A highly skilled pet photographer, Kim Levin of
Bark & Smile Pet Portraits has worked with hundreds of pets–both well-behaved and persnickety–throughout her career. The author of nine books, she is also a passionate animal adoption advocate and her work has graced many ASPCA covers.
Check out Kim's tips below, then enjoy her photo gallery.
Tap your pet's play–ability.
Cats love playing with toys. So hold your camera in one hand and the toy in the other. Or, throw a bit of catnip on the bed to capture a "very happy" kitty. Kim Levin especially loves to photograph dogs running down the beach or playing in a pile of leaves.
Milk the background.
Always consider composition. When shooting in black & white, look at the texture and detail of the background and how it contrasts with your pet's fur. Try different angles. For a dog or cat with unique coloring, use color film against a simple background for a beautiful portrait.
Eyeball your pet.
The key to getting great portraits: lie down on the ground with your pet and take the picture at eye level. This way his eyes are staring level into the lens, as in photos of human beings. Then coo and tell him how much you love him.
Use pet phrases.
The best photos capture pets in their most natural expression. Use his nickname or say your favorite words. Kim Levin's dog Charlie always reacts to "Is there a rabbit?" A recognized phrase might just inspire a head tilt, giving you a classic portrait.
Tease with treats.
Have someone behind you hold up a treat to get the pet's attention, then snap. Treats also encourage a pet to stay in place while you take several shots.
Up close & personal.
To capture a great "mug shot"–the kind you need to make a Pet T-Shirt–get in your pet's face. Extreme close-ups are fun and a great way to experiment. Try different angles and camera lenses that make the pet look a little different.
Avoid the red-eye.
If you have a more sophisticated camera, take the flash off the camera and shoot from the side. This keeps the flash from going directly into your pet's eyes. Or, experiment with natural light. Kim says some of her favorite shots use 400-speed film with light streaming through a window or doorway to produce a romantic mood.
Soulful gazes.
Capturing your pet's soul requires time, patience, and experience. Photographing cats, especially, demands that you move into their slow-motion time. The key is relaxation. Massaging or rubbing bellies or ears will help both dogs and cats feel calm, relaxed, and safe. Just keep your hand out of the shot.
Group therapy.
Good group shots of dogs require well-trained and obedient subjects. All should know the most basic command: "Sit and stay!" If they don't know this command, Kim suggests using words and high-pitched shrill sounds to get attention. When they all look up at the same time, snap the shot.
Spontaneous portraiture.
Keep your camera nearby (digital pocket cameras are excellent) so you can capture hilarious in-the-moment antics.