Since communication with animals is really more of an impenetrable fortress than a barrier it can be a frustrating experience when trying to get a fantastic photo of a family pet. They can be cute, adorable, and just cherished beyond all belief, but after an hour of putting them back into the wicker basket so you can get the right shot, you might as well give up.

This isn’t an uncommon problem for professional photographers, so beginners who are trying to get a photo of an animal should learn a few techniques for how to capture great photos of family pets.

Play with them

Imagine that you escort a person into your photography studio to take their portrait. You set them in place, coldly take their picture, and then ignore them the whole time. It’s a jarring experience for the subject and they are not likely to give you a good session at all. To avoid this, you would most likely chat with them a little to put them at ease.

The same concept should be applied with animals, except that instead of chatting with them (although the sound of your voice doesn’t hurt if it’s the right tone), playing with them can put them at ease. Don’t pretend like this is a work session; play with your family pet so they know it’s a comfortable spot for them to be and they will be much more likely to placate your camera clicking off a few photos.

When they’re comfortable, let them play on their own for a moment and then quietly try and take some pictures. They likely won’t even notice.

Timing is everything

Depending on the type of photo you want to get, you will want to be selective about the time you take it. Let’s say that you want a softer, gentler photo. If your family pet is known to take a nap or get a little sleepy around a certain time of day, then choosing that time will make everything a lot easier. Similarly, time it for around the same time your pet wakes up. You’ll get a still photo of an animal with a pleasant demeanour.

If you’re looking for an energetic shot of a frolicking pet, then get them rolling around with their favourite toy. Play with them when they’re normally expecting it and you’ll have a much easier time getting the kind of energy you want.

Have patience

Since you can’t have a dialogue with your family pet to get them in the right mood, then you’re going to have to hang in there and be patient. If you really want that great photo, then be ready to calmly sit tight until the pose you want comes along.

Natural light is the way to go

Flashes are going to startle and distract your family pet. Open the blinds and let the natural light fill the room. In addition to possibly scaring your subject, flash bursts are also known for causing red-eye.

If you can, you could take it one step further and take your animal outside. At the right time of day, the natural light will illuminate your pet and make for a great photo.

Focus on the eyes

Just like with humans, the eyes make for a central focal point that captures the very spirit of your pet’s mood. By focusing on the eyes, you will capture any essential expression that your animal makes, thereby getting their personality to the forefront of the photo. A face-front position with both eyes being focuses on will get you a direct shot that showcases their expression, but if their head is turned to the side, then focus on the one showing eye.

Use a fast shutter speed

The faster the shutter speed, the better. Since shutter speed controls exposure and therefore limits blurring, you’re going to want to use a fast shutter speed so that you cut down on any active movement from your family pet.

If you want an active shot of your animal, then this becomes doubly important. A photo of your family pet running through the tall grass would look amazing, but if your shutter speed is too slow, then you’re only going to get a blurry image mixed in with some green grass.

Select a shutter speed of at least 1/250 if your pet is moving. If possible, go faster to limit any blurring problems.

Reward them

Make this a fun experience for the animal. Playing with them is great, but it can’t be the only thing you do if you want this to be repeated anytime soon. The memory of an animal is better than you may think, and if you cut out on the rewards when they do a good job for your first photo session, then they may not grant you a second one.

Stuffing treats into them will only spoil them, though. Choose when to reward them and do it in the right way so you don’t overcompensate for making them be your model. Scratch behind the ears, offer a small treat that you know they love, rub their belly, or just tell them what a good pet they are…anything is infinitely better than nothing.

Get down to their level

When shooting, make sure you work at their level. Don’t tower over them. It will seem intimidating or confusing to the animal. If you lower yourself to their height, not only will you be able to focus on their eyes, but you’ll also be able to frame them much better. This creates a much more personal photo of the family pet, as opposed to one that looks like it was taken from way over their heads.

Photographing animals whether it’s in the wild or at home can be tough. They are notoriously unpredictable and have a tenancy not to co-operate. By being patient and a bit of practice, you will be able to capture great photos of your family pets.

Photo credits: Dreamstime – All rights reserved. No usage without permission.