Let’s face it, there are many, many perks to becoming a Pet Sitter. You get to meet all kinds of different furry friends, play with them, cuddle with them, and take them on your daily adventures. On top of it all, you get paid!
Every Sitter has their own ways of getting to know their temporary roommate, but by and large, there’s one thing we all do – take lots and lots of photos. Whether it’s to capture a funny moment to send to their pawrents (or to the team at Mad Paws HQ!), a goodbye photo as your own little keepsake, or simply because they’re just so darn cute, it’s easy for a Pet Sitter’s camera roll to fill with cute pics.
However, when your photographic muse is an energetic little fluffball, it can be pretty challenging to capture that perfect moment. So, no matter what animal you’re looking after, here’s how to make sure you take the best photo every time.
If you think your puppy pics are top notch, use the hashtags #madpaws #madpawsau #madpawspack #chiefcuddleofficer and tag us @madpawsau for a chance to be featured on our Instagram!
Seven tips to take great photos of pets you’re sitting
There are a lot of factors that go into taking an amazing photo, but to keep things simple, we’ll stick to the main ones. And don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy, expensive camera! You’ll be amazed at what your phone’s camera is capable of with a few clever tricks.
#1: Get the setting and background right
There’s nothing worse than a beautiful shot of an adorable pup or cute kitty that’s spoiled by the background. You want your furry friend to be the hero of the snap, so relocate to a spot with a clean, neutral background. A wall always makes for a good background, but if that can’t be managed, try to keep any laundry, mess, or other distractions out of view. When in doubt, head into the backyard (or onto the balcony) and aim for a backdrop of some plants. A bit of greenery can work some serious magic!
#2: Aim for as much natural light as possible
Even good cameras can struggle in low light, and shadows often result in poor quality shots. The general rule of thumb is that more light (ideally diffused, natural light) equals a better photo, so open those blinds and let there be light! If, for whatever reason you can’t get as much light as you’d like, simply switching your phone’s camera to “Night Mode” (if possible) can make a huge difference.
#3: Get down to their level
Ask any photographer (or model, for that matter!) and they’ll tell you just how important angles are. Most photos of our furry friends are taken from above, so if you want your snap to stand out, switch things up a little! Get onto the same level as them and aim to shoot from their eye level. You can even go lower if you want a completely different perspective. That said, you might want to keep some tissues on hand to wipe the lens in case any snoots get a little too close.
#4: Bribe them with treats
Some four-legged models are happy to pose for the fun of it, but others are going to need a little more convincing. In this case, bribery is highly encouraged! Grab their preferred treats, get them into position, and take advantage of their love for food by snapping while you’ve got their attention. You can even buy attachments for your phone that can hold their favourite treat or toy above the camera for the perfect snap every time. You may even be able to catch the ultimate action shot!
#5: Make their eyes the key focus
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and that applies to our canine and feline friends, too! They don’t necessarily need to be staring directly into the camera to get a great photo (puppy-dog eyes anyone?) Still, since the eyes are often their most expressive facial feature, it’s a good idea to make them the focus. A lot of phone cameras will automatically focus on the face, but you can also do this manually by tapping on the eyes while framing your shot.
#6: Be patient
When it comes to photographing animals, be they family pets or wild creatures, patience is key. They can’t take direction like human subjects, so keep in mind that getting that perfect photo might take some time. Whatever you do, it’s important not to get stressed or frustrated. Pets (particularly dogs) can understand humans more than you might think, meaning they may be able to pick up on your emotions. The calmer and happier you are during your photo session, the calmer and happier they’ll be.
#7: Give them a reward
Even if you had to bribe them to get the photo in the first place, a doggo or kitty model deserves payment. Every pet has its own love language, and if you’ve been sitting them for a while, you’ll know whether they’re more food motivated, cuddle motivated or toy motivated. Nothing says “thank you” like their favourite treat, some playtime or a nice, big hug!
