How to Take Great Pictures of Your Pet: A Complete Guide to Pet Photography
We all absolutely love our pets and know every silly expression, ear quirk or goofy tooth but when it comes to capturing that in a picture, it can be a bit of a struggle. Anyone who’s tried knows that photographing pets is not as simple as snapping a quick pic.
If you also have a picture gallery with blurry or poorly lit photos where you haven’t quite managed to capture your pet’s personality, don’t worry, here we’ll give you a guide on how to start capturing images that do your pet justice Thankfully, a few simple steps will have a huge affect on your picture snapping and get you on the road to great reference images for when you commission a painting.
Every pet photography tip and trick here is going to be practical and beginner friendly, whether you’re using a DSLR camera or your smartphone, we can help you bring your pictures up a level.
Use Natural Light for Flattering, True-to-Life Photos
For pet photos, natural light is the key. It captures true to life colours and soft shadows that don’t distort your subject. Natural light will capture texture in fur and make your pets eyes light up without needing a harsh flash
Capturing the light
Shoot your picture indoors near a window. It’s best if your light is hitting your pet side on or at a 45 degree angle
You can also try going outside during golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) for soft golden tones. This will give a gentle, expressive feel to your photos.
Avoid using your flash as this can create harsh colours and wash out detail. The flash will also cause a red-eye effect and potentially frighten your pet taking away natural expression.
If you have a wiggly pup or a cat that won’t sit still, using natural light also allows you to use a faster shutter speed which will reduce motion blur without needing to use fancy lighting equipment.
Get on Their Level
We’re used to being taller than our pets and looking down at them but, to create a painting that connects with the viewer, it’s better to shoot your picture from your pet’s perspective. Photographing dogs and cats from their eye level capture their features in a natural way and can create a feeling of intimacy giving an image more impact. Hooting from above can flatten an animal’s features or distort them, making it hard to then capture their likeness in a painted resemblance.
So, sit, crouch or lie down to frame your shot. You can tilt your camera upward ever so slightly to give your pet a larger than life feel or you can look at them straight on. For smaller animals such as rabbits and kittens, you can try positioning your camera just below their eye level to give a sweet look to the photo. Giving a little thought to your positioning can help highlight your pets personality but it also makes them feel more like the subject of a painting rather than a prop.
Focus on the Eyes for Emotion and Expression
The eyes are the focal point of any picture. If you capture sharp and expressive eyes, your entire painting comes to life. Crisp eyes will anchor an image even if other areas of your photo are soft or in motion.
Before taking your photo, tap your phone screen to focus on the eyes (you can also use a DSLR cameras single point autofocus to place your focus just where you want it). Try to capture the catchlights of the eyes – the small reflections that makes eyes sparkle – this will make your image shine.
If your pet has dark eyes, aim for side lighting to enhance contrast. Bright eyes can add a soulful quality that turns a casual photo into a treasured memory.
Let Their Personality Shine
While a still and regal pose might be just the thing you want for your painting, don’t feel like you can’t let their personality shine through – it’s part of what makes them so special. A great pet photo should reflect that—whether they’re silly, shy, bold, or laid-back.
When trying to capture an authentic picture of your pet, consider letting them play naturally with a favourite toy and snapping some shots while they’re engrossed. You could also use treats or squeakers to bring out excited or curious expressions. Try to give some time to this process and not to force poses – the last thing you want is a photo of your pet looking uncomfortable or stressed.
If you have a terrier who always cocks their head a certain way when they hear someone knock at the door, try to replicate that noise during your pet photography session. Maybe your cat loves to bask in the sun and you wait it out until they settle in for a nap before starting your photo session. These moments can make for the sweetest and most genuine portrait of your pet.
Use a Clean, Simple Background
We generally remove backgrounds from our paintings, using a block colour to compliment your pets colouring. This can be great to consider in your pet photography too. A cluttered background can distract from your pet, especially in tight home spaces. To keep the focus where it belongs, simplify your backdrop.
Try to photograph your pet against a blank wall or plain blanket which complements their colouring. If you’re outdoors, woods, grass or sand can be a lovely clean backdrop. This can be tough as we all have busy houses but even just avoiding photographing in your kitchen or garage can help remove the potential for a lot of clutter which would distract from your subject.
You can use Portrait Mode on your phone or Bokeh effect on a DSLR to isolate your pet and blur the background.
Bonus: Tools and Techniques That Make a Difference
Even with just a smartphone, a few tools and techniques can take your photos to the next level.
Try these:
- Burst Mode: Capture fast action like tail wags or playful jumps.
- Portrait Mode (on phones): Simulates shallow depth of field to blur the background.
- Treats & Toys: Use sounds or favorite snacks to guide poses naturally.
Quick Pet Photography Checklist
Here’s a recap of the top pet photography tips:
- ✅ Use soft, natural light—avoid flash.
- ✅ Get down to your pet’s eye level.
- ✅ Focus on the eyes to show emotion.
- ✅ Capture natural expressions and favorite behaviors.
- ✅ Use a clean background to avoid distractions.
- ✅ Edit lightly to enhance clarity and color.
Print this out or save it for your next photo session!