5 Simple Pet Photography Tips for Pet Parents
Every pet owner I know has a mobile phone full of photographs of their pets. We want to document our pets’ lives just as we do our childrens lives, but I’m sure you would like to know some of the tricks of the trade in taking the best pet photographs of your furry friends…
Being a professional fine art pet photographer in Vancouver, I have a few tips that may help you take great photographs of your best friend.
I know what you’re thinking…but Jane, you have a great camera, and professional lights. Yes, this is true, I do, but with the technology in everyone’s mobile phones these days, so do you…and good light is everywhere, you just need to find it and place your pet in the light (often easier said than done).
Here are a few steps you can take to photograph your pet like a pro and you will have photos you will be proud of. All of the photos I’m showing here were taken without professional lights, they are all shot in natural light…and in only the second image I used a professional camera and for all the others I used my trusty old smartphone. My old 7plus iPhone doesn’t have the best camera but I had it handy when I wanted to take the shots you see here. The best camera is the one that’s with you, as famous photographer Chase Jarvis once said, and since most of you always carry your smartphones, you always have a camera to capture that perfect shot.
1. FINDING THE LIGHT:
This is one of the most important tips when photographing your dog. When you are photographing inside, place (or lure with a treat) him/her facing a large window and stand between the window and your dog with your smart phone/camera. This light will create an even wash of light on your dog. A north facing window (or you could also place them in a north facing open door) is the softest light as it will never be harsh direct sunlight, so bonus points if you can make this happen! If you are photographing your dog outside, place them in the shade, but close to the edge of the shade where there is open sky above - this way you don’t have harsh sunlight on them. Another great option is under an overhang in its shade. Living in Vancouver, we all know that much of the year we live in overcast conditions. This can be ideal light to photograph a dog outdoors - just face your dog toward where the sun is hiding behind the clouds and you will get a nice exposure.
2. PLACEMENT OF YOUR CAMERA:
It can be really cute to photograph your dog from above him/her as they are looking up at you, but I find a much more impactful dog portrait is to get your camera down to your dog’s level. As a dog photographer, if I am not shooting with my stomach on the ground/floor and I’m not getting dirty, I know it will not be my best shot. Another option is to place your dog on a sofa, or elevated somehow from the floor, so you can get to their level. This is so worth it…give it a try!
3. USE HIGH VALUE TREATS…BRIBES WORK:
If your dog is food obsessed, hold their favourite treat close to the lens of your camera while taking their picture (hopefully they know the wait/stay command). Eye contact makes for a great photograph, but if they are looking off into the distance, that can be powerful too. If your dog is not that into treats, use a ball or their favourite squeaky toy to hold their attention for that split second you need to capture that special moment.
4. MAKE FUNNY NOISES…BUT USE SPARINGLY:
To get a great reaction from your dog (like a head tilt), you can make a funny sound, or use some type of a noisemaker like I do in my sessions. Find a kazoo, or use an app on your phone that makes duck sounds, or maybe you have a special talent of making your own funny sounds…the secret to this is the element of surprise - and be ready to take that photograph the second you make the sound!
5. PRINTING:
Just because the photos you have of your pet are not taken by a professional photographer, this does not mean they do not deserve to be printed. Take time to get your photographs printed, otherwise they remain far back on your camera roll, only to be forgotten and never looked at again, or at least not very easily found. Print them and frame them. You will be able to look at them every day…and isn’t your dog worth it?
