16 pet photography ideas and tips for beginners

Updated 1 Oct 2024

Want to capture your pet living their best life? Naturally - but with hyperactive dogs, cats avoiding the lens and rodent buddies hiding away, pet photography can be a challenge. 

So to help you get the best snaps of your furry friends yet, explore our 16 pet photography ideas and tips below, with help from real-life pet owners and sitters based on their personal experiences with pet photography.

16 pet photography ideas

1. Use a treat to hold your pet’s attention
2. Snap while they’re asleep
3. Get down to your pet’s eye level
4. Turn off the flash
5. Consider the background 
6. Get outside
7. Activate 'live' mode or use a fast shutter speed camera
8. Consider lighting carefully
9. Keep your pet’s face in focus
10. Use the TV as a focus point
11. Don’t zoom, crop instead
12. Wear your pet out first 
13. Use props
14. Consider your pet’s personality
15. Hide or remove any attire
16. Encourage your sitter to snap your pets

Use a treat to hold your pet’s attention

One of the best pet photography ideas we can give you is to hold a treat or your pet’s favorite toy behind the camera.

Pulling off a successful cat or dog photoshoot can be difficult when they’re constantly facing in another direction, so holding something cats or dogs love near the camera will help you to get their best angles.

Snap while they’re asleep

To capture the perfect pet photos, one great tip is to take your photos while your pet is asleep. Snuggled up in blankets, looking cozy and content, sleeping photography of dogs, cats, guinea pigs and more can make for the ideal pet photography shots.

Taking pictures of your pets while they’re asleep is also a great idea if your furry friend is anxious around the camera, or too hyperactive for a photo shoot.

Get down to your pet’s level

Getting onto your pet’s level is a great pet photography tip for your photo sessions, indoors or outdoors. Crouching, kneeling or even lying down will allow you to get a more detailed shot of your pet and their adorable features.

Turn off the flash

Unlike us, pets aren’t prepared for a flash, and it doesn’t take a pet photographer to know that our furry friends dislike the bright light flashing in their eyes. So to avoid startling your pet, follow our pet photography idea of using natural light or low, warm indoor lighting if your pet photo shoot is in the evening.

The Digital Photography School also recommends natural light over artificial, especially for amateur photographers. This is because unless you can operate the flash properly, it’s likely your pets will be photographed with red eyes.

Consider the background 

If you’re looking for pet photography ideas to help you get creative next time you open up your camera app, one of the most important things to do is to consider the background.

Whether it’s dog portrait photography or a landscape photo of your guinea pig outdoors, be sure to reduce background clutter like mobile phones, charging cables and rubbish bins. And of course, make sure there is nothing sticking out of your pet’s head in the background (like a tree branch or lampshade stand).

Terri J Photography recommends a simple background, so that your pet is the star of the show - so consider removing any additional furniture from the shot.

Get outside

Pet photography tip 101: use nature to your advantage, and opt for an outdoor backdrop next time you do a pet photo shoot.

If it’s dog photo ideas you’re after, consider action shots in your local dog park - holding onto a high-value dog toy so that your pooch can eagerly run towards it - and the camera.

Cats also love basking in the sun on a warm day and seamlessly fence hopping, so take the opportunity to take a picture of your cat in her element, outside of the house.

Activate 'live' mode or use a fast shutter speed camera

Of all the pet photography ideas here, this might be one of the most practical. Whether you’re taking a dog headshot or a feline action shot, a simple pet photography technique is to use a fast shutter speed camera. 

Expert Photography recommends using a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s if you’re capturing action shots. This will allow you to take one photo after another, capturing your pet in focus, even if they’re moving at speed.

There are also settings on your phone that allow you to take multiple photos while holding a button down - look for ‘live’ mode on your phone or something similar.

Consider lighting carefully

Make sure the light is facing your pet, not you, and ensure your pet is fully in the light, with no shade blocking the view anywhere.

One way to ensure you get a well-lit shot of your pet is to take your photos outdoors, or from the side if your cat insists on sitting at a window.

Keep your pet’s face in focus

This is a pet photography tip 101: ensure your pet’s face is totally in focus. Whether it’s a pet dog, cat or rat, your furry friend’s face is without doubt the area of interest in any pet photo.

Use TV as a focus point

A great rule of thumb with pet photography is to take their lead. Rather than positioning them in a photogenic spot and fussing with their angles, get snapping when they're relaxed. 

As lots of our furry friends find the TV simply mesmerizing, play a few pet videos and the result will be photos of your pet looking engaged and thoughtful.

Don't zoom, crop instead

This isn’t just a pet photography tip - it’s a general photography tip. Instead of zooming in on the shot you want, take a wider shot and crop it later. This will allow for a better quality photo, helping to avoid any pixelation.

Wear your pet out first 

Dog owners know just how challenging it can be to take a decent dog photo if their pooch is on the zoomies. That’s why as part of our list of pet photography tips, we advise a game of fetch, walkies or a scent game to take their energy down. This will allow for a more obedient, relaxed dog (or cat) during your pet photo sessions.

Use props

If you’re after creative pet photography ideas or you’re into pet portrait photography, one popular way to make your photos more interesting is to use props.

If it’s a festive time of year, use pumpkins, autumn leaves, or tinsel and a Santa hat to decorate your shot. 

Consider your pet’s personality

One of the best pet photography ideas you can use is to think about your pet’s personality when planning your photoshoot. Consider what your pet enjoys doing, and capture them at their happiest.

This could be during an afternoon sunbathe, fetch, or walkies around their favorite local spot. 

Hide or remove any attire 

You might be able to snap a beautiful image during your pet’s photo shoot, but it can be easily ruined by a huge harness or bulky dog lead. So, if it’s safe to do so, capture your pet in their natural form by tucking their lead behind them, and removing any attire you don’t find aesthetically pleasing.

Encourage your sitter to snap your pets

And last but not least, ask your trusty pet sitter to capture your pets living their best life while you’re on vacation. Not only is it capturing some of your pet’s best memories, it’s a chance for you to see what your furry friend is getting up to while you’re gone. 

And if you’re not connected with a pet sitter yet, did you know that vets agree pets are happier at home, rather than cooped up in a kennel or cattery? Yup - so if keeping your furry pals happy at home in the company of a verified, loving pet sitter sounds like the right choice for you, click below to find out more about how it works.

Pet photography tips from pet owners and sitters

If you’re after pet photography tips from real pet owners and sitters with experience taking photos of pets, explore below. And if you’re on the lookout for even more pet photography ideas based on real life experiences, visit our community forum.

• “Take a video and when playing it back, hit pause. Then, drag the video until you have a good shot and take a screenshot of the video. Do that as often as needed to get the right image. Works every time!” @TeraCan
• “Lay flat in the grass while the hunter is hunting” - @Angela_L
• “I usually call their name to get their attention and have a treat on hand” - @Chatsetchiens
• “Bring their attention to something above them. When they look up you can get some fun angles. Making sure you have the light behind you” @Catgoddess_99

Looking for pet photography inspiration?

Our sitters love to share photos from their house and pet sitting adventures. Take a look at the TrustedHousesitters Instagram to discover the furry faces shared by our members.

Useful resources

• 10 cone of shame alternatives for your proud pooch and free-spirited feline
• Poisonous plants for dogs to avoid - a complete guide
• 14 boredom busting toys to keep dogs busy