Four-legged Friends
Pets are funny. Take, for instance, Hunter, our beloved family dog. At Christmas time, my two boys, ages two and four, and Hunter, eagerly await with great anticipation the opening of their gifts. Yes, there are presents around the tree for Hunter too, he knows it, and he waits with no small amount of anxiety his turn opening. When a turn for him finally arrives, he tears into his present, vanquishing every trace of wrap and bow, and proudly parades around the house with his prize, head held high and sparing no amount of pomp. It’s unquestionably entertaining. My kids love him and frequently break into the pantry to sneak him treats. He’s patient when they tease him and run away with said treats, and he allows my littlest one to cuddle and climb on him. He’s also a great listener and an incredibly hard worker, always making sure the floor is clean after the kids eat. We certainly love our pet, and why not? He’s family.
According to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), seventy percent of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. That’s a lot of pets! The health benefits of owning a pet have been thoroughly studied and are tremendous. Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, encourage us to get out and exercise, ease loneliness, and even help you get a date!
Pet photography, believe it or not, is a sizable market, helping owners preserve their memories. Considered members of the family, the desire to get professional-looking photos of their pets makes sense. But what if you are trying to capture that perfect moment yourself? There are plenty of ways you can go about it, but here are a few tips that work well with dogs to get you started.
Treats, treats, and more treats! Hunter will bend over backwards for a treat so having them can assist in capturing his unique expressions while holding his attention.
Promote play during the shoot. This has worked well for me when trying to capture that action shot of Hunter running or jumping to catch a ball.
Set the scene. Get some props or toys and use them to help stage the environment. This was great for capturing that sophisticated photo of Hunter resting by the bookshelf.
Capture the right angle. Try shooting from a variety of different angles for that unique photo. Some of my favorite shots came from having the camera an inch above or completely resting on the ground. Don’t forget to get his good side.
Getting that perfect shot of your pet can be vastly rewarding, helping the memory last. Nothing, however, beats the genuine love you share every day with your favorite four-legged friend.