Pet portraits have become increasingly popular over the last several years. It's a genre that's not too challenging for portrait photographers to expand into. Let's face it; people love their pets.

They're beloved family members and, whether included in a family portrait or posing alone, their images are cherished. However, like photographing children, they come with some challenges and surprises.

If you're shooting a family portrait that includes a young child and pet, the challenges might be Olympic level! You will need to be exceptionally gifted at settling down both humans and pets long enough to capture enough quality shots among many blurry ones.

What is pet photography?

Pet photography is relatively similar to shooting other portrait photography - including sports photography and children's portraits. Pet photography can involve an active, adorable subject that won't always cooperate.

Below we offer some tips that can make your custom pet portrait sessions a bit easier.

1. Speak with the owners beforehand

It's good to have a conversation with the pet owners beforehand to better understand the pet. This will help you decide how to structure the session. Here are a few things to ask:

You'll want to ask them about the animal's training.
How does the animal respond to commands from strangers?
Is this a calm animal or an active one?
Will the pet be scared or made nervous by the lights, cables, and even sounds?
Consider the venue for the photoshoot. Will it work for that pet? For example, if you're shooting in a public park, you probably won't be able to let a dog off-leash to capture them running around.
Do they want a formal, still portrait or a casual portrait that captures the animal more spontaneously?
Ask the owners to walk the animal just before the session, so they've used up some energy and are, hopefully, calmer.

2. Bond with the pet

It's probably worth spending a few minutes before you start the session to bond with the pet. Play with them and let them know that you're their new friend and not a threat in any way.

3. Use bribery

A pet isn't going to understand more complex posing commands. You will want to know beforehand what works best to entice the animal to follow a basic order. Treats? Toys? Whatever it is, have the "bribe" at the ready during the session!

4. Shoot at their eye level

Pet portraits are like most human portraits - you'll want to shoot at their eye level, not yours. It creates a more intimate portrait. Shooting from your eye level distorts the viewer's perception and can make the animal look smaller than they really are.

5. Camera settings

If you're working with an active animal, consider treating the session like a sports shoot and use a fast shutter speed. Set your camera to shutter priority mode or manual mode and use a shutter speed of at least 1/250. If you're shooting action shots, such as a dog running, use an even higher shutter speed.

6. Patience

As we've said, shooting pets can be similar to working with children.

You will need a lot of patience and be prepared for the unexpected.
Get the animal comfortable with you before you start shooting.
Take your time.
Expect some downtime when everything stops.
Talk to them as you work.
Don't force anything, or it could backfire.

7. Plan the lighting

Use natural light whenever possible, especially if a pet is likely to be scared by studio lights or a flash. Shoot outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon/early evening if possible. If you're shooting indoors, move close to a window or glass door for natural light. Try not to pick one with bright sunlight. That can wash out the image.

8. Set up for success

If you already know that you're taking portraits of an active dog, set up the session to win, not fail. It's no different than with a child. Setting up a portrait session where the dog can do "their thing" is more likely to end successfully — plan to shoot part of the session with the animal running around at play.

Trying to force an active dog to sit through even a short 15-minute session would be a lesson in futility. You will need to be ready to squat down and shoot quickly. Try some burst shooting. Be prepared to move around.

The more agile you are, the more patient and the more flexible about expecting the unexpected, the more likely you are to get some genuinely great pet portraits. Plan as much as possible so you're ready for the portrait session. And speak with the owners in detail about their pets.

Basically, be as diligent as you would be for any portrait session, except it will be a pet rather than a human being.

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