If your phone’s camera roll isn’t mostly pictures of your pet, are you even a pet owner?
For many, there is no such thing as too many pet pics. Every day, it seems they find a new way to be cute or funny. And obviously, it must be captured! We get it because we’re the same way.
But unlike when you’re photographing people, you can’t always set the perfect scene and get the perfect post. So it’s normal if a lot of your pics end up looking blurry, dark, or just weird. Let’s fix that!
1. Get the lighting right
Just like with people, pets look best when lit with natural light. Remember that you want them to be facing the light rather than having the light behind them. While it may be tempting to use the flash if you’re shooting at night, try to avoid it as it can scare pets to see a bright light unexpectedly. If you need more light, try to use lighting in your home strategically.
2. Get their attention
When trying to get the perfect shot, a little incentive can help. You can hold a treat or their favorite toy either right behind or right above the camera. That way, they’ll be much more likely to face you. Just remember to take several shots quickly when they do get in the right position. You may even want to experiment with burst mode for the most possible options.
3. Play with perspective
Sometimes what makes a photo really interesting or beautiful is the perspective. When in doubt, get on their level so you can get a face-on photo. But don’t limit yourself to that angle. Try also getting below them and shooting up or standing above to get them looking up at the camera. A different position may show a different side of their personality – and cuteness.
4. Use props
Want to show just how adorably tiny your kitten is? Place them in a cereal bowl! Want to capture how silly your dog’s face gets when he sees his favorite toy? Have your camera ready right as you take it out. Costumes are ok too, but just make sure that your pet is comfortable and safe. And if they seem like they don’t like it, take the costume off right away.
5. Try this video hack
It can be hard to snap a photo at the right time, so try this workaround: Take a short video of your pet and then scroll through each frame slowly. When you see one you like, simply take a screenshot, and voila, perfect photo!
6. Get up close and personal
You probably have lots of shots of your pet that all look somewhat similar. To mix it up, get closer than you normally do to focus on their face, a part of their face, a paw or tail. The quality of newer phone cameras is pretty amazing, so you can get beautiful macro shots that show every whisker or the unique markings of their fur.
7. Have fun!
Our pets can often sense our moods, so just keep it light and fun. Instead of being focused on getting a certain shot you have in your head, be open to what they’ll do. Talk to them in a sweet voice while you shoot, stop for occasional pets, and take a break if it seems like they’re not into it. Most importantly, always have your camera ready to capture a spontaneous moment!
