CAPTURE YOUR PET’S CHARACTER
Elke Vogelsang gives tips on staging pet shoots in her photography studio
When we’re work with animals, our top priority is to remain patient and calm. The pet needs to have fun, and get loads of rewards for its good behaviour. These photography sessions should be regarded as entertainment, and bonding time for you and your pet.
When a dog arrives at my studio, I give it some time to sniff around and get used to the situation. I also fire off a test flash to see how the dog reacts to it; if the dog is too nervous, using continuous light rather than flashlight might be advisable. For sensitive dogs, I’d rather go for an enclosed outdoor location to make sure the session is as relaxed as possible. Still, a little bit of positive excitement is great to make sure the dog shows an interested and lively expression.
For this, I have a variety of little helpers, like noise-makers, but I always make sure to start with low-volume noises, like whispering behind the camera. I’ll sometimes start by offering low-priority treats, especially if I don’t know the dog yet; a treat-obsessed beagle might end up sitting on your lap instead of posing for the camera if you get out the cheese first. Also, I only use toys if the dog is not too obsessed with them; seeing the object of their obsession could mean that the dog forgets or ignores basic commands.
Pet portraits are best captured with a telephoto lens, as it portrays the dog in a more elegant and natural way. However, for humorous or funny images, I use a wide-angle lens, using quirky barrel distortion to enhance the facial expression of the animal. The choice of focal length also contributes to how the personality of the dog is portrayed.
Action shots can also lead to joyful, funny portraits, like the dog snapping for treats or shaking his head. For this you need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 sec, or higher for faster action. Use your camera’s continuous focusing setting to help you keep a moving subject in focus.