| The business of pet photography | | | | photo later if you must. |
| Pet photography is a lot of fun and many people are | | | | Try a number of angles and poses. It's nice for the |
| attracted to doing it, either just for fun or as a | | | | customer to have some variety and gives you more |
| business. Pet photography is not necessarily a | | | | chance to sell if that is your objective. |
| lucrative business, however. Although it sounds easy, | | | | You know what's interesting about a good pet |
| it's not. To be successful you need to create photos | | | | picture? The expression. People love to look into the |
| that are much better than people can create on their | | | | eyes of their beloved pets, so get good expressions, |
| own. You do have one thing going for you, however. | | | | and get in close. It makes the viewer feel close to |
| Even though many people have nice cameras, very | | | | the animal. Make sure you get some good close-ups |
| few have good lights, and even fewer know how to | | | | and some "head shots". Then, get some of the pet's |
| use their equipment effectively under many | | | | funny side. Try to capture its unique personality. |
| conditions. So, if you do what they won't or can't do, | | | | Where to "shoot" your pets |
| you'll get a name for yourself. | | | | Outdoor photos |
| Many professional portrait photographers avoid | | | | Outdoor pet photos are very nice, but there are a |
| photographing pets, because pets present a big | | | | number of things to keep in mind. Many pets will run |
| challenge, about the same as an infant or toddler. To | | | | away fast, so you might have to keep them on a |
| get good at pet photography you need lots of | | | | leash or have the owner hold them. In addition, |
| practice because pet behavior varies widely by | | | | outdoor lighting can change frequently because of |
| individual and type of animal. Try practicing on your | | | | clouds. The best time for outdoor photos is before |
| friends' pets by offering them a free sitting. Once | | | | 11 a.m. and after 2 p.m. It's best to have the angle of |
| you do the portrait sessions you can often get extra | | | | the sun lower, around 45 degrees, if possible, and |
| orders for prints if you have a nice printer. | | | | behind the camera. As long as it's behind the camera, |
| To get good pictures you will need some quality | | | | it's okay for it to be off to one side. |
| equipment, techniques, animal behavior knowledge, | | | | If you want the pet to be in a shady area, such as |
| and loads of patience. It's a good idea to have a | | | | under a tree, it's best to use what's called "fill flash". |
| trained assistant, too, especially for large dogs and | | | | That can be the on-camera flash or another |
| horses. Get quality equipment, too, and make sure it's | | | | off-camera flash. It's also possible to use a reflector. |
| durable. | | | | This is a large piece of reflective material that an |
| Typical customers for pet photography are affluent | | | | assistant can use to aim reflected light into the |
| people who love their dogs, people who breed or | | | | shaded area. |
| show dogs, etc. The best markets are big cities like | | | | Indoor studio |
| New York, and the suburbs of those cities. When it | | | | In a studio you have time and control working in your |
| comes to customers, it's better to have a few | | | | favor, and the animal can't run out of range. A studio |
| customers that pay well than a bunch of | | | | does not need to be complicated. Your "studio" can |
| penny-pinchers who want a lot for nothing, then | | | | be in a garage, basement, or room in your house. |
| complain when they don't get it. If you can do a | | | | You need about 10 feet by 10 feet minimum, but 12 |
| large shoot and produce a lot of good quality | | | | by 12 feet is much better. You need your |
| pictures, you can earn a bunch of money from one | | | | background supports and crossbar. Keep all your |
| event. Plus, customers tell their friends and you can | | | | cords out of the way as much as possible for safety. |
| get a lot of referrals. After the event, you'll have lots | | | | In a studio you can have people come one at a time |
| of work to do sorting out photos and printing orders, | | | | or host an all day pet photo shoot. |
| so don't try to do too many per month. It's best to | | | | Running a large pet photo shoot can be a lot of fun |
| keep your customers happy. Pet photo shoots make | | | | for all participants but you need to plan it well in |
| great school, club, or church events. | | | | advance and be completely ready for it when it |
| Want to sell your photos and not have to do any | | | | starts. You can pick a place such as a side room in a |
| printing? Use a service like . You can set your prices | | | | school, church, business, or similar location. |
