If you haven’t cooed over a cute dog or cat photo online, you’re probably an unfeeling soul with a heart of stone. But what most people don’t know is that a lot of work (and treats) have gone into all those cute animal pictures you’ve swooned over. If the dog picture you just double-tapped look like it was captured effortlessly, the photographer must have done a great job—and we’d like to help you do the same.
Whether you’d like to turn your pooch into a summer social media star or just want to capture its best angles under the sun, the tips below should help improve your pet photography skills. Read on and start snapping!
Take advantage of the sunshine
Summer is the perfect season to practice your outdoor photography skills. Take advantage of the sunshine and get your pet outdoors! Your pooch would love the chance to bask in the sun after several cloudy months. Plus, more natural light allows you to use faster shutter speeds, letting you take vibrant photos of your pup while he’s zooming around.
Focus on the eyes
Your pet’s eyes are the windows to its soul, so don’t be afraid to focus on them. If you’ve got a cat, try to take its close-up shots somewhere without harsh light to capture its dilated pupils.
Play with props
What’s cuter than a smiling pug? A smiling pug in sunglasses, that’s what. Props and simple costumes can add a fun, summery vibe to your pet photos, so if you’ve always wanted to dress up your pet in a Hawaiian-printed shirt, now’s the perfect time to do so!
Use treats and toys
A surefire way to capture your pet’s attention is by attracting it with its favorite toys and treats. If your dog doesn’t want to look at your camera’s lens, try holding a tennis ball or a favorite toy near your camera. Don’t forget to reward your good boy with a treat or two!
Let your pet be himself
Instead of forcing your pooch to preen and pose for you, try to take photos of your pet in his element. Enable ‘burst’ mode to capture your pet’s frolicking, and try to zoom in when your pet is catching a snooze. The goal is to document your pet’s cutest moments as they naturally occur.
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Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.