We’ve all seen a photo of someone’s pet on social media that is absolutely stunning. Then wish we had photos of our own pets like that to submit to our homes.
We display photos of our loved ones because the reminder brings warmth to our home. We can also use our photography skills to make a heartwarming gift for someone we love.
While you won’t be able to go out and become a professional photographer just by reading this article, these tips, when put into practice, can really help you get the amazing shots you want.
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DIY Pet Photography
You can arrange a pet portrait session with a professional, but there is one thing you will always have an advantage over any professional. You know your pet.
Knowing your pet’s personality and character gives you an advantage to take shots that capture them perfectly. So, with these easy-to-implement tips, you can get professional-looking shots yourself.
By doing your own photos, you can save 60%-80% compared to a standard pet photo session. That’s if you have to rent the equipment!
If you already have the equipment and lenses you need then it will cost almost nothing. To check if you have the right lens specs, here’s a quick reference guide on what makes the best lenses for Pet Portraiture.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PET LENSES
| FOCAL LENGTH | APERTURE | TYPE | LENS |
| 70mm – 200mm | f/2.8 or greater | Telephoto | Zoom & Prime |
Depending on your pet’s attitude, it may be difficult to get them to stay still for staged shots. So you might consider getting some candid shots of your pet doing what they love, playing with their toys or maybe running around the yard. I assume we are not talking about fish here.
If the animal you are photographing is not your own then you will need to spend some time getting to know it. Try to get a feel for how the animal reacts to different stimuli and if you can ask the owner lots of questions.
Make sure you know their favorite treat also!
An animal’s personality is a big factor in the best type of lens to use, although you can always work with what you have. If you’re planning a candid shot, a good Zoom lens will help you frame the shot quickly as you react to the moment. While the Prime will generally give you a sharper image if you can slow down a bit and move to the position you need it to be.
Either way, you’ll want to make sure you are has good autofocus. You probably won’t have much time to use manual focus.
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