7 WAYS TO GET AMAZING PET PHOTOS !
As you can imagine, I’m pretty passionate about getting amazing pet photos. After all, every dog deserves to be celebrated through fantastic photos.
“The best camera is the one that’s with you” . In today’s world, that usually means your smartphone.
While it’s not the tool you’d want for the fabulous framed piece you’ll display on your mantle, it sure is handy for capturing those everyday moments. And when it comes to your pets, everyday brings new adventures, sweet smiles, silly antics, and moments you’ll want to remember for years to come. These 7 tips will help you instantly elevate your snapshots, so you get more “keepers” and photos worth sharing.
1. MAKE IT FUN
Does your dog turn away the second you point your phone at his face? While sneaky candid photos are great , sometimes you need a bit of cooperation to get that adorable posed picture your envisioning.
Enter the power of positive association.
Dish out yummy treats while you’re taking pictures, and it won’t take long for your dog to make the connection : Phone pointed at me equals SNACKS! And when your dog is not cooperating, practice patience and put down the phone for a while. Getting frustrated with your pup will only work against that positive association you’re trying to build.
While the tips that follow will help make your phone photos more visually pleasing, this one REALLY is foundational.
2. LOOK FOR THE LIGHT
All dogs photograph best under “soft light” conditions. That’s when the sun is at a low angle-think early morning or just before dusk- or the the sunlight is diffused by cloud cover.
Soft light helps avoid harsh, distracting shadows and excessive contrast. And as a bonus, that early morning or late-evening lights has a warm golden hue that gives your images a magical glow.
If you’re photographing during those lovely “golden hours”, make sure the light is landing on your pup’s face. To avoid losing all those adorable details in our dog’s face, put the sun at your back while you shoot.
3. GET HIGH, GET LOW!
Get low, which means shoot at you’re pups eye level. When you think you’re low enough, get lower!!!!! Or, tower above your pup ( treats at the ready) and shoot directly down at your furry face.
Willing to brave a torrent of drool? Lie on the ground with your phone in hand (treats as well), wait for your dog to wander over. The under-snout shot is especially cute!
4. KEEP IT CLEAN
Your background that is. ( A muddy pup is always a fun photo subject!)
Busy backgrounds draw attention away from the real star of the show-your dog. So before you hit the “shutter button”, scan the frame for any distracting elements.
Indoors : watch for piles of laundry, dirty dishes stacked on coffee table, shoes scattered on the floor. No judgement here! But take a minute to tidy up if you’re after share-worthy photos.
Newer phones offer depth of control inside the camera’s Portrait Mode, which helps blur any background distractions. The analog version: simply move our subject as far away from the background as possible.
5. CATCH THE MOMENT
When it comes to candid photos, capturing that single split-second of most meaningful action is often the difference between a good photo and a great one.
It’s the instant juuuust before the Chuckit ball lands in your leaping dog’s mouth. It’s that spectacular first splash , when your lab launches herself into the lake. It’s the heart-melting moment when your pup. and your partner gaze at each other with adoring eyes.
Nobody knows your dog’s habits better than you , so anticipate the action as you get your camera app ready and the composition set.
Using your phone’s burst mode, start shooting before the moment of peak action. Sure you’ll have dozens of photos to delete…..but you’ll also (fingers crossed) have the one picture-perfect shot.
6. EDIT, EDIT , EDIT
Before any photo leaves my studio, it goes through some serious editing and retouching. Leashes, dandruff, eye-boogers- all of ’em photoshopped out. Poof! Gone.
Okay, doing all that might be overkill for your phone pics. But at the very least , a quick edit in a free app like Snapseed will bring out the best in your photos.
If you’ve spent a minute ( or a decade) on Instagram, you’re likely familiar with common adustments like lightening the shadows, adding contrast, and boosting vibrance or saturation.
Less familiar ( but really really important) edits relate to color tint and temperature. Photos taken in the shade or on a cloudy day often have a bluish cast. Adding some warmth with the temperature slider with make those pictures so much more appealing. Likewise, play with the magenta-green color tint slider to fine-tune your pics.
And, Snapseed even has a healing brush tool. Admittedly, it’s a pretty basic stand-in for Photoshop’s powerful tools, but in a pinch it can help make that dirty sock on your floor disappear!
7. STEP INTO THE SHOT
After several years as a professional photographer, I definitely understand the discomfort you might feel around having your photo taken. But, I also know those pictures together with your pet are so very meaningful.
So, please do whatever it takes to get in the shot.
Hand your phone off to a trusted friend or partner. Or, use a self-timer app like Camera+ or the free TimerCam. Prop up your phone, or pick up a small tripod like Joby’s affordable GorillaPod paired with the Square Jellyfish phone mount.
And of course, for photographs that bring out your best- and your pup’s- you can always reach out for a portrait session. I’d love to help celebrate your special relationship!
If you’re thinking about a professional pet photography session or ready, connect with me here, I’d love to hear from you, even if it’s to simply answer some questions!
I have learned and continue to learn from the best of the best in Pet Photography Education, as pet photography is my absolute greatest passion! My other greatest passion is making sure my clients have images that make them soar with delight every time they see their artwork.