| to whatever you want. Shutterfly takes a | | | | Sometimes, to get publicity, you can do one at a flea |
| commission, but they do all the work, and they have | | | | market. If you do a flea market, it's much different |
| the best equipment. Besides, they have a lot of | | | | than a studio. At a flea market, it's more difficult. You |
| other products, too, like calendars and notecards, | | | | are better off just having a basic system and doing a |
| even mugs. ameras | | | | few shots for a modest price. Then, hand out cards |
| To get good photos of pets, you need to work fast | | | | and show some samples of what you can do in a |
| because most pets are restless in a studio and likely | | | | studio. I have a lot of fun props that I can use but I |
| to move suddenly, no matter how well they are | | | | don't take them all to large photo shoots. I might |
| trained. This means you need a fast camera. Many | | | | take a few. |
| digital cameras have a slow response to pressing the | | | | If you do a large photo shoot, keep some things |
| shutter. If you want to use a digital camera, get one | | | | simple, such as the camera and light settings. You will |
| that is an SLR ( single lens reflex ), such as the | | | | have enough on your hands dealing with the subject. |
| Canon Rebel digital, or Nikon D70. You also need a | | | | Backgrounds |
| fast memory chip, because some chips take a few | | | | A bad background can ruin a picture. Professional |
| seconds to save the image. In pet photography, a | | | | photographers go to great lengths to set up |
| few seconds is a long time. You can use an ordinary | | | | backgrounds for their photos, so they usually have a |
| SLR film camera, but the film costs can be high, | | | | number of backgrounds in their studio. In addition, |
| especially while you practice. I use the Canon XT | | | | they may also have a number of colored lights, or |
| digital, a small and very effective digital SLR camera. | | | | "gels", to color the background in a way that suits |
| Learn to use your camera. An expensive camera | | | | the subject. If you don't have a background, you can |
| does you no good if you haven't learned how to use | | | | effectively use a common sheet if you mount it in |
| its many features. Some lighting and exposure | | | | such a way that it shows no wrinkles. One simple |
| techniques are beyond the scope of this report, so | | | | way to do this is to pin a sheet to a wall in a home. |
| read your instruction manual and some books on | | | | You can even use a blank white wall if you wish. To |
| basic photography. | | | | make the subject stand out from the background |
| What to look for in a camera. You need something | | | | you need to have good contrast. For example, black |
| fast, and by fast I mean not just the shutter | | | | or dark blue is very nice for light colored or medium |
| response, but the autofocus should also be fast. | | | | colored pets. Black dogs and cats, however, are best |
| Autofocus responses on many cameras are not fast | | | | put in front of a lighter background. |
| enough to do some pets, so I frequently put the | | | | Backgrounds are easy and cheap. In the beginning I |
| setting on manual and keep within the focus range | | | | used old sheets, stretched tight with small clamps. |
| while I'm shooting. You should get a digital camera, | | | | Make a little stand about 8 feet high ( use a king size |
| too. In the long run, digital will save a load of money | | | | sheet ) It's good to have several. White is always |
| on film. It will also let you show customers the results | | | | popular and you need light colors for dark colored |
| right away, plus check your work. Get a good lens, | | | | pets. A grey or black one is also good. I also use blue |
| the best you can afford, and put a hood on it. If you | | | | quite often. When you get more money, get another |
| don't, you stand a good chance of getting light flares | | | | flash unit to light up the background. You put it way |
| in your pictures. If you can afford it, buy a new | | | | down low and aim it up. Keep it behind your posing |
| camera with a warranty. | | | | table so you can't see it. |
| Digital image quality. Digital image quality is based on | | | | Most pros use a background light as well. The |
| the number of tiny picture elements in the picture, | | | | background light is set off to the side, below, or |
| and that depends on the quality of the sensor in the | | | | above, and aimed at the background. By setting the |
| camera. The camera sensor is measured in | | | | background light carefully, you can put a spot of light |
| "megapixels" While a 12 megapixel camera will deliver | | | | just behind the subject. This helps enhance the |
| fine quality, publishable photos, 3 megapixles can | | | | contrast ratio and offsets the subject from the |
