Hey pet parents! Boo the dog here again, ready to share with you some pawsome pet photo tips to capture your best memories of your babies. We know you love to have framed pictures of us around, but sometimes we can be really difficult to photograph! We don’t know how to pose for a camera, and trying to get our personality to come through in the shot can be a challenge. If you want to learn how to shoot pet photography like the professionals, read on for ways to get that perfect shot.

Consider your equipment:

While most cell phones have high quality digital cameras built-in and can snap a decent photo, maybe first think about what types of photographs you are wanting. If your subject is going to be on the move during your shoot and you want to have good action shots, it may be worth investing in a good digital camera that has a rechargeable battery and a memory card with a good amount of storage. Cameras that have manual ISO controls are also good so you can turn off flash when necessary. Snapping purr-fect photos of pets also requires a fast shutter speed, or better yet, a continuous shutter feature that will allow you to take a series of action shots to choose from. Finally, if you are shopping for a new camera, pick one with a good zoom lens since you will most likely be getting close-ups of your pet’s face.

pet photographyConsider your pet’s personality:

In order to decide where to photograph your pet and what kind of shots you want, you need to think about what best reflects their personality. If you want to capture their true personality in your shots, think about when they are in their most natural element. Are they constantly active and playful? If so, maybe an action session at the dog park would make for a great photo shoot. Are they perfectly content cuddled up at home? If this better suits their personality, maybe a low-key session indoors in some of their favorite lounging spots is better. Aligning who they are with your location and style of photographs is half the battle of getting a good pet photo.

Consider your backdrop:

Once you’ve decided on your location, figure out what tweaks you might need to make to the setting. If shooting indoors, are there any items that clutter up your background at all that can be moved? The same holds true with outdoor locations. Are the gardening tools or hose in the yard going to distract from the subject of your photo? If there are items within your backdrop that do not enhance your photo in any way, unclutter your space. This will ensure all eyes will be on your dog or cat, not any items in the background.

puppy picturesConsider your lighting:

Good lighting can be the difference between a framer and just another snapshot. Dark rooms require flash, which can startle pets and make them anxious. Flash can also cause their eyes to have a glowing effect that looks like they stepped straight out of a horror movie. For the best photos, find bright, natural light. Diffused light is best, whether you are indoors or outdoors. This will enable you to capture the catchlights in your pet’s eyes (the reflection of light off the eyes).

Move like the pros:

First of all, as you start shooting, the thing to remember most is to act natural and relax. If you are stressed about getting the perfect picture, your pet will be stressed as well. To make them feel more comfortable, get down on your pet’s level. Sitting on the floor or laying on your side or stomach can make your pet feel at ease, and it captures photos from a unique angle. If you are wanting to get more active shots or get your dog’s ears to perk up, try playing with them a little and then pick up the camera. This will also allow them to relax and act natural, giving you more chances to get some great shots.

cat photographyFocus on eyes:

Nothing makes pet parents say, “awwwww!” more than puppy dog eyes staring straight back at them. Eyes are the most expressive of your pet’s features and can really convey their personality. To focus best on eyes, try making a puppy whine or a high pitched noise to hold your pet’s attention long enough to zoom in on their face and get your shot. Don’t be afraid to use a little treat temptation to hold their attention as well. The best times to capture soft facial expressions may be at bedtime or after an extended playtime when they are most relaxed.

Share!

Once you have a few shots you adore, hang some around your home or office, but also don’t forget to share them with the world! Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat are perfect places to share photos. Add a popular pet hashtag to get your photos noticed even more. #dogsofinstagram #inspiredbypets #petstagram #instadog #ilovemydog #instapuppy #pets #mypets

So there you have it, pet parents! I know if you try some of these tips, you’ll get those photographs you’ve been wanting. Boo, signing off until next time. Happy photographing!

Author: pwp_admin_1

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