Not surprisingly, pet photography is one of the fastest-growing genres, with thousands of dedicated photography websites being created each year.
While the inherently cute nature of animals certainly plays an important role in the popularity of pet photography, there is a lot to do behind each photo. Pet photography is a sub-specialized field and is accompanied by specialized equipment and tools of this profession.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to prepare for pet photography equipment and tips:
Table of Contents
Essential pet photography equipment
1- Camera backpack
Let’s start with probably the most important piece of pet photography equipment.
A specially designed camera backpack is one of the most useful pieces of photography equipment you have ever had. With specially designed enclosures, you won’t have to spend hours searching for the missing lens cap or be concerned about your equipment crashing while starting your great shooting spot. It is recommended to go the extra mile and be sure there is a waterproof bag as well, so never get caught in the rain with expensive equipment.
2- Lens
It is recommended to have a combination of lenses as your pet photography equipment, to give you options for finding the appropriate depth and accuracy with your photos. Here are some best picks that are advised to be your side and how to use them:
lenses for action shots
This lens is used for more “moving action” or even unplanned action if the pet is too entertained to stay still. It is also excellent if you are shooting a pet sport. However, the sharpness is inferior to some others on this list. Many pet photographers use a 70-200mm f / 2.8 lens as their main lens because it is versatile and creates a perfect soft background.
Lenses for “pet eyes” shots
The Sigma 35mm f / 1.4. This lens has a slightly different perspective and feeling than any other lens and is ideal for shooting close-ups and eye-catching lights. It is perfect for those who look down from the above shots.
Lenses for daily walks and test shots
The Sony 85mm f / 1.8 lens is small, light, and easy to use, but still very good quality. It has good compression, which means you don’t have to be a million miles away from the pet, but you can still get that lovely background and foreground blur with the pet’s precise grip. In addition, this lens has chromatic aberration, and while its quality is wonderful, it is not comparable to the heavy hitter of the group.
3- Hand strap
The hand strap is so useful equipment for your pet photography because it allows you to hold your camera more easily and take some of the weight of the equation, which means you are not going to drop it. So, it is essential equipment.
In addition, using your left hand to grab the pet’s attention is very helpful, as some of the weight is pulled instead of holding the weight of the camera and lens in your right hand alone. It can help to have vivid photos of a pet looking in the direction you love.
4- Shoulder/neck strap
This is another important piece of equipment for pet photography that makes photographing easier and safer for your camera.
Finding one made in soft and beautiful neoprene, long enough to provide some freedom when photographing, but this is also a bit stretchy. Generally, the ones with the camera as standard are very limited, so it is preferred to use these more compatible versions.
5- Flash lighting
Lighting can be scary for pets, especially when using a flash that appears suddenly, and can make sharp noises, so it is important to familiarize them with the equipment so that they can rest and be comfortable, and allow you to shoot. The PIXAPRO CITI600 PRO is a battery-powered strobe flash that lets you adjust the light intensity to 1/256 of its total power for shooting small and large pets at different depths of the field. The short flash time of 1/10000 seconds, combined with the recycling times of less than one second, gives clearer images without delay. The flash also has high-speed sync, which provides ultimate light control to ensure the subject is not over or underexposed. This means that flash lighting is crucial equipment for pet photography.
6- Modifiers
When using this equipment for pets photography, it is good to know that harsh lighting does not affect flattering pets, because it can lead to glare and extreme shine if the pet has a shiny coat. It can also create harsh shadows that will not produce flattering issues even if the animal is extremely lovable or beautiful; thus, the use of modifiers to control the light in any setting is crucial. The PIXAPRO 150cm Large Umbrella Softbox is the perfect modifier for introducing diffusion layers to soften the lighting without remarkably reducing settings. The umbrella Softbox is portable and easily adjustable, while the reflective silver interior ensures that the emitted light is reflected in the set, and the black exterior prevents light leakage. This modifier generates a natural-looking light to create softer shadows. It can also be used with a honeycomb grid, that adds more focus to the emitted light to produce images that capture the soft and fun aspects of various pets.
