Photographing your Pet
- Beth Felker
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Fun with your Furry Friend
1. Be patient, and reward your pet for posing for you
For this guy, being taken outside to fetch a stick for a photo shoot was its own reward.
While it's usually best to photograph your pets doing what they naturally do, there are those times we all want a posed shot. Whether you've put your Yorkie in a cute little outfit, or you want all three of your cats to be in on your family portrait, getting them to cooperate can be tricky.
If you order your pets around or force them into poses, they're going to get all kinds of confused and they won't hang around long for picture time. Patience is of the utmost importance here. Be calm, act natural, and they'll come to you. Have treats and toys on hand to animate them and reward them for their efforts.
2. Be mindful of the background
If you can, use a large aperture to blur out distracting background elements and make your pet stand out.
Before you get too caught up in whatever adorable thing your pet is doing, take a moment to consider what's going on in the background. Get rid of any clutter you see, or look for the cleanest angle to compose your shot to avoid any distracting elements. If you can't do anything about a messy background, try zooming in, or move in closer to get a tighter shot.
3. Get on their level
Be prepared to crouch down, get on the floor, and even crawl around on your belly to get the very best pet photos.
You'll get way more interesting shots of your pets if you photograph them from lower down. You'll capture more of their personality and show the way they see the world around them.
4. The eyes are everything
To capture your pet’s soulful expression, it’s important to be sure the eyes are well lit and in sharp focus.
If you're shooting with a phone camera or you have a camera with touch focus capabilities, just tap the screen where your pet's eyes are to be sure the focus is locked in. Interchangeable lens cameras without touch shooting have multiple autofocus points to help you get it right.
To get your pet to look at you, try saying their name or making funny sounds. You or an assistant could also dangle a toy just above the camera — this is a pretty effective trick for getting cats to look right where you want them to.
5. Use the best available lighting
Most of the time, you'll get better pet portraits if you take them outdoors, but that isn't always possible. You want to be prepared to take good photos inside or out, at any time.
Outdoor lighting
On a sunny day, it's best to find a shady spot to photograph your pet.
If you ever have questions, want to share a foster story, or are ready to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out. Bowe and I would love to hear from you.
With gratitude,
Beth Bodden Felker
Founder, Bowe’s Buddies
Bowe’s Buddies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting animals just like Bowe: those who need extra care, time, and compassion to thrive. We partner with the Allen Animal Shelter to support foster volunteers who provide temporary homes for cats and dogs in need.
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