Want to take some memorable portraits of your furry friends but don’t know where to start? Getting a good photo of your four-legged friend is a lot different than taking pictures of people, but it’s not harder. Follow these simple tips for quick shots!
Plan your photo
Before you get started, make sure you have a photography plan in mind. Will you use props? Costume? Remembering this ahead of time will help you avoid immediate distractions.
Use natural light
When photographing your animals, always try to use natural light by photographing outside or placing yourself in a well-lit room with windows. The mix of low light and the fur on our companions can often mask their fine features, resulting in indistinct images. The artificial light from flash can frighten or make them nervous, only adding to the difficulty of getting the perfect shot.
Get everything ready
When you leave your furry companion in front of the camera, you don’t have time to set up and adjust. Make sure your set, props, lighting, and camera are ready to go first.
Keep it calm
You only get headaches if you try to take pictures in a room full of other people or animals. Keep the scene quiet and calm to minimize distractions and maximize your chances of success.
Optimism up
Animals are very intuitive and can sense your mood. If you start to become agitated, the animal may become more anxious and rebellious when photographed.
Have a helper
Having someone who can quickly adjust the light or get the animal’s attention while you keep taking pictures can be of great help. This helper can also give a second opinion on whether the photos taken are enough or if more is needed.
Take as many photos as possible
It’s not realistic to assume you’ll get the perfect shot on the first click. Whenever possible, make sure you take a lot of photos so that you end up with plenty of editing options and choices. If you took 50 pictures, there’s a good chance you took a decent photo.
Attention is needed
To get your furry friend into the lens, make sure you have some attention-grabbing props on hand. For dogs, keeping their favorite squeaky toys or treats kept a little behind or to the side of the photographer will help them sit still and focus on the photo. To draw your cat’s attention to a photo, try a unique toy or sparkly wand to get them to look into the lens.
Practice makes perfect
Try not to get too discouraged if your first try doesn’t go well or you don’t get the best shot. As you become more comfortable and have more opportunities, you’ll get to practice more and eventually get those perfect shots.
Patience is the key
The most important tip for photographing furry friends is to have patience. Animals in front of the camera don’t understand your intentions or how important this portrait is to you, so they won’t want to sit still for too long when they may be playing or sleeping. It may take longer than you expect to just get a good photo, but when you practice patience in your efforts, you’ll get a lot closer to your ideal shot.
If you’re taking pictures of your pets to post on social media, tag us @OntarioSPCA on Instagram and Facebook!
