Cellular phones with built-in cameras have made taking pictures of the pets we groom easy and convenient. Groomers can take quick snapshots of pets on the grooming table or even set up a dedicated space with backdrops to take more formal portraits of pets. Pictures can be gifted to customers or used to promote your grooming business on social media. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your photo sessions.
- Get on the same level as the animal. Except for specific situations, taking photos from above will not provide you with a good image of the pet’s face and personality.
- Fill the frame. Don’t be afraid to get up close to capture a particular feature or whimsical expression.
- Be aware of your background. No matter how adorable the picture of the pet is, the effect will be lost if the area behind the pet is filled with piles of pet hair or vacuum hoses.
- On that same note, make sure it doesn’t look like your grooming post or anything else is growing out of the animal’s head.
- Type “photo backdrop” into your search engine to find thousands of fun ideas. They can be hung on a wall near your grooming table and rolled up when not being used.
- Having a place to photograph pets where there is good natural light is best. If you must use a flash, you risk getting images of the dog or cat’s eyes glowing eerily green. In this case, try to get the pet to turn its eyes slightly away from the camera before you click. You can do this by having someone else call the pet or distract it in some way so that it looks just a bit away from the camera. If you are solo, try tossing a squeaky toy to one side before you click.
- Feather dusters are a great thing to keep on hand. Fluff it near the pet to capture interest, then grab the picture quickly. Most pets can’t resist the appeal of a feathered wand.
- Unusual sounds may help you get the perfect expression. For example, try squeaking toys, kazoos, or even knocking on a surface near you to see how the pet reacts.
- Don’t be afraid to take a bunch of bad pictures before you get one or two good ones. The most significant gift of digital technology is that you can delete the goofs and keep just the best images.
With great image-capturing technology at our fingertips and a plentiful supply of adorable pets, it just takes a little practice to catch memorable pictures!
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
Photo Courtesy of Melanie Charland, The Elite Paw
