A pet photographer is a professional who takes pictures of people’s pets, usually dogs and cats. A successful Pet Photographer is able to capture their subjects in the most natural and attractive way possible, with the pet’s personality and character shining through. In addition to having a good understanding of photography techniques, such as exposure and composition, a pet photographer needs patience and a strong working relationship with animals in order to get the best results from each session.
A good starting point for aspiring pet photographers is to build a portfolio with their own pets, or with the pets of family and friends. They can also look at the work of other photographers on sites such as Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. If the pet photographer enjoys working with animals and is able to get great shots, they can start charging for their services.
The pet photographer can choose to operate in a studio or outdoors, depending on their location and the type of pets they photograph. They can also decide whether to specialise in portraits or action shots, or both. In addition to a camera, a pet photographer should have various backdrops and props, such as toys or treats. They may also use a number of different lenses, depending on the style of their shoots.
During the photo session, a pet photographer will often take time to familiarise themselves with the animal and encourage it to be comfortable. They will try to reduce stress by using techniques such as bringing familiar objects, offering food or toys, or making calming sounds. These methods will help the pet to feel relaxed and happy, which will lead to more natural and expressive photos. The pet photographer will also need to be familiar with post-processing software, such as Photoshop, in order to edit their images. For example, they might use software to remove leashes or eye boogers from the picture.
In some cases, pet photographers may work for animal shelters or rescue centres, photographing the animals that have been placed up for adoption. They can then help to find the best home for each pet by showing potential new owners the images.