Do you take pictures of your fur-baby? Maybe you are wanting your fur-baby to be part of your holiday card. As we have our cameras in our pockets, it becomes easier to take more pictures of our pets. However, sometimes our dogs become easily distracted… SQUIRREL!
Thankfully, we receive many pet parent testimonials from our clients using Glyde™ Mobility Chews. They often send in an adorable picture of their pet with the testimonial. Since we’ve seen so many pet pictures, we feel we’ve become somewhat experts at what makes a good pet picture. That's why we have compiled this list of tips you can use now to take better pictures of your pets.
Here are 6 tips you can use to take great pictures of your pet.
Exercise First
If you have a young puppy or active dog, it’s often a good idea to take them for a walk to get them tired so they are ready to be calm and sit for a picture. Of course, the key is you don't want them too tired that they want to lay down or sleep. Depending on the dog will depend on what’s best to get them worn out.
Hold a Treat
Nothing gets a dog’s attention like a treat. If your dog knows how to sit for a treat, this is a perfect way to get them to sit for a picture. Be sure to hold it near the camera or where you want them to look because their eyes will be fixed on the camera. The more pictures, the more treats. This makes it more fun for you and your dog.
No Flash
If you’ve tried taking photos with a flash, you have probably noticed your dog’s eyes take on a more ghoulish shade of yellow or green. There is a reason this happens: it’s due to the construction of your dog’s eye. Unlike human eyes, your dog’s eyes have a reflective layer in the back of their eyes. This helps them see better at night. Does your dog’s eyes turn red with the flash? This is because the flash is coming from blood vessels at the back of their eyeball. Either way, natural lighting is best for doggie photos.
Lower the Camera
If you are trying to take a picture with your dog looking up at you, the photo just won’t be as good as it would if it was looking at the same level as you. To remedy this, go to your dog’s level and take photos from their point of view. It also makes their expressions cuter when you are closer.
Clear the Clutter
Keep in mind the background. If you get the cutest photo ever of your pet but your dirty laundry is in a pile behind them, will you share the photo? Most likely, no. Be sure to prepare the background as much as your dog. What’s in the entire frame is noticeable. Outside photos make for better backgrounds than all the stuff in our daily lives.
Hold the Phone
For videos especially, think about holding your phone "hamburger, not hot dog." This means hold the phone horizontal, like you are eating a hamburger. Not vertical, like you are eating a hot dog. We live in a horizontal life. Think of your television screens, your computer screens and other devices. There is a lot more to fill the space when you hold it like a hamburger. However, it seems most people, or 94% of us, now hold our cameras vertically. It’s harder to edit things out when you hold your camera this way.
Just as with every picture you take with a subject, be sure your dog is comfortable in their environment. The better they feel, the better the photograph will be. Soon enough with practice, your dog will "know the photograph drill," just as they know others when you repeat it often enough. Get those pets ready and start snapping some great pictures!
