Anyone who spends a fair bit of time on social media will have probably seen a lot of adorable pictures and videos of pets but perhaps you’re wondering how people manage to get them to be so well-behaved. If you’ve been dying to upload a picture of your pet but can’t quite get the snap of your dreams, we’re here to help. While we don’t claim to be expert photographers, we have done our due diligence and research to come up with pet photoshoot tips and everything you need to know about how you can take a good photo of your pet.
General pet photography tips
As we said above, we’re not expert photographers ourselves but there are some general pet photography tips that will help you get those all-important photos of your furry friends.
Have treats and toys at the ready
Much like teaching your pet a new trick, you’ll need to have a stock of treats and toys at the ready for getting your pet to do what you want. Whether it’s getting them to sit in a certain position or do a special trick, you’ve got to reward them for being a good boy or girl afterwards.
Create a relaxing environment
While you might have the perfect photoshoot spots in mind, your pet has to feel comfortable for you to get the best images. It’s all about creating a relaxing environment for them which includes not forcing them to do something they’re clearly uncomfortable with. Keep an eye on if they’re becoming stressed as that’s a sign to stop and try again another time.
Consider your lighting
As with any photoshoot, the lighting is going to make all the difference to how your pictures turn out, especially if you’ve not got all the super fancy equipment. To get the best lighting you could go outdoors when the sun is still shining, although you’ll probably want to avoid it at its harshest at midday. If indoors, go near large glass windows that can let enough light in.
Focus on their expressions
From yawns and head tilts to tongues hanging out and tails wagging with excitement, an easy way to liven up a picture is by capturing your pet right when they make all the different expressions. If they’re not doing this naturally, try making weird sounds, saying their favourite words, or using toys and treats to help speed this along.
Be patient
Even if you know your dog is obedient that doesn’t mean they’re always going to do exactly what you want when you want. That’s why it’s so important to be patient as the dog because they don’t understand that you’re desperate for a cute pic of them to share with all your followers online.
Pet photoshoot ideas
Now you know the basics, let’s move on to actual concepts for photoshoots. If you’re not quite sure what to do to make your pics stand out, here are some of our pet-tential photoshoot ideas for dogs and cats or any other pets you may have.
1. An adorable pic of them looking all comfy and cosy
You simply can’t not say aw after seeing an adorable photo of a dog or cat looking all comfy and cosy wrapped up in a blanket or two. A great photoshoot idea for dogs or cats once the weather turns colder, it’s guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of any animal lover as well.
2. A fun dog and owner photoshoot
One of the classic photo ideas for dogs is to get involved yourself! Following the idea that people look like their pooches, you can put this to the test with a dog and owner photoshoot. Even if you don’t resemble each other, it’s a lovely way to show just how much you love your pup.
3. Candid photos of your pet having fun
Whether it’s them frolicking through the park or playing with their favourite toy, a snap of your pet having fun is the best way to show off their personality. Sometimes a candid photo really does turn out better and looks a lot more natural than setting something up.
4. Snap a pic of your pet out and about
Maybe you enjoy travelling with your pet? If this sounds like you then you’ve truly got endless photoshoot opportunities. All you need to do is find a scenic backdrop and just start snapping away. The best thing about this photoshoot idea is that you’re creating all sorts of memories while out and about with your pet.
5. Get some props involved
If you’ve got the time then you could even get some props involved! Think of things like a fan to get their fur blowing in all directions, a cute costume or anything else that springs to mind and would make for some great photos.
Hopefully, you’ve finally managed to take the pic you’ve been after thanks to following all of the above tips. Not only can you upload it to social media for all your friends and family to see but why not take it even further and put it on one of our personalised photo cards.
Whilst we’ve got your attention be sure to go and check out the rest of the thortful blog where we write about everything from gift guides to special occasion articles.
