How to take a portrait with your pet

Picture this: You're sitting on the couch with your family, about to snap a group photo, when a slobbery tongue caresses your face. The camera flashes, but it's too late. Your dog is already off the couch and running around the room. 

Pet owners hoping to include their four-legged loved ones in photos face a range of unique challenges. Mainly, how do you get them to stay still for more than two seconds and actually look at the camera? 

To help you take the perfect shot with your pet, we spoke to Toronto-based animal photographer Jess Bell and Melissa Millett, an animal trainer for film and television based in Sparta, Ont. Here are their expert tips and tricks. 

Pick a strategic location

Once you're armed with your phone or camera, it's important to choose a location where your animal will be comfortable. Millett encourages dog owners to allow their pets to explore the space beforehand so they can become familiar with their surroundings — and fully investigate any potential distractions. "When they're finished, then you get their attention and ask them to focus," she said.

Bell noted that cats tend to be less tolerant of new or strange spaces, so keeping them inside the home for photos is a good idea. Her advice is similar for owners of exotic animals: work with them on their own terms. Start by ensuring they're in a location where it's safe to take photos, she said, and make sure reptiles are as warm and comfortable as possible throughout the process.

Once you've selected your space, both experts recommend incorporating an elevated surface like a chair, couch or footstool into the shot. "Your dog or cat is much more likely to hold [their] position on an elevated surface," Millett explained.

This will also help you close the gap between you and your pet, which Bell says is one of the most important factors in getting a great pic. "The more direct contact that there is between an animal and their owner, the stronger the photo is," she said. "So get down low if you've got a small animal, or get them up at about chest- or shoulder-height." 

Setting up a tripod can also make capturing photos of you with your pet much easier, Bell added. 

Prioritize the lighting 

The most critical technical component of a great photograph is lighting. "If you don't have good light, you can't have a good photo," said Bell. She stressed the importance of light that isn't too intense. It's a misconception that bright light will result in a high-quality image, she explained, adding that her preferred option is actually even ambient light.

If you're working indoors and can't find lighting that fits the description, Bell suggests bringing a light into the room. This could be as simple as a table lamp, but if you're looking to try out some gear, constant lights — studio-style lights that'll stay on throughout your shoot — are an easy-to-use option. 

"I don't recommend relying heavily on any flash that might be affixed to your camera to directly light your subjects," she said. "They'll look flat, and you will have to contend with weird red eyes."

Use treats and training 

Some simple training can help with getting your pet to hold a pose and look into the camera. Bell recommends that owners train dogs to understand simple commands such as "sit," "stay," and "sit pretty." The latter command, which asks dogs to sit with two paws up, is a favourite of hers and will produce a cheerful shot of your canine. 

Millett says cats can be trained in the same way as dogs, but that dogs typically find it easier to hold the "down" position while cats find it easier to hold a "sit" position. When it comes to teaching the "stay" command, she suggests using an elevated surface. "'Don't move' is more difficult for your pets to conceptualize and understand than 'Don't get off this thing.'" 

For animals having a little trouble learning commands, food helps. But Millett said the key is to only reward pets for holding the correct position. For instance, the proper way to reward a "stay" is to leave your dog in position, return, offer the treat and then release them, rather than releasing them from a distance and calling them over for a treat. "In that case, you're actually rewarding the dog for coming to you," Millett said.  

Bell also uses food to keep animals entertained. She recommends having a variety of treats on hand, ranging from standard kibble to "high-value treats" like bite-sized plain doughnuts, to keep them guessing and engaged. Tossing food in the direction of the camera right before you snap the pic can also help direct their gaze, she said. 

Use sounds to grab their attention

Along with treats, both experts use a variety of enticing sounds to get the perfect portrait. Bell says she likes to use noise-makers, such as kazoos, as well as recordings of dogs, cats and horses. 

"Having those sorts of interesting sounds that the animal may not have heard before can work absolute wonders for capturing attention and getting some really cute head tilts and quizzical looks," she said. To draw your pet's gaze to your phone for the ideal selfie, you can try out a noise app, she added. 

Millett has found that cats will often hold still so that they can listen intently if you softly meow or play gentle kitten sounds on YouTube. For dogs, she suggests using unique animal sounds, such as duck calls. The crinkling of a dog or cat food bag, a squeak toy, or even empty pop cans and water bottles works well for pups, too. 

Rely on leashes 

Leashes can help bridge any training gaps, keeping your dog nearby and under control during the shoot, said Bell. Millett noted that they're also useful for cats who are conditioned to wear one with a collar. 

They can also be a big help if you have a second set of hands to assist you. "You can have somebody crouch and hide behind [an] elevated surface, and the leash comes straight down the dog's back into the person's hand," Millett said. 

If you're working alone and using a timer to get in a photo with your dog, Bell recommends leashing them in the direction that the camera is pointing. Having your leash in hand will allow you to nudge your pup's gaze in the right direction. 

Just be sure to avoid rushing back into the frame once you've set the timer. "Your dog is going to feed off your energy," said Millett.

Be mindful of their energy levels

Another key consideration for getting a great portrait is timing. You'll want to take photos when your pet is most likely to be calm, avoiding their usual activity peaks, said Millett. "For dogs, it could also be after you exercise them," she added, though you'll want to save some energy for the photo shoot. 

When it comes to puppies, Millett mentioned that pet owners should avoid taking photos close to their nap time. Young dogs can become overstimulated, making it difficult for them to wind down afterward. 

As effective as the above techniques might be, pet owners should also be mindful that animals can tire quickly. For this reason, Bell recommends keeping a photo session to no more than 10 minutes and considering several tactics to get that perfect photo.

Dive in and go with the flow

Despite any challenges that may be a part of the experience, Millett and Bell both believe a photo with your pet is a keepsake — and you don't need to wait for a special occasion to take one.

"There's no such thing as too many photos," said Bell. "Animals, unfortunately, aren't with us for very long, so I wouldn't be waiting for the perfect situation — I would be diving in, experimenting."

And as you do, try not to stress if your pet isn't constantly looking in the right direction or posing perfectly. "You really only need a fraction of a second to take a photo, so you don't need prolonged 'good behaviour,' whatever that may mean to you," said Bell.

"Really, you want to focus on an animal's attitude … if the animal is happy, you're going to have a nice photo."