Pet photography has become increasingly popular over the years. Not only are more individuals finding themselves in the market for a photo of their own animal, but more and more photographers are specializing in the taking of photos of animals. The combination of the the two has led to some of the best photos of animals in history, and it is no surprise that many pet owners want to find a way to get a photo of their dog or cat that rivals those that they see online. You may want to consider getting a photo of your pet if:
- You consider it a part of your family
- You want a clever display piece
- You want to show off your animal to others
- You want a contemporary piece to display with all the other photos that you own.
The Basics of Pet Photography
Photo Credit: Flickr addvisionstudios
Contemporary pet photos tend to be a breed apart from those of the past. With growing numbers of individuals keeping pets as their surrogate children and treating them as part of the family, pet photos have become something of an art unto themselves. While the photographs are often adorable, the care put into making the images rivals that of any photograph of a human being. Most individuals that take these photos specialize in the process, as working with a dog or cat is often quite a bit different than working with a human being that can more easily understand the process.
Animal photograph studios are quite common, as are mobile photographers. These individuals specialize in not only getting the best possible image of a pet, but at putting the animal at ease during the process. The end result is often a clever, beautiful picture that is worthy of display.
Why Pet Photography?
There are many reasons to choose to have your pet photographed. The most common, of course, is simple affection. Pets are every bit as much a part of the family as humans for some, and there is no good reason not to have a photo or two of the animal lying around. Unfortunately, most animals are notoriously difficult to photograph – the presence of the camera more often inspires fear or curiosity than a desire to sit still, and many photos are ruined by an animal that moves out of the way. As such, animal photographers are often the only individuals that are able to take an image of a pet that will actually display the best qualities of the animal itself. These photos can be displayed quite easily with the rest of the photos of the family, and they are also quite useful as examples of the dog’s looks and behavior for those that breed.
Readying Your Pet for Pet Photography
When it comes to animal photos thousands exist. Many are of animals with a great deal of experience in taking photos, but the bulk of the images are of pets that are simply caught in candid poses. If you want your pet to be able to take a picture that is suitable for your professional lifestyle, it is always wise to do a bit of work with the animal beforehand. It takes quite a bit of training to get a pet of any type to sit still, so getting the animal used to the entire process can be it quite a bit easier.
It may be wise to start by simply getting your pet used to lights and cameras. Have the animal sit still in an area that is brightly lit, preferably with a camera pointed at them. If they are willing to follow commands, the process will be easier on picture day.
Finding the Right Pet Photography
Finding the right photographer can often be the most difficult part of actually getting a photograph of your pet done. There are some photographers, such as Amy Soper, that are able to coach great photos out of reluctant dogs, and organizations like Seattle Shoots Pets tend to have a great deal of success with animals. Less experienced photographers, such as those with more experience shooting a Sears portrait, might find the process of shooting a photograph of a dog to be significantly more taxing. As such, it is always wise to find a photographer that will actually has experience in this type of photography. With a little effort, though, one should be able to find a photographer that has at least some experience in creating portraits of any sort of pet.
If you want a photograph of your pet, you should always be prepared to be patient. Not all animals are natural models, and not all photographers can coax a great performance out of a shy animal. Take the time to find a photographer with whom you feel comfortable working, and make sure that your pet feels equally as comfortable. Pet photography is an art form, and it often simply takes time to get the right image of any specific animal. Make sure to prepare to spend quite a bit of time at the shoot, and be prepared to spend quite a bit of time comforting your animal during the process. It may be strange for animal to sit still in bright lights while a stranger gives it commands, but at the end of the day your pet should feel quite happy and you should own a picture of which you can be proud.