How to Take Great Pet Photos
Five Pet Photography Tips for Any Camera: Whether you need a photo for a Project Pet painting or just for Snapchat, these quick tips will get you maximum cuteness.We've seen a LOT of doggy close-ups sent in for Project Pet events. Every pet is truly, fundamentally, adorably beautiful... buuut that doesn't mean every photo is a great pet portrait. So, let's talk quick fixes for making every pet photo count!
1. CLAMP A BINDER CLIP ON TOP OF THE CAMERA TO HOLD TREATS
Simple, cheap and effective! This especially works well if you're taking pet photos with a smartphone camera. Balance a Greenie, a carrot, a bag of catnip, or a favorite toy in the binder clip (you can use a twist tie or rubber band to hold it in place if needed). Your pet will look at the camera and have an eager expression on his or her face.
Be generous with treats so your pet learns that looking at the camera = reward!
2. NATURAL LIGHT IS BEST.
Don't use the flash, especially if you're using a smartphone camera or a point and shoot. Using the flash for pet portraits usually makes your dog or cat looked bleached out, and turns their eyes bright red or bright white.
Take photos of your pet during the day using natural, ambient light. If you're doing indoor pet photography, your pet's nose should face a sunlit window. For outdoor pet portraits, the best times are sunrise to 11am, or 3pm to sunset. Again, make sure your pet's nose is facing the sunlight.
3. FIND A CONTRASTING BACKGROUND.
Photograph dark pets against light backgrounds, and lighter pets on darker backgrounds. Your pet's fur and features will get lost in a background that's too similar to their fur color, and the photo won't be eye-catching.
Remember to move distracting objects out of the way – your pet will stand out more and the portrait will look more professional if blankets, toys, household clutter and other objects are picked up. If you have other pets in the house, make sure their paws and tails don't inadvertently end up in the picture! More than a few doggy portraits have been ruined by a sibling pup's tail wagging into the frame at the last second.
4. GET CLOSE. FOUR FEET OR CLOSER.
Your pet should fill the frame of the picture, and the details of their fur, feathers or scales should be crystal-clear. Getting close also helps minimize the number of potential distractions in the background and foreground. If you’re taking a full-body photograph, make sure you don’t accidentally crop a paw, a tail, or the top of the head. Always take more than one shot of each pose, just to make sure you frame the shot correctly.
5. STAY IN A FAMILIAR PLACE. NEW SMELLS ARE DISTRACTING.
If you try to do a pet photoshoot in an unfamiliar place, dogs are likely to be more interested in sniffing out the location, while other pets like cats or rabbits might just be frightened. To capture your pet with a relaxed, happy expression and natural body language, take your photos at home, in your yard, or at a frequently visited spot. If you take your pet on location to a park, beach or friend's house, give them an hour or more to get used to the new surroundings before you pick up the camera.
6. BE HAPPY AND RELAXED. YOUR MOOD RUBS OFF ON YOUR PET!
A dog photoshoot (or cat photoshoot or bird photoshoot...) is hardly ever easy, unless your pet is already trained for the camera. Keep your mood lighthearted and patient, so your pet understands that photoshoots are a fun and relaxed activity. If you get frustrated, your pet will, too. Praise your baby for following commands even when you don't get the shot, treat generously, laugh, and have fun. We promise you'll get better pet pictures from it, and you'll teach your pet to enjoy the photoshoot process.
Great pet photos make great pet paintings. Learn how to paint a realistic pet portrait with us: https://www....aint-your-pet