How to Take Great Photos of Your Pet

Taking Photos of Your Pets

Do you want to win the sponsored by the Patch and Kensington Veterinary Hospital?

To help you, here are some tips from our good neighbor and portrait photographer, Nan Phelps. Here is what Nan has to say.

Her specialty, when it comes to pets, is photographing them with the people they love. Nan says that often, pets are the first ones ready for a family shoot, and consider themselves to be the most important. They pace and smile as the humans primp, watching closely as she set up. 

Five Easy Photo Tips

Here are five recommendations for getting the best family pictures with pets:

1. Leave the leash off or it will have to be retouched out later. 

2. If possible have the people sit in chairs, on steps, or even on the ground where the pet can be an equal member. This also allows everyones' faces, even the pets, to be closer together.

3. Have the pet be with the person s/he loves the most and/or who can handle him/her the best.

4. Turn the pet somewhat sideways, so as to get the best shape of thebody and also to minimize indecent exposure.

5. Always focus on getting the pet’s expression, telling humans that they must look at the camera, not at the pet. Ask for the pet’s favorite word: often it is 'cookie' or 'squirrel'. A pet will look at the photographer with ears up and eyes alert when the right word is used. This also makes the humans laugh.  

Pet really turn up the joy in a family portrait. They love being a part of the action and are always smiling. 

Happy clicking. Enter your pet's photo now.