Pet photography tips for beginners: how to take great photos of your pet

You get to experience first-hand just how adorable your furry companion is, but capturing them on camera to share with the rest of the world can often prove difficult. From struggling to get your cat to look directly into the lens, to contending with a particularly playful pup or simply choosing an attractive background, pet photography can be quite the challenge! That's why we’ve put together some useful pet photography tips (with the help of our lovely members) to help you photograph your precious pet family.

1. Use a treat or toy to hold your pet’s attention

Playful, super sleepy, or just a little bit mischievous, one of the trickiest parts of taking a photo of your dog or cat can be keeping their attention while you get the perfect shot. One way around this is to grab one of their favourite toys or a treat, and hold it up right next to the camera so you can snap them staring up to the lens wide-eyed and alert!

2. Cats love a catnap, so snap away

Getting a good photo of your cat doesn’t have to involve them being awake — be opportunistic. Cats in particular can be hard to photograph when they’re awake and exploring, but they do love a nap. Make the most of your whiskered friends' quiet time and get snapping. You’ll be able to take as many photos as you wish, as well as trying out different angles, meaning you can get the perfect photo of your feline friend snoozing peacefully in no time.

3. Get down onto your pet’s level

Trying to show off your puppy's gorgeous brown eyes, or your kitty's sweet pink nose? To get a good photo of your dog or cat, try getting down to their level to take photographs. Crouching, kneeling or even lying down will allow you to get a more detailed shot of your pet and their adorable features. Looking for a snap that captures both your and your pet's best angles? Check out these top tips on how to take the perfect dog selfie.

4. Turn off the flash

Consider the time of day and lighting conditions. Remember, unlike us, pets aren’t prepared for a flash, and they aren’t a fan of them either - you won't get a good photo of your dog or cat by startling them. Try to avoid taking photos where a flash is needed, opt for daytime settings where you can, or well-lit indoor areas if you can’t resist a snap in the evening.

5. Get outside

Pet photography 101: nature is your best friend when it comes to background! Getting outside to take photos doesn’t only help with lighting, it’s a great way to capture your pet’s personality! Most dogs come alive on a walk, so take your chance to get photos of them running, playing or rolling in the grass. And it’s not just dogs you can get great shots of outdoors — cats love basking in the sun on a warm day and seamlessly fence hopping.

6. Activate 'live' mode

Trying to get one perfect snap is a lot of pressure for anyone new to pet photography, so activate 'live' mode on your phone, or another similar format that allows you to take multiple pictures at a time. That way, you're not restricted by your pet blinking or walking away - your phone will snap away while you focus on getting your pet's attention.

7. Make sure the light is facing them, not you

Ever taken a picture that you think is going to look ADORABLE, only to find that your kitty or pooch looks like a silhouette? We've all been there - your feline friend does look cute on the windowsill, but to get the best exposure you can, you'll need the light source to be facing them, rather than coming in from behind. And if your strong-minded kitty just won't move, consider taking your pictures from the side (by placing your camera on the windowsill) and add another light source (like a ring light) behind the camera.

8. If your cat loves the TV, run with it

Not literally, of course! A great rule of thumb with pet photography is to take their lead (again, not literally). Rather than positioning them in a photogenic spot and fussing with their angles, get snapping when they're relaxed. And as lots of our fluffy friends find the TV simply mesmerising, stick on a few pet videos and come out with photos of your pet looking engaged and thoughtful.

9. Don't zoom, crop

If you're into close-ups of your pet pal's adorable face, we get it. Unfortunately for us budding pet photographers, our fluffy friends aren't huge fans of having a camera in their face (can we blame them?). So, rather than zooming in from across the room to get your perfect shot, instead take the photo from a distance your pal is comfortable with and crop the image later. This will help to maintain the photo quality and avoid any annoying fuzz or blur!

Looking for pet photography inspo?

Our sitters love to share photos from their house and pet sitting adventures. Take a look at the TrustedHousesitters Instagram to discover the furry faces shared by our members. Or why not search our house and pet sitting opportunities to find your own pet pal to photograph? With adorable animals around the world looking for a pet lover like you to care for them while their pet parents are away, it's a great way to make picture-perfect memories and put our pet photography tips to the test.