I have been asked a few times about tips for taking photos of shelter animals. The main things that I do are below...but I pick up new tips quite often, so the list is ever-growing.
- Always have treats
- Always have a squeaker
- Be ready to make every noise imaginable with your mouth. You will get a lot of laughs from the people around you.
- A toy of some kind helps with most dogs
- If you feel safe to do so try to get on their level...kneel, sit or even lay on your tummy.
- My favorite things to capture are the head-tilt (strange sounds work well) and cat's eyes/and markings.
There are quite a few resources out there that go into much more detail, so I have gathered a list of articles and sites that provide more ideas, different opinions and perspectives of the Shelter Photography space.
- How to Get Great Shelter Pet Photos - Petfinder
- One Picture Saves a Life
- HeARTs Speak - a community of creatives, rescues, advocates, etc working together to ensure that no shelter animal goes unseen.
- Shelter Pet Photography Tips - Stacey Gammon Pet Photography
Hit 'em With Your Best Shot series from the ASPCA -- Taking Great Photos of Shelter Animals
- Part One - Getting to Know You
- Part Two - Getting Technical
- Part Three - Photographing Felines
- Part Four - Getting Social
- Part Five - Capturing Canines on Camera
Great Pet Photographers to Learn From or Simply Glean Some Inspiration
P A R T I N G - S H O T
Sometimes you even get a smile!