| produce a decent 8 by 10 if you don't have to crop | | | | background. If you use a neutral background, such as |
| it much. Ideally you should have a 5 megapixel or | | | | grey, you can put colored "gels", or transparent |
| better for enlargements. Many times you need to | | | | colored plastic, over the background light. This |
| crop part of the photo out and use a smaller portion, | | | | enables you to put just about any color on the |
| so the higher resolution is much better. Very few | | | | background. |
| customers order anything larger than an 8 by 10, and | | | | To avoid shadow on the background when using a |
| even in magazines most of the pictures are quite | | | | flash, either have a good background light to offset |
| small. It's always safe to shoot at the highest quality | | | | the main lights, or have the main lights up quite high. |
| in your camera. Just don't overdo it. The larger the | | | | That way the shadow is short and out of the |
| image, the less photos fit on the chip, and it takes | | | | picture. Also, keep the subject about 3 feet away |
| more time to process, etc. | | | | from the background. |
| Digital storage Get a camera with a robust storage | | | | Props and costumes |
| chip, and buy the largest chips you can afford. | | | | Interesting costumes can greatly enhance a portrait |
| They're very reasonable on eBay, and they last a | | | | and increase its value, since it will be a rare photo of |
| long time if you take care of them. Buy SEVERAL, | | | | the subject. Be creative. Every outfit is a costume |
| too. It's the old thing about having all your eggs in | | | | from another's point of view. Sometimes all you need |
| one basket. If you lose a chip with a whole shoot's | | | | is a hint of a costume, such as a scarf, hat, or |
| worth of photos, you're sunk. I have at least 5 chips | | | | something in the hand. If you plan to use props, have |
| available to me on a shoot. MAKE COPIES of your | | | | everything you need close at hand. |
| photos. If you lose a precious photo of Rover | | | | For stock photographers, funny pet photos are great |
| wearing a straw hat for 2 seconds, you'll likely never | | | | for cards, and nothing looks sillier than a dog wearing |
| get another one. Store photos on CD's or DVD's for | | | | clothes and a hat. Now, there aren't a lot of pets |
| safe keeping because sooner or later, all hard drives | | | | that like to wear silly clothes, so don't expect they'll |
| crash. | | | | like wearing the funny outfit you have in mind for |
| Where to get a camera If you can't afford a new | | | | them. You will likely need an assistant. I once |
| camera, you can easily buy stuff one on eBay, but | | | | photographed a dog in a Bah Mitzvah outfit. Go |
| you should thoroughly research the various cameras | | | | figure....! |
| before you buy. Find out what the new price is and | | | | How to get the pets ready for a photo shoot |
| bid accordingly. Remember to check shipping fees. | | | | Pets can be very temperamental, shy, nervous, or |
| You can get the older digital Canon Rebel, with a | | | | even angry when you try to photograph them. Bright |
| lens, for a good price new. You might even find a | | | | flashes can terrify a pet and their instinct is to run to |
| superb deal, such as someone who used it very little | | | | their owner, or simply away, as fast as they can. |
| and also has extra lens, memory chips, case, stuff | | | | Since they can't talk to you, you must pay close |
| like that. Watch the seller's feedback though. | | | | attention to their mannerisms and sounds. |
| Remember that although last years top seller might | | | | The main thing is to get them to relax. To calm |
| be this year's closeout, it's still a good camera. | | | | them, touch them gently and make soothing sounds. |
| You can also find deals at yard sales and thrift shops, | | | | Make your sounds upbeat and kind. Contrary as it |
| but be careful. If you don't what to buy, don't buy it. | | | | may seem, it's not always helpful to have the owner |
| You don't need a top model camera. In fact, it's | | | | within sight. Pets usually try to get the owner to |
| better to one that is light weigh, and since pet | | | | "save" them from their predicament, and that makes |
| photography is very active work, cameras can be | | | | things very difficult for the photographer. |
| bumped or even dropped. It's more important to | | | | It's a good idea to have the dogs take a little |
| have a great lens than an expensive camera. And | | | | bathroom break before the shoot. |
| one other thing, if you plan to do it professionally, | | | | Dogs |
| get a backup body and lens, plus a backup battery. | | | | Dogs are fun to photograph. |
| Lights | | | | I often get asked, "How do you make the dog stay |
| Photography is all about lighting; good lighting makes | | | | in one place?" Actually, they usually DON'T stay still. |
