Tips For Pet Photography

This next photography article is near and dear to my heart! My pets are some of my very favorite subjects to photograph. Jeremy and I melt over old photos of our pug so I try to take as many as possible of our new dachshund. It's not always easy to photograph (hyper) animals but here are a few tips that might help... 1. Use Treats. (Duh, right?) This is the easiest trick in the book! Just grab your pets favorite treat (or toy) and hold it directly above or beside your lens. I took this photo of Dolly today and it took me 20 photos to get one good one because she was jumping around so much... worth it, though! Without the treat I probably wouldn't have gotten a usable photo.2. Use Props. This photo of my mom's pug, Gigi, was taken on the day we brought her home. I grabbed a salad bowl from my kitchen table and set her in it. Brand new puppies are a little bit more calm I don't think I could get either of my (older) dogs to sit on a bowl now! Work with what you have a try different props until something works.3. Dress Up. Cheesy as it may be, animals in costumes are ADORABLE. I love costumes and the more your pets wear them, the less they will mind them. Here's an iPhone pic of Dolly stealing my glasses...

4. Use Window Light When taking an indoor photo of your pet be sure to turn OFF your flash and use natural light. We've all seen photos of dogs and cats with "devil eyes" which are caused by using an on-camera flash. Turn your flash off for a much nicer image! If you are low on light guide your pet near a window. Position your back to the window with your pet in front of you (facing the window). Most of my favorite indoor photos of my puppies were taken using this method.5. Pose With Your Pet When you are in the photo with your pet there will automatically be more personality, even when your face isn't shown. I think it highlights the family aspect of having a pet. Photos where you are snuggling, playing or sleeping will be treasured memories that you will keep! I hope these tips inspire you to take more photos of your furry friends this week. xo. elsie 

 

Photo Credits: All photos by Elsie Larson except the first image is Kelli Trontel and the last image is Janae Hardy. 

Comments

[Vanita]

Great tips! Pets are perfect to practice my photography skills on.

http://www.houseofavandan.com

[Jean]

Pets are so fun to photograph (even though i don't have any of my own), and yes, treats are a good key!! :)

and cute dogs! wish the boyfriend didn't have allergies.

[Betsy]

love love your DIY. would you and your sweet group do an Easter egg tree? i would love to see your spin on it.

[lacey]

perfect! just inspired me to take a few shots just now! thanks!

[Vivi K]

Ahh so cute! Your dogs are adorable! I really want a pug of my own now... :)

http://vivikstyle.blogspot.com/

[Jenna]

Thanks for these tips! Sometimes I think my dogs are featured more prominently on my blog than I am! This tips are going to be helpful :)

You can see one of them in this post! http://theawkwardindiegirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/black-or-white.html

[Andrea]

Wonderful tips! Can't wait to give them a try. Thanks for posting them.
http://andrea-summerlovin.blogspot.com/

[Casey]

The words "go" and "outside" are usually pretty good at grabbing my dog's attention hah!

Also, I am officially obsessed with your photo garland over the bed!

[Rae Veda]

Dolly is so adorable. I can't wait to get a puppy of my own. xo, rv

http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/

[Megan]

I saw a mini dappled dachsund puppy the other day and thought of you! So cute!

[Sophie]

this is my favorite post of your's to date! this is really saying something considering how much i admire your blog. as a owner of three cats (one deaf, one one eared and mostly blind, and another crazo), i'm always up for some animal appreciation.
plus, i just started my own blog just three days ago! animal photography is just what it needs! i have posted a portrait i did of my long hair in formal star trek attire.
the blog itself is still pretty rough (html is blowing my mind. so simple but so annoying) but i've been posting and will have a regular feature, anatomy and physiology wednesday (i need a catchier title) up tomorrow after class.
Come visit me at http://princessrhyme.blogspot.com/http://princessrhyme.blogspot.com/

[Tabetha]

Keep the photo tips coming! The whole series has been amazing!

http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

[brooke field]

these are great tips for pet photography! i need to get better at not giving up when my pups are hyper :)

[Danielle]

Oh my gosh, that first pic is utterly adooorable, I love how you can see the blur of her tail wagging! I'm obsessed with taking pictures of my cat; he's easily my favorite subject to photograph. Pet pictures are the best!

[em]

these are great tips! & you have really cute pets! i will definitely need to put these to practice! :)

[CrochetBlogger]

It helps to have a super cute pet. I especially like your tip about posing with your pet ... that first photo is adorable!

[Rebecca Abigail]

Love your little corner of the blogosphere (oh dear, is that term still relevant?), been following for ages. All your tips are quite fantastic. I can never get a good shot of my pets...because they're rats!

[Natasha Fatah]

This is super helpful! Thanks for sharing.

[sécia]

Using treats is the best! I get the best shots that way. Yay for photography tips!

♥ sécia
www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

[Shannon]

Awww... such cute pups! Great advice.

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com