Strike A Pose! Tips on Taking Pet Portrait Reference Photos
“Puppy, look over here, no look at mommy, see the treat? Look up here!” We’ve all been there, waving a milk bone dog treat over the top of our phone camera just trying to get the perfect shot, and then our little furry friend sees a squirrel and pops right up and breaks the pose. All we have to show for our efforts are blurry fluff and closed eyes, not a single perfect shot in the camera roll. Well I’m here to help solve the dilemma of taking the perfect photograph for a pet portrait reference photo, in a few simple steps that I hope will turn your pet into a little supermodel.
Step 1. Lighting
Believe it or not, the timing of taking a photograph drastically impacts the color and mood of the image, therefore affecting the overall tone of the painting. A cool, bright fluorescent overhead light indoors leaves an image feeling devoid of character and warmth, whereas sunlight streaming through a window casts a golden cozy glow on your pet. Choosing a time in the evening as the sun is slowly setting is a wonderful moment for more moody, well lit, warm images, and if you’re more interested in a bright, light portrait, a photo shoot in the morning is perfect. Focus on posing your pet outdoors or near a window to get the correct lighting effect for a timeless painting!
Murphy my sweet Sheltie is the model, enjoy his cuteness.
This is a good example of a photo taken during “golden hour” as the sun is slowly setting. The warm rich tones and soft light are perfect for a portrait.
This is a great example of cool lighting, but still outdoors and not washing out the model. A well lit photo is possible with cool tones, especially in the winter.
Step 2. Angles
Most owners, including myself, will take a photo of their pet from above, peering over them and not accounting for our drastic height difference, that is if you don’t have a Great Dane or a horse. To achieve the correct angle for a beautiful shot, remember to lower yourself to the eye line of your pet, face to face. An artist is looking for a portrait-friendly angle of a level field, and so lowering your camera to the height of the animal will achieve that. Sorry for the grass stained knees and muddy pants in advance!
This is the perfect example of an angle that is not well suited for a painted portrait. It’s beautiful when it comes to the lighting and focus, but if I had gotten down in the snow it would have been so much better.
Once I got lower, his personality really started to shine and his coat and face really went on display in a whole new way. Another benefit is that the paws usually don’t get cropped if you take your photos at this angle, giving the artist options on how they want to move forward with the composition of the painting.
Step 3. Posing
This part of the process is always the hardest, working with an adorable subject that just doesn’t always want to hold still. My best advise is to have a leash, treats and a squeaker toy on hand before you start, and enlist the help of a family member or friend to hold the end of the leash or lead rope during the shoot. Start off with a few shots of the subject walking around, to warm up and make it fun. Then focus on having them stand and staying in place with a simple command to keep their attention and to keep them calm. I’ve noticed that when the owner says “look at me” over and over again it can get overwhelming and confusing for the pet. Having them sit next is always a great pose, and if you need your helper to get close and hold them steady by the collar that can really help a pet that is easily distracted and wants to wander. Direct eye contact and looking at the camera isn’t always the goal, some of my favorite portraits are ones where the animal is looking off in the distance. Patience is key here, it might take longer then you have in mind. And shower your sweet model with lots of treats and love afterwards! That way their fun-loving, goofy, true personality really shines through. Have fun!
Having someone help hold the leash can be a game changer! My husband Dean helped keep Murphy centered and focused on the leash, and I was able to only worry about getting the photo. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Don’t be afraid to try different poses, not being too worried about a single one turning out perfect. Variety is so helpful for the artist, giving them many different poses to work from. And it keeps the whole process lighthearted and fun, with lot’s of different locations and engaging poses for your pet!
And now you’re ready to tackle a photo shoot! I hope that these tips were helpful not only from an artist’s perspective, but as a dog owner just as obsessed with taking photos of my precious Murphy. My husband and I have camera rolls filled with endless pics of our pets, and it never gets old. Let me know if you’d like more tips and tricks like this in the future, I love sharing them with you all. Enjoy your puppy photo shoots!
