Your pet is as much a part of your family as anyone else, so why not include them in your family photos?
Pet photography can be an entertaining and rewarding hobby ¨C and it can also lead to some extra cash taking pictures of other people¡¯s pets as well.
Depending on what animal you are taking pictures of, there are a number of hints and tips that can lead to some memorable pet photography.
Man¡¯s Best Friend
Dogs are great fun and often very obliging when it comes to pet photography. They have the advantage of being quite responsive to training, which can reap benefits when you want to take some photos.
It¡¯s worth remembering that a photo taken when your dog is tired and lying on the couch will be very different to one taken when he is charging across a field after a ball. Take lots of photos indoors, outdoors, when he is active and when he is tired to get a wide range of shots where his character really shines through.
Playful Cats And Kittens
Cats are a lot less obliging as photography subjects. They can however be tempted with a little catnip and some strategically placed toys.
Pet photography can sometimes mean resorting to some tricks to get good pictures. Try getting someone else to hold a catnip scented ball on a piece of string just out of shot as you take a succession of photos. If the cat plays ball, so to speak, you could well get some memorable pictures.
Coping With Small Caged Animals
Rats, hamsters, gerbils and other small mammals can pose a problem when it comes to taking photos. Firstly, they need to be let out of the cage. It¡¯s advisable to set up a controlled area which will safely contain both the animal and you and your equipment.
Secondly, you might find you get a better photo by lying down and shooting at ground level. This obviously works better if you are not nervous about having a feisty pet rat clambering all over you.
Rats are actually easier to photograph than hamsters or gerbils as they tend to be more curious, and will often come right up to you to inspect your camera. Amusing pictures are not that hard to come by in this situation.
If you find you enjoy pet photography, start building a portfolio of your work to present to other people who may like a photograph taken of their own pet. It could just be the start of a lucrative second career for you.
