a training class and more like a fun bonding experience.
Look at online resources like Instagram and Pinterest for style, props and composition ideas. Maybe you want your dog to look like Santa’s little helper. Or perhaps you’re envisioning them as the gift under a twinkling Christmas tree or resting peacefully in front of a lit Hanukkah menorah. You can find all these ideas and more on social media.
Although your pet may be the center of attention, look at where you’re taking the photos. Is it messy or distracting? Is the space well-lit? Do you want to add props like a blanket or a special toy? Does your pet seem comfortable? Will you be blurring the background or keeping it in focus?
Natural lighting is always a great option. If you plan to photograph your dog outside, consider doing the photo shoot in the morning or late afternoon (during the golden hour), when the sun is not at its highest point. Truly, this isn’t just a tip for the holidays. Natural lighting is helpful for taking good photos of pets at any time of the year.
To capture natural lighting indoors, try to avoid using bright lights and the camera flash. Instead, position yourself between your pet and a window. By standing at a slight angle, you’re not casting a harsh shadow over your pet. Christmas lights can look good in a photo, but you’ll want to make sure they’re not stealing the spotlight from your pet.
Before you begin, think about your pet’s personality—is there something unique, like the way they sit or how they tilt their head, that you want to capture? Do they often lift a paw? Showing off these traits can make you and your audience smile.
How do you get your pet to focus on the camera? You can capture your pet’s attention by keeping their favorite rewards on hand. Your pet will pay more attention when their beloved toys and delicious treats are in front of them. For some pets, a squeaky toy encourages adorable head tilts and facial expressions. Keep a noisemaking toy nearby!
Rather than waiting to take a picture when your pet is perfectly in position and staring at the camera, be snap-happy and take as many photos as your pet will allow. Photographing pets can be tricky, especially if they move around a lot—you can edit down to a few of your favorites afterward while they’re napping.
If you want to focus on your pet’s cute-as-a-button nose or their pink toe beans, zoom out a bit wider than you want when taking the picture. This way, if you don’t like how it looks cropped, you can go back to the original photograph.
If you don’t have a tripod, hold the phone or camera with both hands for stability. Position your elbows tight to your side, take a deep breath in and start snapping photos as you breathe out. If you have a tripod, try setting the timer and jumping in the picture with your pet.
There are many free apps on your phone for photo editing, like Adobe Lightroom or VSCO. Play around with the settings and have fun.
Remember that your pet’s safety and happiness are the top priorities. Be sure to reward them for their excellent job at modeling!
Now that you know these tips for how to take photos of pets, grab your smartphone and get snapping!
