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Follow some simple rules for a great photograph of your pet. These ideas work even if a family member is also in the photo. Though many phone cameras are great and get better every year, the more professional photographs will be taken with an SLR camera (most are now all digital), which have a lot more flexibility with settings.
- When using an SLR camera, use a tripod for stability, and to stop any handheld motion.
- Use a wide aperture so the background is blurred for close up portraits.
- Get down to their level – position the camera at their height rather than shooting down from your standing position.
- Use a zoom lens so it is easy to adjust the framing as the pet moves around, and to get both facial close-ups as well as whole body scenes.
- Keep the background simple – eliminate clutter or a detailed background. It distracts from the pet.
- Get your pets attention for a great expression – make a noise, use a phrase the pet understands (i.e. go for a ride?), toss or squeak a toy. Cats will often watch a swinging object in midair. Be careful to keep these accessories out of the line of the camera lens.
- Enlist help – someone else to toss toys, whistle and help position the pet. It can be hard to work the camera and keep the pet in place at the same time!
- Shoot a photo session outside. Filtered sunlight or light shade can provide a more natural looking photograph than a shot in bright daylight. Do not face the camera into the sun (avoid sun glare).
- Even overcast days will work great.
- All black or white pets are the hardest to photograph – back and side lighting can help add dimension and highlight eyes and hair.
- For smaller pets such as rabbits, reptiles or pocket pets, try using natural non-direct light from a window.
- For large animals, the same suggestions apply in the outdoor arena – keep the background simple, use a tripod when possible, use filtered sunlight or a slightly overcast day.
- Use light during the “golden hour” – the warm light for the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
My personal favorite cameras are those from Canon. There is a wide selection of camera models and lenses. Even the new mirror-less formats will accept regular SLR lenses with the use of an adapter. No buying all new lenses, which are the most important and most expensive part, usually, of camera set ups.
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