We are a nation of pet lovers and just like we enjoy having photos of our human family around the house, most pet owners also like to have images of their pet family. This month is National Pets Month, so the perfect time to talk about photographing animals.
As a photographer, working with animals comes with their own challenges.
- They are incredibly unpredictable.
- Most pets move; especially dogs and puppies, they naturally run around which means it can be difficult capturing images in sharp focus.
- Their attention span is very short and they’re easily distracted, so patience is definitely a virtue when photographing them. You can’t always be sure that the time you’ve allowed for will necessarily provide the opportunity to capture the images you want. Also, you have the allow time for the animal to get comfortable in your presence.
- If the owner wants images that capture fleeting moments you can’t always guarantee that the pet will be co-operative!
Important photographic aspects to think about when photographing pets.
- The best angle to get images of pets is from a lower point, near the ground. Being down on the ground makes them the main focus of the image rather than the whole vista around them.
- I have to be sure to choose the correct aperture, shutter speed and ISO because of course, animals move and I want to get them in sharp focus.
- Too much light can be an issue when for example, the animal might be black and white; even with their face might be half and half, as many dogs are. The issue with this is, that too much sun would cause shadow and you may end up being unable to see all of their features. Therefore, on a bright sunny day, I have to consider where I position my subjects. It’s actually better to take photos on a less bright day.
- If I want action shots, I need to ensure I don’t crop off paws or ears!
What can owners do to help?
- Allow time for the pet to get to know the photographer, and see that you are comfortable with them, especially if they are used to protecting you from strangers.
- Have edible treat handy to bribe them.
- Have their favourite toys on hand so they can play in between photos, or their toy may add to their comfort.
- Be willing to move into positions that the photographer will ask, so that your pet can be looking at you, which in turn means the photographer gets a better photograph.
- Ensure that any nerves they have as owners about either the photoshoot, or how their animals will behave isn’t passed on to the pet. Otherwise, sometime can be spent training owners too.
I had one particularly nervous dog, who doesn’t like being around strangers. However, I managed to capture a perfect photograph of her looking up at me, because her owner was standing directly behind me.
On another shoot, the owner had three black poodles, and it took time to get them all looking the same way at the same time, but we managed it. I captured an image where they were all sitting perfectly and all looking in the same direction; at their owner.
If you’d like to book a photoshoot for your pet or working animals, then please contact me on: neil@moore-photographics.com
