Tips for Taking a Fantastic Photo of Your Pet

Our pets mean everything to us and they are always being interesting. Have you ever thought, "I wish I had my camera!" for one of those great moments? Of course you have, so the greatest tip of all is simple. Always keep it on you and you'll never miss a shot! Follow them everywhere, stalk them, watch them sleep. Do whatever it takes.Try these fun and creative tips!

Our animals are always getting into trouble. Take advantage of that! Then you can scold them for being bad...

Cats are notorious for finding the cutest spots. It's just a matter of finding them, but they never cease to amaze in how clever they can really be.

Sleeping, relaxing? It all makes for great moments you can cherish forever.

Chances are your pet responds well to your voice. Talk to them!

Find something for them to interact with - a few cut out shapes can add a little symbolic warmth to a picture.
Also, if you have a DSLR, a little bokeh is always nice. Try it with a quick DIY filter! Just remember, the shapes show up with a large aperture and with a single point light source - like string lights.

Props are awesome and easy to find, put them in a place you wouldn't usually find them...try a bucket or a plant!

Digital is super easy and very convenient, but film can be beautiful too.

A good ol' fashioned "black and white" disposable camera from Walgreens and CVS come fairly cheap, sometimes the results can be surprising and it may result in a blue tone. Also they often don't charge you for the picture you aren't happy with when you're picking it up for processing - even if it's just because it's a bad shot, it's no questions asked. Just remember to look through the photos at the store! 

If you are really daring try slide film. This is a very expensive option so shoot wisely! Processing it can be difficult as its hard to find a place to process it.

Film can be a bit pricey, so if you're going digital try throwing the white balance off on your camera to get a unique tone. Or you can make it black and white and hand color it with prismacolor markers!

Not everyone is into it and and some people are just way too into it, but clothes or a little pet costume can be fun. Chances are the animal won't be enthused but that just might result in a great photo.

A great photographer once said, "If your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”.

So try it! Photos don't always have to be of their cute little faces - catch their fur, a unique part of them like an extra toe if you have a polydactyl kitty, zoom in on their nose. There is so much more than your typical shot.

Don't be shy, those guys are your family - so take a family photo! It doesn't have to be traditional, it can just be an interaction.

Get them to interact with each other! It's always great to have everyone in there.

Don't limit yourself to just one photo, go crazy! Okay, well maybe not too crazy because the picture can end up being just too much and feel cluttered. You want to be able to focus in on the awesomeness of each individual image.

It seems obvious - but keep your camera with you as much as possible.
It may be tough, but try to get them in focus.
It doesn't have to look like it was done professional studio, it just has to portray your pet's personality.
Be creative and have fun!