Here are some great tips to help you take that fantastic photo of your special pet.
Taking a great photograph of your pet requires a little planning, and a lot of patience. There are lots of variables to consider – your camera equipment, photographic experience, the type and personality of your pet.
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First, choose a place to set up the shot where your pet will be comfortable, at ease and won’t get easily distracted.
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In some instances you may need to set up around your pet - ‘go to him’ rather than bring him to you or to your ‘set’.
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Placing young kittens or puppies in a decorative container of some sort eg flowerpot, basket, etc can assist in keeping them from roaming or ending up on your lap.
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You don’t want your backgrounds to distract from your ‘star’ - sometimes the best locations are the plainest ones (for example a solid wall, rug, blanket, expanse of grass, etc).
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If outside, keep in mind wind or any factors that might distract your pet, including unexpected noise, activity and tempting objects.
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Make sure there's enough contrast – for example, a dark background for a light-colored animal
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Your pet is likely to have a short attention span, so have everything organized and on hand before you start photographing. Aim to get as many shots as you can within the time you have. This will give you more choice later when selecting the best photograph.
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Unlike people, it’s not always possible to get your pet to sit and smile on cue! A little bribery with food treats can do wonders in keeping your pet interested.
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Get a friend to act as your assistant. It can prove extremely difficult to keep your pet ‘posed’ and looking at the camera, as well as taking the shots. Your ‘assistant’ may need an assortment of visual props and noises to maintain your pets attention, (however, these need to be used in a low key manner – you don’t want to over-excite your pet and lose them!)
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Rather than looking down on your pet, get down to their level (lie on the floor or if practical elevate them), so you are focusing on their eyes and face.
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To capture a more intimate and personal shot, have your pet take up as much area within the frame as possible.
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Where possible, try for natural light, because a flash can prove very off-putting for your pet, and will often result in a red ‘demon’ eye effect.
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Natural filtered light (through a bit of cloud cover) will give you the best results - photograph only when the sunlight is behind you or to the side of you. This will prevent your picture from being overexposed, which dulls the colors. Avoid direct sunlight, if possible.
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Very dark pets can be difficult to photograph. Note that where a pet's fur is black, using a flash can bring out the texture and hues that may otherwise be lost in the low lighting that may prove ideal for most other pet colours.
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Make sure you focus on the eyes, especially if your camera has a multi-point autofocus - out of focus eyes can ruin an otherwise nice portrait.
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Depending on your subject you may get to take ‘stills’ while your pet is still, but you might also have to play paparazzi, following your pet around to capture that million dollar shot. You’ll need to stay prepared - autofocus can help you capture the right moment. Press down halfway on the shutter release button to pre-focus - this way, the camera won't have to focus when you're ready to take a photo.
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If your pet is highly active, then the goal is freezing their action, by using a fast shutter speed (either electing to use manual or ‘sports’ mode depending on your camera type and your confidence).
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With pet photography you have to accept that the only party in real control here is your pet – it is they who dictate the action, your role is to be prepared and make the most of every opportunity.