HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR PET

Siozon Article 12/20/11

As a pet photographer, pet owner and animal rescue volunteer, I see how much pets are loved. My photography business centers its focus on pets being part of the family. Pets-Kids Photography believes that pets…are like kids!  Our pets mean the world to us. Some pet owners may hold their pets in their designer bags. All pet owners hold their furry babies in their hearts!  Take a minute to read my tips and start taking beautiful pet pictures that will melt your heart!

TIP #1  Pick a solid background to minimize distractions from your pet (as the subject). When it comes to choosing the background for photographing your pet, first consider the color of your background compared to the color of your pet.  For example if your pet is light-colored, a dark background will provide strong contrast for your picture Conversely if your pet is darker colored, choosing a light background is a good choice Keep the background simple without busy patterns on furniture or on items visible in the picture. If you do want to include patterns in the background (ie from a pillow or from the curtains), keep a distance(10 feet or more) between the pet and the background in order to blur the background images. You want to blur the background to minimize distractions that will compete with your subject (your pet).

TIP #2  Photograph in natural light.  Using  your on camera flash can startle your pet with the bright lights. It even startles most people! In place of using a harsh flash and using a natural lighting, have your pet by a window (3-5ft). It also depends if the window has curtains to soften the light or no curtains which means that you need to give more distance between your subject and the window.  By having your pet face the window, you will softly highlight your pet’s features (i.e. the eyes will glimmer).   When taking the picture you want to stand with your back to the window.  Avoid standing in front of the window (with the camera directly facing the window) because this will cause your subject to look in silhouette, or the flash will be triggered and the soft, natural light effect will not be achieved. 

TIP #3 For outdoor shots, take the pictures either early in the day or before sunset.  You want to avoid the bright sun glaring on your subject’s face.  Also during the hot, summer days, it is better for your pet to avoid being overheated from the sun. You want your pet to be relaxed and comfortable when taking photos.  If you are photographing outdoors in bright sunlight (i.e. during noontime), place your pet in a shaded area (ie under a tree or under an awning of a building). If photographing in a shaded area, flash use will add the necessary lighting to your pet’s picture to enhance lighting in that situation.

TIP #4 Take pictures using different viewpoints. While posing your pet directly in front of your camera gets you a nice picture, try photographing your pet’s profile. By positioning yourself above the pet (maybe the pet is sitting down and you are photographing standing up), you get a different viewpoint of the pet. Conversely by placing your pet above the camera (the pet is sitting on a chair or on a raised platform and you are sitting on the floor pointing the camera up at the pet), your subject will appear to have a grand pose.

Pets are part of the family. Pets grow up so fast! The pictures you take will give you memories that will last a lifetime!