Pet photography
Dec 27, 2016 09:55:16 #
Hello all,
I have recently retired and am giving some serious thought to pet photography. Is there anyone who has any tips they'd like to share? I'd appreciate any info and/or help you can provide. I'm working with Canon 7D and Panasonic GX8. Thank you in advance.
I have recently retired and am giving some serious thought to pet photography. Is there anyone who has any tips they'd like to share? I'd appreciate any info and/or help you can provide. I'm working with Canon 7D and Panasonic GX8. Thank you in advance.
Dec 27, 2016 10:05:55 #
Dec 27, 2016 10:15:45 #
Dec 27, 2016 10:22:46 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Are you trying to start up a "Hobby", or a "Business"?
Right now, I'm trying to develop a portfolio, so I've volunteered at our local MSPCA Shelter to photograph their adoptees. This gains me experience, and helps the MSPCA to feature their charges best sides!
I know that there are many here on UHH that will tell you not to give away your services for free, but for me it's the right thing to do at this point. It's my way of giving back! I don't provide free services to anyone else, it's strictly limited to this one group.
How many times would you be able to get up close and personal with goats in a pasture, or Muscovy Ducks in a wading pool? It gives me access to pets and barn yard animals that I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to on a regular basis without either obstructions between me and the subject, or from too great a distance for my lens to capture a really sharp shot of! And, they get someone to help them document abuse cases from time to time.
And, I discovered a Great Blue Heron Rookery just a couple hundred yards from the end of their parking lot, down a rail trail which has been converted into a biking and walking trail!
I know that there will be questions about what lenses you have for your cameras, and for studio work, you will want a good "Portrait" lens. I'll let others who are more knowledgeable in lens choices respond about what works best for them!
Also, with studio work, you will need supplemental lighting and stands to set them on, as well as backdrops of one form or another, and reflectors.
So there is a lot to think about, shooting in a studio, or shooting outside.
Even shooting outside, you'll often need speed lights and reflectors, and maybe at least one assistant with you beyond the owner!
Right now, I'm trying to develop a portfolio, so I've volunteered at our local MSPCA Shelter to photograph their adoptees. This gains me experience, and helps the MSPCA to feature their charges best sides!
I know that there are many here on UHH that will tell you not to give away your services for free, but for me it's the right thing to do at this point. It's my way of giving back! I don't provide free services to anyone else, it's strictly limited to this one group.
How many times would you be able to get up close and personal with goats in a pasture, or Muscovy Ducks in a wading pool? It gives me access to pets and barn yard animals that I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to on a regular basis without either obstructions between me and the subject, or from too great a distance for my lens to capture a really sharp shot of! And, they get someone to help them document abuse cases from time to time.
And, I discovered a Great Blue Heron Rookery just a couple hundred yards from the end of their parking lot, down a rail trail which has been converted into a biking and walking trail!
I know that there will be questions about what lenses you have for your cameras, and for studio work, you will want a good "Portrait" lens. I'll let others who are more knowledgeable in lens choices respond about what works best for them!
Also, with studio work, you will need supplemental lighting and stands to set them on, as well as backdrops of one form or another, and reflectors.
So there is a lot to think about, shooting in a studio, or shooting outside.
Even shooting outside, you'll often need speed lights and reflectors, and maybe at least one assistant with you beyond the owner!
Dec 27, 2016 10:27:44 #
Szalajj wrote:
.../... Right now, I'm trying to develop a portfolio, so I've volunteered at our local MSPCA Shelter to photograph their adoptees. This gains me experience, and helps the MSPCA to feature their charges best sides!.../...
And you see the best sides, adopt the nice pretty doggy and discover you have Cujo in the house...
BETTER RUN!!!
Dec 27, 2016 15:03:05 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Rongnongno wrote:
And you see the best sides, adopt the nice pretty doggy and discover you have Cujo in the house...
BETTER RUN!!!
BETTER RUN!!!
Actually, I consider myself a "Cat" person, but I've been shooting their barn animals! Horses, goats, pigs, roosters and ducks for the most part!
Dec 27, 2016 18:44:12 #
Rongnongno wrote:
And you see the best sides, adopt the nice pretty doggy and discover you have Cujo in the house...
BETTER RUN!!!
BETTER RUN!!!
I have had two St Bernard's and they thought they were lap dogs. One of them "Lord Admiral Nelson"(what a name for a purebred) thought open car windows meant "Lets go for a ride." If you didn't get to the car quick enough to suit him he would honk the horn till you took him out of the car or took him for a ride.