7- Lighting Kits
There are kits available that simplify the process of selecting photographic equipment and are specially assembled to capture the best angles of different pets.
If you use your smartphone for your pet photography, the PIXAPRO PIKA200 PRO mobile photography kit is an excellent choice. This kit is very light, at the same time it is powerful because the PIKA200 PRO Flash offers 200 Watts of power, which generated 500 flashes of power charge, and also fast flash durations and recycle time. Besides, it has a 90cm Softbox which is easily adjustable and has a reflective silver interior and black exterior to optimize light diffusion. Additionally, there is a light base that can increase the maximum and minimum height of 240cm and 79 cm, particularly, for shooting pets of different sizes. The stand is secured by an air cushion, which avoids malicious damage during adjustment. The 5-in-1 reflector can be used to create various color effects depending on the kind of shooting you are doing while removing shadows or dark spots.
8- Long leash
When your pets can’t be off-leash, probably their reminder is not great, or the law requires it, alternatives such as long leashes are essential. But not every long leash.
A 5-meter- long leash photography equipment has interesting features that make it great for use during pet photography sessions. The carbon-coated corrosion, resistant joints, means you can get it without rusting, even if you put it in your bag and forget to try it after a photography session. It has a full-length rubber handle that helps you hold it without getting burning your hand. It has a Traffic Control loop near the collar to provide you the additional grip when needed, and ultimately, the handle is not a loop, preventing it from getting stuck.
Furthermore, it can be released on the ground, giving you the ability to pick it up or stand on it if the pet decides to rest.
9- Sunseeker application
This is an ideal app for your pet photography.
It works by providing you with a live 3D “Augmented Reality” view, you just point your phone at the sky to see the live image and add a cover of the sun in the sky and show you exactly where the sun will be and what time. Another feature is the ability to take still images with Sun Seeker coverage, so you can save them and refer to them later to help schedule your pet photography session.
It even reduces the need to search for places at the time of day or even the time of year you take pictures because you can set the date in the app to change the coverage accordingly.
The ability to see the exact place and time of the sunset and its path in the sky during the day is invaluable.
10- Accessories
Pet photography is much more than technical equipment. To feel ready and free to discover your creative expression, you need some useful accessories such as:
Spare Lens Caps
These little caps get lost in the hustle and bustle of shooting, so it’s a good idea to buy a few and carry a few extra items in your camera bag.
Extra SD cards and batteries
Because sometimes you are sure that you packed and charged your batteries, but while shooting you may find out that they are not charged.
You can even invest in a car charger for your DSLR batteries. This way, you will never be caught without power.
Spare loop leash
If you need to control your subject for a short time for any reason, it is great to have it on hand in the camera bag. Thin black leashes are especially useful because they are easy to edit out later.
Raincoat
Rain is certain at times. You may love it, it is atmospheric, and it creates dramatic scenes. But we only love it when we are ready for it.
Water
If you are not hydrated, you cannot be 100% in your A game andA-gamesubject will be the same.
Snacks
Especially if the shooting is long. Because no one does a good job when they are hungry.
Toys
Sometimes these toys can help strengthen the pet or motivate him to repeat an action. Toys also get the pet’s attention towards you and the camera
Tripods
You need tripods for certain idea or shoot such as reflections shots.
8 Pets photography tips
Pet Photography is not difficult when you understand how you can feel comfortable with your furry best friend in front of the camera and how to creatively capture high-quality photos of them.
Knowing how to photograph pets is also a great way to practice for better photography in general.
Here are a few practical and helpful tips to make your pet photography as easy and convenient as possible for you and your pet.
1- Schedule the pet photography session
The success of the shooting can sometimes depend on the right planning. If you plan to take portrait-style photos of your pet, you will have a better chance of taking your pet in a relaxed state when they feel drowsy or have just woken up. And if you are looking for dynamic action photos, it is better to capture photos when they are energetic. You can generally get them ready for the latter by playing with them. Sometimes you can be lucky and take both calm and action photos in the same shooting session. To achieve this, begin with the pets feeling more relaxed.
