As photographers, we know that pet photography can have its challenges, but with some solid pet poses in your rotation, you can create some of the most memorable and stunning images for your client (and your portfolio). And let’s be real – getting paid to work with cute animals is about as good as it gets.
Make sure you show up prepared to lead the session with some go-to pet photography posing ideas that will have their owners over the moon with the final stills. These five photography poses are a great starting-off point, so save these ideas for pet photoshoots for your next four-legged subject!
Sittin’ pretty
This photography pose is simple yet effective, and works amazingly well for dogs, cats and small animals of all kinds.
To get them to sit still, use their favorite treats (coordinate with their parents before the session!) or a toy to capture their attention. Once they’re sitting, carefully adjust their position by moving their tail and legs for a more relaxed, natural pose.
Action shots
One of our top posing ideas to capture your pet’s unique personality: action shots!
Use a fast shutter speed to capture your pet mid-jump, or tempt them with a treat to get a candid shot that’s sure to incite some smiles. Action shots are an A+ way to bring out the playful side of your pet and showcase their winning personality.
Puppy eyes and face licks
No one can resist those puppy dog eyes!
Getting your subject to make eye contact with the camera is a great way to convey that special connection between humans and their pets. Trust us, no one will be able to scroll past a pic of that sweet face! Nail this pose by getting down on their level and using toys or treats to hold their attention. Once they’ve locked in on their prize, snap away!
Focusing on the fur baby
Sometimes pet parents want to be included, too! This shot will keep any dog dad happy while making sure their pet stays the star of the show.
Simply bring their four-legged BFF into focus and blur out the owners to make it feel like they’re daydreaming about what their owners are up to! This is one of our fave posing ideas for pets and their owners.
The classic head tilt
You also can’t go wrong with a head tilt pose!
To achieve this adorable dog photography shot, make a sound that the dog finds interesting, like the squeak of a toy or a whistle, to grab their attention. Once they look over with that inquisitive head tilt, that’s your cue to start snapping away! Ask your client to bring some accessories; a cute patterned bow tie or some bows for their ears can really kick the cuteness up a notch!
Get more ideas for pet photoshoots – free
With these ideas in your back pocket, you’re well on your way to acing your next pet photo session and capturing images that your client will cherish forever. Remember: for dog photography and other pet pictures, patience is key, and having a ton of treats at your disposal is always a good idea.
If you’d like to add even more pet photo poses to your arsenal, download the Unscripted App! This free app includes tons of pet photography poses and pet photoshoot inspiration, so you can focus on nailing the shoot and strengthening your business!
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