What You Need to Know to Take Fantastic Pet Photos

Whether you want to make it a business, volunteer your time and skills for shelter pets in need, or just want to create better memories of your own furry friends, pet photography is a specialized skill that takes some careful technique and knowledge. If you are ready to improve your pet photography, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know from the best gear to lighting, camera settings, working with treats, and more. 

Coming to you from Adam Goldberg with Westcott Lighting, this excellent video tutorial will show a huge range of tips and techniques for photographing pets. Even if is not something you plan on doing professionally, knowing how to capture great photos of furry friends can help you create great memories. It is also a fantastic way to volunteer your skills; animal shelters are almost always understaffed, and studies have shown that dogs and cats are most likely to be adopted when they are represented by good photos. Just be prepared to be extra patient! It might take a bit longer than usual, but it is well worth the time and effort when you see the results! Check out the video above for the full rundown from Goldberg. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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5 Comments

Thanks for asking. It can take up to 10 minutes sometimes to get the ideal photo. Sometimes it takes us less but we like to take our time. When photographing owned animals, they usually tap out after a 90 minute session but we give play and potty breaks too.

Excellent tips, never knew some peanut butter is toxic for dogs.

Thanks so much! Most are okay but it’s good to be aware of those nut butters that do.

Thanks so much for sharing and the kind words! So glad you found out tips helpful!