Top tricks, hacks and tips on taking photos of your pet

We know just how hard it can be to snap the perfect photo of your pooch or feline friend. They seem to know when you want to capture their pose, and do their best to avoid looking at the camera or your phone! 

So, we caught up with our in-house photographer, Ben Hanson, for his top tips on taking the best pictures of your pet, just like the professionals do. 

Then, to put Ben’s advice to the test, we asked our Internal Communications Manager, Lauren Skinner, to photograph her cats…

Make the most of natural light

Try placing your pet next to a window, or as close to one as they’ll let you – even if it means moving furniture – so you can achieve the perfect lighting.

Use your phone’s light if needed

If you can’t move your pet, or want to capture a candid shot in poor lighting, shine your phone’s torch at them while taking a photo with another device. While torchlight won’t be as effective as natural lighting, it can help to illuminate your pet!

When there’s no second phone/camera available, or your phone’s torch isn’t strong enough, you can manually change your camera’s setting to help with low light shooting.

Get creative and change your perspective

Instead of taking a photo from above, try getting down onto your pet’s level. Crouch down or lie on the floor to change the perspective of your photographs. 

These new angles really can refresh your style, while focusing the camera on your pet’s eyes can make for a soulful portrait – if that’s what you’re after!

Top tip: Try taking a photo of your cat through their play tunnel if they have one! It’ll add creative depth to your photography.

Have a go at reflection photos

Take a photo of your dog’s reflection in a puddle and flip the photo, or capture your cat gazing through the window, to add some interesting elements to your shots! 

However, this photography technique might be a little trickier than the others, so will likely take some practise to get right. 

Use a treat, ball or toy

Taking photos of your canine companion or feline friend is much easier with some help! Getting someone to keep your pet engaged and distracted with a treat, ball, or toy will allow you to handle the camera without having to multitask. 

If you’re alone, you may be able to hold a bribe with one hand, and snap the photo with the other.

Top tip: Hold the treat, ball, or toy where you’d like your pet to look, but behind the camera – so it doesn’t get in the way of your snap!

Less is always more!

A messy or busy background can distract from your photo’s subject. 

In case you can’t change what’s behind your pet, get in close so you don’t show much of the background and keep the focus on your cat or dog. This way, they’ll get the attention they deserve!

Editing your photos

Now that you have your photos, it’s time to make them even better with some editing. 

Most phone cameras include tools to straighten crooked framing, enhance the existing colour, and adjust exposure to really make your pet ‘pop’ in their picture!

Top tip: The cropping tool is great for eliminating unwanted background elements.

Have fun and enjoy the outtakes

Sometimes, the best photographs end up being the ones we didn’t mean to take! The ones where we’re attacked by wet kisses mid shoot, or we’re left with the blur of a distracted pet. 

Whatever you end up with, some of them might not be perfect – though make sure you have fun, regardless.

Remember: You’re making memories with your pet and creating something to remember them by!

Taken some shots you’d like to share? Show us on our Facebook page and let us know how you managed to capture your cat or photograph your pooch!