I am going to tell you a secret. One of the reasons our images look different from so many pet pictures we see is that we lie on the ground … a lot. (DogTV was filmed this way, too!) Yes, part of the glamorous life of a pet photographer is lying on the ground, standing on a step stool and sometimes using a yoga ball to get us that perfect “dog’s eye view.” If you want truly compelling pet pictures you will have to change your point of view. Lying on the ground will also encourage most dogs to get closer and feel more relaxed (you may even get some kisses.) A camera on the same level feels more comfortable to most dogs and cats than the camera that comes down from above. You can even play with shooting from below. A big doggie face with the blue sky above -what could be cuter! Or go really high with a wide angle from directly above. Don’t forget to use the wide and zoom functions on your camera. Close up wide angles or very tight cropped faces can be very dramatic. Don’t always ask your pet to look at you – full profiles, three quarter profiles and even your dog looking wistfully out a window make great images too. Experiment with lots of different angles, heights and points-of-view. You will be rewarded with creative, unique images to be proud of.

Key Points:

• Change your point of view
• Use wide and zoom
• Try new angles
• Photograph profiles & ¾ profiles
• Get close-ups
• Shoot from above
• Have fun with it

For more tips and photo examples, please visit my online gallery.