Dec 27, 2016 19:49:07 #
Yes, lots of patience and a calm demeanor to handle both pets and owners. Squeaky toys are great as well as treats. Practice the sounds you can make as well and be ready to get down to their level which means wear old clothes. Those are a few thoughts off the top of my head and I have only done one session with pets.
I just watched a very good pet photography video series on Creative Live by Norah Levine. She demonstrates many techniques for capturing great in home pet and owner images. Also, how to set up the business. https://www.creativelive.com/courses/family-pet-photography-norah-levine?via=site-header_0 If you are serious about doing pet photography it is well worth the $69.00.
I just watched a very good pet photography video series on Creative Live by Norah Levine. She demonstrates many techniques for capturing great in home pet and owner images. Also, how to set up the business. https://www.creativelive.com/courses/family-pet-photography-norah-levine?via=site-header_0 If you are serious about doing pet photography it is well worth the $69.00.
Dec 28, 2016 06:43:58 #
I've helped with pet photography for our local Illinois Humane as well as pet pics with Santa for my best friend who owns a dog training business. Glamour Shots for Pets was a great fundraiser- both days sold out quickly.We had lots of props- feather boas, hats, neckties, clothes, even a pup bikini & wedding dress. It really helps to have assistants to help pose & hold the less obedient pets, & you'll have to photoshop out some leashes. I also downloaded an animal noise app & it helped to get their attention. I shoot more animals than humans, & my daughters get irritated when I make a tongue-click or purr sound to get their attention out of habit...
Dec 28, 2016 06:43:59 #
I've helped with pet photography for our local Illinois Humane as well as pet pics with Santa for my best friend who owns a dog training business. Glamour Shots for Pets was a great fundraiser- both days sold out quickly.We had lots of props- feather boas, hats, neckties, clothes, even a pup bikini & wedding dress. It really helps to have assistants to help pose & hold the less obedient pets, & you'll have to photoshop out some leashes. I also downloaded an animal noise app & it helped to get their attention. I shoot more animals than humans, & my daughters get irritated when I make a tongue-click or purr sound to get their attention out of habit...
Dec 28, 2016 08:19:20 #
Thank you so much for all your replies. I'm intending to shoot outdoors only - I like in beautiful San Diego with many beautiful backdrops. I've had dogs and cats all my life, so patience is my middle name, and my demeanor is calm. I did some reading and found a book, Beautiful Beasties by Pilughocit. Have any of you hogs read it? She talks about everything from equipment to setting, to treats, etc.
I think volunteering at a shelter is a wonderful idea.Salajj. Thank you! Getting and giving is the perfect combination! I live 10 minutes from the Humane Society so I might take a ride to see if they can use my (free) services!
I think volunteering at a shelter is a wonderful idea.Salajj. Thank you! Getting and giving is the perfect combination! I live 10 minutes from the Humane Society so I might take a ride to see if they can use my (free) services!
Dec 28, 2016 08:56:47 #
Dec 28, 2016 09:05:18 #
Dec 28, 2016 09:20:00 #
The book PhoDography by Kim Levin is pretty good too. I do a lot of dog work - my secret weapon is a Sigma 50-500 lens.. this way you can let the dog run around and be natural without having to get right up on him with a camera & lens. I bring the dogs to a park where they can run free and just stalk them from a distance. Your 7D is a great camera for this!
Notice the Mini Aussies in the Sit Stay below on the hay bales look a little bit worried... That is why I like to stalk from a distance to get a more natural look on their face. The Walker Hound puppy picture was taken from a distance - she had no idea I was there - she has a more natural look on her face.
Finding a pretty spot that Dogs like is the key - like a cute stream, or pretty park etc.. ALSO practice your squats!!!!! There is A LOT of squatting and getting down on the ground, so wear clothes you can really move in.
Good Luck -- Practice Practice Practice !!!
Notice the Mini Aussies in the Sit Stay below on the hay bales look a little bit worried... That is why I like to stalk from a distance to get a more natural look on their face. The Walker Hound puppy picture was taken from a distance - she had no idea I was there - she has a more natural look on her face.
Finding a pretty spot that Dogs like is the key - like a cute stream, or pretty park etc.. ALSO practice your squats!!!!! There is A LOT of squatting and getting down on the ground, so wear clothes you can really move in.
Good Luck -- Practice Practice Practice !!!
Dec 28, 2016 09:58:15 #
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