How to Take Beautiful Photos of Your Pets

Taking pictures of our pets has become a national pastime. Most pet owners have smartphones packed with pics of their beloved animal companions, and few things get more attention on social media than an adorable photo of a four-legged friend.


Sometimes the moment is just right to capture a squeal-worthy image of our furry bestie. But other times, that perfect portrait can be elusive. We may wonder, why isn’t the camera fully catching the beauty and personality that make my pet shimmer in real life?

“It can take years of working with animals to really understand the best techniques for getting great photographs,” says Sarah Ernhart, a professional pet photographer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, “but there are some easy things you can do to improve snapshots of your own pet.”

Ernhart generously shared with us some of her best tips.

Light is Number One
“The most important consideration in taking a good photograph is the light,” says Ernhart. She advises, “Look around and notice where the light is coming from, how bright it is, and how it’s falling onto your pet.”

For indoor pet photos, Ernhart says, “A good rule of thumb is to get the pet as close to a window as you can. Make sure their face is nice and bright, and that you can see the light reflecting in their eyes. This helps create a more engaging, full-of-life photograph, both indoors and out.” 

For outdoor pet photos, look for areas that are either entirely in the shade, or entirely in the sun, rather than a location with a mix of sun and shade. “I prefer shade,” says Ernhart, “because the direct sun can be way too bright and cause very dark shadows. The best time of day to find areas of solid shade is in the evening or early morning, as the sun is lower in the sky, making shadows longer and giving you more areas to work in.”


Avoiding the Red-Eyed Zombie Look
Even the most deliciously cute pet in the world can look like a terrifying, red-eyed zombie in photos if the lighting is wrong. To avoid this, Ernhart advises, “Never use the flash on your camera. Just use the natural light that already exists.”

But what if you’re taking photos at night? It’s best to stick with daylight photography. “You can certainly turn on some extra lamps near your pet,” Ernhart says, “but don’t expect to get great images at night.”


Getting Hyper Pets to Stay Still
Ernhart’s advice for taming a wild beast is simply to tire them out. “If you’ve tried getting photos of your pets and they just won’t sit still, try exercising them a bit first,” says Ernhart. “Running some of that energy out will help them be more cooperative and focused.” 

She also suggests incorporating a little training before and during your photo session – “sit” and “stay” – to get them accustomed to responding to those commands, which helps get the pet into a good position for pictures.


Bribery Works
“Of course, we can’t expect the animals to work for free,” says Ernhart, “so it’s very important to reward them along the way.” She recommends using high-value treats to hold the pet’s attention and encourage them to work for it. But what does “high-value” mean? “Something that the pet is excited about,” Ernhart explains, “like meat, cheese, or a high-quality treat, instead of a dry, boring piece of kibble.”


It’s in the Eyes
“I love getting eye contact in my images,” says Ernhart, “and the best way to do that is to hold your phone or camera in one hand, then hold a treat or toy directly above the lens in your other hand. It can be tricky to manage both, so if you have a friend who can help, have them hold the treat while you work the camera.”


Capturing Spirited Action Shots
While the best pet portraits are typically captured when the animal is still, there’s also something to be said for a lively action shot. For pets whose energy and athleticism are a key part of who they are, an action shot can help record their personality; their essence. A good example might be a shot of a Labrador Retriever bounding joyfully into the air with his open mouth poised to catch his favorite tennis ball.

For photos like these, Ernhart says, “You need a fast shutter speed to freeze the pet’s motion. If your camera lets you control the shutter speed, start at 1/1000 or 1/1250. If your pet is very fast, you might need to raise that even higher.”

But what if you’re using your phone rather than a fancy camera? Ernhart says, “Hold down the shutter button to take a burst of multiple images. That way you can pick the best ones and discard the rest.”

Check out some of Sarah Beth Photography's stunning work below.

​You can see more examples of Sarah Ernhart’s work at SarahBethPhotography.com.

CONTENT WRITER, BARKTIQUE + MEOW

Kim Brittingham

Kim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, animal lover, and history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice.