Christmas & New Year
Getting that perfect pet photo this Christmas
Capturing memories through pet photography…
Pet photography goes beyond taking adorable pictures, it focuses on capturing the unique personality of beloved animal companions. With the growing demand for professional pet portraits, photographers are embracing this lovely art to create lasting memories for pet owners. Whether it is a puppy, a cat, or any other pet, these photographs celebrate the special bond between the pets and their owners.
“If you’re thinking about taking photography to the next level, pet photography could be the way forward”– Simon Bennett, Managing Director of photoGuard.
Camera equipment insurer photoGuard shares helpful pet photography tips as we prepare to take a lot of Christmas photographs over the next few days, many that will attempt to include the family pets.
Patience
The number one tip for pet photography is to be patient. Photographers should give themselves plenty of time to take photos, because animals are easily distracted and have a very short attention span. It’s always a good idea to allow the animal to have some time with the photographer before taking photos, mainly so the pet can get to know them and explore the equipment and the space.
Lighting
When shooting outdoors photographers need to best utilised natural light and this involves the correct setting and time of day. The best time of day for taking photographs is early in the morning or in the evening, as this will create soft lighting with no harsh shadows. When photographing animals indoors, artificial lights can be used, but it is best to do so with reflectors to eliminate unwanted shadow and to create a natural-looking image.
Background
When photographing a cat or dog, it is important to consider the background and how this impacts on the overall image. Although the eye will be drawn to the animal, the background can also convey more meaning in the story or the feelings photographers wish to tell.
Stillness
Trying to keep a cat or dog still is pretty much impossible. However, there are a number of tricks that photographers can use to help them. Giving a treat is a great way to keep a dog still and to quickly get that desired shot. Photographers can also use a squeaky toy to gain their attention and to stand still for a minute.
“Try using a range of lenses to create different effects and play around with various pieces of kit to see what works best for you and your chosen style of photography” – Simon Bennett, Managing Director of photoGuard
