10 Tips how to photograph pets
By Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek
15 Jun 2008
1 Don't forget to introduce yourself and get in contact. Tell them something about you and what you would like to do with them. They love to hear you talking with them in a nice and soft voice.
2 Let them smell! Try to smell natural and let them smell.
3 Talk about them with their owner. They will feel that you are talking about them and love to get attention. Their owners will also maybe tell you a lot of secret details about them. Try to find out how they tick and what the like and don't like.
4 Make them some compliments. They will love and trust you quickly and will be ready to start shooting.
5 Take a few pictures and see if they feel comfortable with the camera. Be very thankfull and compliment them again for letting you taking some pictures and for looking so beautiful.
6 Generally it's better not to flash. Try to go up with your ISO setting in the dark or look for some natural light or bulbs.
7 Go low to their height. Shoot from eye to eye. This will make look your pictures more intimate and the pet will feel more comfortable with you in the same size. But don't forget to try some different angles too. Experiment and have fun.
8 Do them a favour. Do something they love. Never forget to bringt some treat! If the like to run go with them for a run and shoot them.
9 If they are in motion it can help to use a flash to freeze their movement. But also try to use natural light. Pictures not allways have to be sharp or perfectly in focus. Especially not if they do some sports and are dynamic.
10 After some sports they will be thankfull for a little hang out on their most loved place. Give them something to drink and make them feel comfortable. Now they will be perfectly ready for some loveley and easy portraits.
3 responses
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Serrano Xavier said (3 Nov 2008):
I love shooting (pics) at dogs too, and this esssy is simply amazing. Congrats!
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Marc Dynamite said (17 Feb 2009):
Wow, this is genius.
I honestly have a hard time shooting photos of my fellow animal friends, but I guess talking to them won't hurt. -
Bob Loblaw said (18 Sep 2009):
it's funny how many of those tips can be used directly with human models
