Secrets of candid pet portraits from a professional pet sitter, photographer

It’s not always all about a treat.

There, I’ve said it. I see many studio photographers using multiple treats to bribe pets to strike a pose during a photo session. This is not my first option. Rather, I talk to them in a soothing voice using full sentences and their name. In this way, smiles and peaceful poses are common for me to capture.

Miss Pinky

This image was taken during my second pet-sitting visit with her. Animals respond to my soothing voice as I talk to them in full sentences, using their name; I reward them with a treat after the entire photo session is complete.

Cricket Man Kitty

In full disclosure, this is my kitty. He IS a wiggle worm. In this case, he’s looking just to the side which is where my free hand was in the air demanding his attention for a split second. Catching the specular highlights in both eyes is one of my goals as it makes the expression pop as if the image is in 3D.

Next, I look for them to choose to be in complementary lighting — it’s all up to them. Then, I prep my iPhone 13 Pro Max (your cell phone will have similar abilities) by taking a test image in the same lighting and making any adjustments I need to capture all the tones from bright highlights to dark shadows.

Just before I start taking memorable candids, I lock my focus on the eyes of the fur person star; This is accomplished by composing an image, then pressing and holding their closest eye to the camera on the cell phone’s screen until a lock focus box appears. Now, I’m ready. I hold my camera in one hand either vertically or horizontally and use my free and to direct their attention where I need it to go so I can see specular highlights in both eyes. Why? These specs of light makes their expression pop as if the image is in 3D.

With practice, my cell phone camera prep has gotten down to under 5 seconds and this speed is what it takes to capture the best moments.

Mr. Vanilla Bean

One of his favorite places to hang out is on an ottoman facing me as I sit in the matching chair and an outside window that is shaded by an exterior porch roof — perfect studio lighting! I make sure to turn off any interior lamps as the bulbs are often emitting yellow light and that would wreak havoc with the natural coloring in his eyes and coat.

Mr. Levi

He and I play multiple games of tennis ball fetch in his back yard when I visit and between throws, he loves to give me his full attention. I take advantage of these moments to capture his portrait when the outdoor lighting is just right to show off the specular highlights in both of his eyes and the sheen of his handsome coat. Notice his ears are at the ready to listen to anything I have to tell him: “Good boy!”

More tips:
* when possible, use soft cloudy light coming from a window to light their face;
* when possible, look for a non-cluttered, neutral toned background to frame their face;
* watch for the position of ears as these are a key part of the animal’s facial expression;
* be daring in the way you crop the composition in camera;
* most of all, make each session fun for the fur person and you!

When I’m done with each composition session, then it’s treat time! And, during each visit, there’s more than one!

Enjoy the examples I’ve included in the collection, below — click any image to see it with more detail.

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