tips for taking photos of your pet

If you’re like most pet owners, you probably have 5,000 photos of your pet saved on your phone. It’s hard not to take their picture every day, with that cute little face and wiggle butt.  
 
Maybe you’ve become a pro at snapping your pup or kitty’s profile, or you might wonder how to take even better photos of your pet. In this blog, we’ll share suggestions on how to get the best pictures of your little rock star. 
 

Good lighting 

This one might seem obvious, but good lighting is always a wise choice. Cameras on smartphones (if that’s what you’re shooting with) aren’t designed to handle low-light or dark settings.  
 
Of course, smartphones are evolving to take better photos in the dark, but trust us, a photo of your pup out in the sun or your cat in a well-lit room with natural light will be what you’re looking for. That way you can see every perfect detail of your furry friend.  
 
And remember: Natural light is usually better than light from light bulbs, which can cast harsh shadows or glare.  
 

Simple backgrounds and minimal props  

Your pet is the star of the show, so why clutter the image with extra stuff? Your dog running in your backyard, or your cat standing against a wall, will help your pet shine even more.  
 
Of course, sometimes it makes sense to have an object or two in the photo, like a pumpkin for Halloween. Just make sure not to overdo it, and that your pet is still the center of attention.  
 
If you search for “How to take a great photo of your pet” you’ll notice that most photos have one thing in common — not a lot of “noise” in the photo. Your pet is truly the most important part.  
 

Burst mode  

Whether you’re using a digital camera or your smartphone camera, try using the burst mode feature, which takes several photos in rapid succession. This feature is great for action shots, like your pup catching frisbees on the beach or your cat batting at a cat toy.  
 
Also, having a series of photos to look at means there’s bound to be that perfect photo somewhere in the bunch.  
 

Rule of thirds  

If you’ve ever taken a photography class, you’re probably familiar with this foundational rule. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s the rule of dividing your image into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and placing the important parts of your image — in this case, your pet — along these lines.

This helps the photo taker create a more balanced composition. Some smartphones even offer a rule-of-thirds grid on your camera to help you capture that perfect photo. If you don’t currently see it on your camera, search for it in your settings.