5 Easy Tips for Great Pet Photos
Watch the video, then read below for more details and tips!
Try a New Perspective:
Perspective helps to tell your story and heightens the emotional effect of an image. One sure way to make your pet photos stand out is to shoot from a unique perspective.
For the 2020 cover photo featuring Henri Sachson and the shelter kittens, photographer Karen Sanders stood on a six foot ladder and looked down on the group to capture the spontaneous joy of play. But you don’t have to go to those heights to get a great photo.
Get down low and shoot upwards or shoot from an unexpected angle. Adding another object—like a croissant—will show depth-of-field and an alternate point of view. An unexpected crop, as in the image of the King Charles Spaniel, eliminates distractions and focuses on what’s important—the story of two best friends who are always by each other’s side.
Make it Fun:
One reason we cherish our pets so much is they make us laugh and love in bold and unexpected ways. But when we try to capture that spirit in a photograph, we ask them to sit and be still and listen while our face is hidden behind some strange object. Then we confuse them with lots of—often contradictory—verbal commands. Everyone ends up frustrated.
A better approach is to start with a period of play. This allows the dog or cat to get comfortable around the camera and environment. It also gets them tired, and we all know a tired dog is a good dog!
Some of the best photos, though, come from those everyday moments when your pet is just having fun being their silly self. Make sure your smartphone is always close by so memorable moments—when your best friend breaks out in dance, your Bulldog jumps in the river to catch a rubber duck during Ducky Derby, or your Frenchie tries to steal your lunch at CP Burger—can be frozen in time.
Get on Their Level:
Unless you are going for a unique point of view, getting on the same level as your pet is absolutely essential. First, a towering human holding a camera can be intimidating to even the most laid-back animal. Getting on their level makes most pets feel more comfortable. Getting on their level will also allow you to focus on the eyes, their most emotive features.
Sit on the front porch, step on a nearby bench, or lie on your belly in the grass. You can even have a friend or family member hold your pet up, as in the photo of the tiny kitten. If your pet is a horse, then bring a step stool! Just remember to relax. And always make sure their eyes are not just the focus, but are in focus.
Celebrate Places You Love:
There’s no shortage of gorgeous photo backdrops in and around Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. A car ride up Independence Pass or a hike to the Smuggler observation deck can provide great opportunities for pet portraits. And the magic of Photoshop and other smartphone apps means we don’t have to break any leash laws in the process.
Not in the mood for a ride to the mountains or a hike? Consider bringing your crew to your favorite hangout and belly up to the bar for a once-in-a-lifetime image. Or keep it simple and just take a walk outside, as our friends at The Aspen Times did for their colorful and fun group photo taken on Aspen’s pedestrian mall, just down the street from their office.
Add a Pop of Color:
Simple but colorful objects—wrinkled tissue paper, an afternoon snack, a lei from an old Halloween costume, or your favorite chair—can be fantastic props and provide lighthearted fun for your pet. This may be the easiest photo tip of all because you just have to take a quick look around your house. Or better yet, pick up something fun at the Aspen Thrift Store and do two good things at once!
A pop of color can transform an otherwise sweet and simple photo into something truly spectacular.
Online registration for the 2023 Aspen Animal Shelter Pet Calendar is open now through August 15th. You can also pick up a registration form at the shelter or email us at AspenPetCalendar@gmail.com.
We are always so excited to see your wonderful photos each year. We hope these 5 Easy Tips will make the pet photography experience more fun for you and your pet(s). We can’t wait to see what you surprise and delight us with this year!
