ESSENTIAL PET ADVICE
start taking quality pet pics with these top tips
READ YOUR SUBJECT
UNLESS YOU’RE PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR OWN PETS, ASK THE OWNER ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS SO THAT YOU CAN PREDICT THEIR BEHAVIOUR.
GET DOWN
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO CREATE AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH THE VIEWER IS TO SHOOT AT THE PET’S EYE LEVEL.
REWARD YOUR MODEL
BE IT TOYS OR TINS OF TUNA, MAKE SURE THE ANIMAL KNOWS THEY’LL HAVE A NICE TREAT AFTER POSING FOR YOU.
TELL A STORY
BY CREATING A NARRATIVE IN YOUR IMAGE, THE AUDIENCE WILL BE MORE ENGAGED IN WHAT’S HAPPENING.
STAY CALM
ANIMALS SENSE YOUR EMOTIONS AND RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. EVEN ON THE MOST CHAOTIC SHOOTS, TRY TO KEEP YOUR COOL.
SET UP FIRST
PETS GET BORED EASILY, SO TEST ANY NEW SETUPS WITHOUT ANIMALS FIRST. INTRODUCE THEM WHEN YOU’RE READY TO SHOOT.
CAPTURE CHARACTER
EVERY SUBJECT HAS THEIR OWN PERSONALITY, AND PHOTOGRAPHING THIS WILL MAKE YOUR IMAGES MORE PERSONAL.
KNOW YOUR KIT
AVOID FUMBLING AROUND WITH CAMERA SETTINGS, OR IT’S LIKELY THAT YOU’LL MISS THE BEST ACTION SHOT.
PLENTY OF STORAGE
USE HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-CAPACITY MEMORY CARDS, WHERE POSSIBLE. FIRING OFF BURSTS OF ACTION SHOTS QUICKLY FILLS UP SPACE.
HELPING HANDS
AN ASSISTANT (OFTEN THE PET OWNER) CAN BE HANDY FOR KEEPING YOUR SUBJECT IN THE RIGHT POSITION.