| good photos. So, if you want to photograph a pet | | | | The fast shutter speed just makes it APPEAR that |
| indoors, you will at the very least need a flash that | | | | they were sitting still! It can take a lot of shots to |
| "bounces" off the ceiling. This avoids the "cat's eye" | | | | get a few good ones, sometimes. To photograph |
| situation, where the animal's eyes glow like monster | | | | dogs properly, you need to understand dog behavior. |
| eyes. This happens because the light from a standard | | | | Dogs don't really understand human language. If you |
| on-camera flash bounces directly off the retina of | | | | want to communicate with a dog, it's much more |
| the pet's eyes, back to the lens. Professional | | | | effective to do it on it's own terms. Sounds ( other |
| photographers use lights that shine on the subject | | | | than words ), and especially TOUCH, works well. |
| from an angle, usually above and off to the side of | | | | Body language, both yours and the dogs, is also very |
| the subject. That way the "bounce" goes down, not | | | | important. |
| directly into the lens and final image. | | | | Dogs tend to be curious about the camera and |
| If you don't have the means to get a professional | | | | photographer and they move around a lot. Have a |
| set of lights, at least use an on-camera flash unit | | | | friend distract the pooch, or use a toy. Try to work |
| such as a "speedlight" by Nikon. Aim the flash up to | | | | without the dog noticing you. If you have a long |
| the ceiling so the flash bounces back to the subject | | | | telephoto, at least 100mm, you can step back a |
| at an angle. Better yet, use a specially designed, | | | | ways and get good shots. This will also help keep the |
| coiled, flash cable and hold the flash unit away from | | | | background out of focus and keep the attention on |
| the camera, above, off to the side, or both so the | | | | the dog. Work quickly, and take lots of shots. It you |
| light bounces off the pet's eyes at an angle. | | | | try to bribe the dog with food, it may backfire. Once |
| The best setup is as follows; mount two flash units | | | | the dog knows you have treats it will keep "bugging" |
| on stands about 6 feet high, several feet off to each | | | | you. I usually just get all the shots, and then give a |
| side of the camera. Set up at least one light aimed at | | | | treat. |
| the background. The background light should be low | | | | Formal posing |
| and out of view, or it can be put up high if you have | | | | When I do a formal portrait session with a dog, I |
| a studio. Then, trigger those auxiliary flash units in | | | | always try to have an assistant. Few dogs will sit still, |
| one of several ways. Use either a cable from camera | | | | and even if they do, they'll rarely have the ideal |
| to flash, a wireless trigger, or use the on camera | | | | expression. I get totally involved and focus on the |
| flash unit to "trigger" the other flashes by a light | | | | dog's expression. The camera shutter makes it |
| sensitive switch, also known as a "slave" flash sensor. | | | | APPEAR that the dog was sitting still. Props can add |
| Most modern flash units have one built in. | | | | a lot of interest and fun to the photo. Use a whistle |
| Photographers often use what's called a "slave" flash. | | | | and make sounds to get the dog's ears to perk up. |
| It's a light that can screw into a normal bulb socket | | | | Get in close to your subject ! It makes a big |
| that has a sensor in it for other flashes. When the | | | | difference..... |
| camera flash goes off, it fires the slave flash. You | | | | One more thing: |
| should have 2, one on each side of your camera, a | | | | Dogs don't really understand people language very |
| few feet to the side and about 6 feet high. If you | | | | well. They do understand Body Language quite well, |
| can't buy 2, get one and put it behind the camera, | | | | so you have to keep putting them into the position |
| about 6 or 7 feet high. Slave flashes are not terribly | | | | you want them. Be persistent, and eventually the |
| expensive and they last a long time. When they fire | | | | dog will get the message: SIT STILL! |
| they will tend to make a shadow behind the subject. | | | | Cats |
| That's why you put them up high, so the shadow is | | | | Many cats don't cooperate with photographers. I've |
| short and below the viewing angle. It also helps to | | | | even met some that were hostile. Other cats are |
| have a darker background. | | | | very affectionate and will not sit still. A long lens is |
| Photographic strobe lights are measured in "watt | | | | very helpful. I usually let them relax in their own |
| seconds". The higher the number, the brighter the | | | | environment and shoot from a distance. When doing |
| light. You also need to consider the time it takes for | | | | a formal portrait, it helps to have the owner nearby |