2- Carefully plan your photos
For really compelling photos of pets which tell a story, you need to show them in context. Conceptualize a photoshoot theme; then, plan your key shots, and also what you may have to do to create them. You may like to include items, such as pet toys or food, that express desire and excitement. Add variety to your photos by choosing different places of the location that you can put them in and planning for different activities.
3- Use natural light
You do not have to worry about flashes and complicated lighting settings when pet photography. The best option is to use natural, and continuous light that does not scare the pets or lead to red eyes in your photos. Whether you are using ambient or studio lights, the general rule is to look for bright, diffused light that helps generate more attractive portraits.
If you are in partially darker places or if the pet does not react well to brighter light, you can always increase your ISO to photograph action shots at fast shutter speeds even in darker spaces. The higher the ISO, the faster you can take pictures. If you are photographing outdoors, cloudy days are usually best for offering even, diffused lighting. Sunny days provide more challenges for pet photography sessions than cloudy days; hence, do not worry if the weather is cloudy.
Do not forget that your subject has enough light or white reflective parts in the eye to prevent the eyes from looking flat and dead.
4- Use fast shutter speeds
There is one reason why pet photography can be so difficult. In most cases, you should use a camera that provides fast shutter speeds to stabilize action. This conveys that you also need to know how to configure camera settings manually.
Some digital cameras provide a programmed pet mode, but it is generally not enough to take well-exposed shots; thus, the best option is using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or at least a special application that lets you adjust manual camera settings. Using animal-based face recognition settings, such as those offered on some Nikon, Canon, and Sony models can be helpful. But if possible, photograph in burst mode, thus you can shoot different poses without removing your fingers from the shutter button. This gives you many options to select from.
5- Change perspective
Be creative and try to shoot from different perspectives, angles, and points. There are no hard and fast composition rules in photography, sometimes the funniest images are off-center or a little weird.
Pets are closer to the ground than we are, so think about lowering to their level. When you bend over on your knees or lie on the ground, you suddenly see things through their eyes and from their perspective.
Sit your subject on a bench to separate them from the ground, this allows you to aim for creative angles. Zoom in for a close-up nose, or an accurate image of the eyes.
If your pet photography session is outdoor, be sure to check your background for objects next to or behind the pet.
Studio photography against the color background of the block keeps it simple, but if shooting outside, pay attention to photo booths, people walking around the pet, trash cans, light posts, other pets, and so on.
6- Grab their attention
Attracting pets is one of the most essential skills that should be developed for photographing pets. If you want to keep them steady, try this simple trick: allow them to play quietly, and get your pet’s attention after getting ready with your camera and finger on the shutter. As soon as they look at you, click on the shutter, and you can photograph them with full attention on you and your camera.
Once you get their attention, you may be able to take a few simple pictures of them sitting calmly. Be careful not to make any sudden moves, as they will likely cause them to jump and follow you. Move slowly and avoid making eye contact when changing positions. If they start moving or playing, keep photographing in burst mode for the best chance at a perfect action shot.
7- Focus on the eyes
While pet photography sessions, remember always to focus on the eyes. It is said that the eyes are the window to the soul, and this is no different for animals. One way animals show their emotion and character is via their eyes.
Shiny bright eyes, sad, drooping eyes, blinking, sideways glances, looking upwards; each different eye movement reflects their emotions at that time.
Attractive photos come from making sure your pet’s eyes are captured in the photo.
As we look into each other’s (and animals’) eyes, focusing on the eyes helps the viewer to have an immediate connection with your pet.
8- Be patient
Apart from camera equipment and photography knowledge, another essential thing that pet photography needs is lots of patience. Noticeably, pets cannot follow certain instructions unless trained by an expert. Simultaneously, they absorb human energy, so if you end up feeling stressed or frustrated, they will feel it and will start to reflect on your feelings.
The worst thing you can do is to speak with a loud voice and repeatedly instruct them to do certain things, because this will only confuse or frighten your pet. Don’t forget that they can feel you, so the calmer you are, the better your chances of having the proper photo. However, you can resolve many small problems in Lightroom and Photoshop. Focus on the pets and keep them entertained throughout your session, and don’t worry about small bugs such as saliva or dirt that you can fix later.