We often photograph what we like and post it on social networks, but how can we take advantage of the desire to share our life to better transmit our work? Today we explain how to photograph dogs and cats if you are or want to become an influencer, dog stylist, handler or simply want to work with pets.
Making photographic content with dogs, cats and other pets can become a real challenge that could damage your image or prevent you from achieving your desired goals.
That’s why we thought we’d create a guide to pet photography to help you capture more fans and avoid some of the most common mistakes.
Tools and approach
Some time ago we would have told you to buy at least a semi-professional camera.
Nowadays the smartphone market has made a dream come true: to carry an excellent camera with you at all times.
The first piece of advice is, therefore, that if you don’t have a reflex camera and don’t have the possibility to spend a lot of time on post-production of your shots, buy a phone with a good built-in camera. Some are available at a very good price and offer similar if not better features than many pocket cameras. We advise you to read this article to get an idea.
While the tools can be bought cheaply online too, the “approach” will require entirely personal resources.
Some animals are more willing to cooperate than others. And since they can be convinced to do some things but not all, you will get only what they give you and what you are able to capture, but it will not necessarily be what you had in mind.
The first thing you need to know is that the animal’s comfort comes first. If it doesn’t feel like doing it, it will be a mistake to force it! Professional animal photographers say that the most important thing is patience. Calmness and gentleness will create a relaxing atmosphere for the animal.
Patience in photographing pets is a three-step process:
- Wait until the animal is in the pose we want.
- Take a burst of images
- Repeat as many times as necessary
Capture the action
Just like people, some pets are more active in the morning while others prefer the afternoon. Pick the perfect moment and use it to your advantage to capture them doing what they love; spontaneous photos are always the most appreciated, especially when it comes to animals.
If you take a look at the home of your Instagram feed, most of the animal photos you’ll see will be dogs trying to chew on their favourite toy or playing with each other, and the same goes for all other animals. Immortalise your friend while they are happy and at ease to get more “likes” or “shares”.
Atmosphere and light
Obviously it is not only the photo that counts.
The right light and choice of location are fundamental to taking a good photo. If you ignore this, you risk taking bad or unsuitable photos for Instagram. If, on the other hand, the environment and the angle of the photo are right, it is enough to adjust the light to be able to upload the photo. If not, you will have to start from the beginning.
If you want to photograph dogs and cats for your business:
- Avoid a dirty or messy environment (it is natural to have scissors, clippers or other tools in the way. Try to keep them out of the frame).
- Choose a background that highlights the animal’s fur (not a white dog on a white background, for example).
- Preferably choose frames that do not cut off important details (paws, tail or even your background mark, which must be visible).
- Finally, make sure that the protagonist of the photo stands out, natural light will help you.
Therefore, be aware of these components when you have to take a photo. Often, the beauty of your pet is not enough to achieve virality and gain more popularity.
Once you take the photo, spend some time on post-production. You don’t need to buy expensive software. You can enhance it with filters on your smartphone or with a free app. We recommend Snapspeed, also available for iPhone.
By following these steps, likes and shares will be assured.
Dogs clean and cared for: “clean the dog up before you shoot”
If you’re looking for popularity as a pet influencer, before you jump into a photo shoot, make sure your dog is clean and presentable – after all, no one would let themselves be photographed if they were unkempt!
The cleaner and more scented your pet is, the more likes and views your profile will get. This is especially true for puppies that users love but are particularly difficult to photograph!
We know that puppies are always on the move and ready to discover the world around them. They are never still and to control them you have to have a thousand eyes. When they play outside, they don’t think twice about rolling in the grass or digging holes in the garden, getting dirt all over themselves. If you are a good amateur photographer, you will be able to capture the funniest and most tender moments, but first you will have to wash them!
In this case, our puppy and sensitive skin shampoo is certainly the best choice! Its cleansing and emollient action is aimed at protecting the most sensitive skins, thanks also to green tea and angelica extracts and delicate plant-based surfactants, typical of Yuup! Now it’s up to you to put these tips into practice and become a pet influencer! And mention us in your photos so we can share your results!