| the light to charge back up for another shot. That's | | | | because cats get nervous. Work quickly, too, or the |
| called the "recycle" time. If you want to shoot fast, | | | | cat will run away. |
| you need to have a fast recycle time. Most lights | | | | Horses |
| recycle within a few seconds, so that's not much of | | | | Rule number 1, be careful! Horses can move very |
| an issue. The Watt-second rating is important, | | | | fast and without warning. They are NOT thinking of |
| however. The brightest flash units usually have | | | | your safety, either. |
| several settings so you can tone them down. If you | | | | Horses are often jittery and suspicious by nature, so |
| shoot at 100 film speed ( best ) you need some | | | | you have to respect that and work accordingly. |
| bright lights. I recommend at least 200 watt seconds | | | | Move slowly and predictably, and stay in eye contact, |
| on each of the 2 main lights, preferably more. Since | | | | if possible. If you wish to get close, touch the horse, |
| the background lights sometimes have colored "gels" | | | | perhaps on the neck near its shoulder. Be gentle and |
| on them that dims the output, those should be | | | | make comforting sounds. Offer some food. They |
| strong, too, at least 300 watt seconds if you plan to | | | | love that, but watch your fingers! Keep them |
| shoot through gels onto a dark background. For a | | | | TOGETHER! |
| white background with no gels, you can get by with | | | | Using a long lens is very effective. Most photos are |
| a 100 watt second slave flash. | | | | done outdoors, so light is not usually a problem. |
| Where to get good lights These days it's almost a | | | | Between around 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. the sun is harsh, |
| sure bet that you'll get the best deal online, but you | | | | so use the morning or afternoon. You do not usually |
| should do your research. You can try eBay, but lights | | | | need a shutter speed faster than about 1/250. You |
| are bulky and sometimes heavy and can cost a lot to | | | | can get interesting effects by using a tripod and |
| ship. Buy new if you can afford it. If you can't, get at | | | | speeds from 1/8 to 1/30. Just remember that the |
| least one matching pair of lights and stands for | | | | longer the lens or zoom, the faster the shutter |
| placing in front of the subject. Then, buy a small | | | | speed needs to be to keep it from blurring. |
| "slave" flash for the background light. | | | | Birds |
| When you get the money, buy a second matched | | | | Larger pet birds usually sit relatively still on their birch, |
| set with short stands for the background lighting. | | | | but I've had one or two fly around my studio, |
| Finally, if you have a studio, buy a "softbox" for | | | | especially parakeets. Take a lot of shots so you have |
| above the subject. | | | | a good selection of expressions. Cockatoos look |
| It's common and highly recommended that your main | | | | especially nice with their top feathers extended. |
| lights have "umbrellas" on them. There are two kinds. | | | | Some birds like toys, and photos of them playing are |
| One is a "shoot through" transparent white umbrella | | | | fun. |
| that softens the light and distributes it more evenly. | | | | Other pets |
| The other is a reflector, with black outside and shiny | | | | Some people have the oddest pets, such as pigs, |
| silver inside. You "bounce" the strobe light into it, and | | | | porcupines, and snakes. For mammals, most of these |
| it can make a very bright flash. | | | | suggestions apply. Reptiles don't have much of a |
| Technique | | | | personality, so a close up is often very effective. It |
| Ultimately, only what's actually IN the photo matters, | | | | gives a sense on intimacy with a creature that, to tell |
| so with careful framing you can create the image | | | | the truth, just isn't that way. ( for example, snakes |
| you want. Although you can crop a photo later, it's | | | | and lizards ) |
| best to "crop" while shooting. This means taking an | | | | Summary |
| extra few seconds to check the image before firing | | | | We offer a CD with the full text of this report, plus |
| the shutter. Leave out everything that's not | | | | much more, including sample portraits, diagrams of |
| necessary, and use geometry to good effect. Move | | | | set-ups, and many more detailed instructions |
| with the pet, if necessary, and take lots of shots. | | | | regarding the use of equipment, dealing with |
| When using a digital camera, there's no excuse for | | | | customers, pricing, costs, and paperwork. This CD is |
| not taking those extra shots. Sometimes a shot you | | | | a great tool for professional photographers, even if |
| "grab" will be a real winner. You can always edit the | | | | you only do a few pets a year. |