Creating a Feeling When Photographing Your Pet

Sunday 29 June 2025, 17:17 by Nando Harmsen | 2,058 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Do you have a pet? Then it is always fun to take photos of it. It does not matter whether it is a dog or a cat, a bird or a fish, a rat or a hamster. Although some pets make it easier than others.

I mention a fish, rat or hamster in this list. But those pets are probably less easy to photograph in the ways I will cover. A rat will probably evoke emotions in some people, but in a different way.

This is Bruc.
The inspiration I want to give mainly concerns dogs and cats, perhaps some birds. Whatever pet you have, you should certainly try these techniques. The feeling you are trying to evoke is about the way you position your pet in the photo.

Naturally, I use our dog Bruc as a model. Who else? The viewpoint and focal length I choose show Bruc in different ways. This creates a feeling that you can use consciously.

First of all, there is the photo taken from eye level. You hold the camera at your pet's eye level. Choose a slightly longer focal length and keep your distance. This is a neutral, natural way.

A neutral perspective by photographing at eye level, with a slightly longer focal length
If you take a photo at eye level but use a wide-angle lens, you get the typical wide-angle distortion. This often creates a funny effect, almost a caricature if you take it too far.

Using a wide-angle lens at eye level creates wide-angle distortion. Bruc's head is larger than his body.
This funny effect can be strengthened further by photographing with a wide-angle lens from a high viewpoint. You get the best effect when there is a connection between you and your pet.

An extreme wide angle and a high viewpoint can produce special photos. Endearing, loyal and, in this case, expectant.
Choosing less of a wide angle prevents the funny effect. This adds a submissive effect. It emphasises that you are the owner and that the pet has to do what you want.

One way to capture Bruc in a submissive way. Bruc now has to look up at me.
You achieve the opposite of a funny and submissive effect by going extremely low. Put the camera on the ground and use a wide-angle lens. In this case, the pet towers high above you. It gives a feeling of power and pride. This is the 'hero shot.'

If you choose an extremely low viewpoint, you get the real hero shot. Proud and grand.
You can of course vary the different ways of positioning your pet in the photo. Between a normal and low viewpoint. Between a high and normal viewpoint. More wide angle, or less. Do think about what you want to say with your photo. Choose your viewpoint and focal length based on what you want to show.

You also understand that some pets are more suited to this than others. With a fish, it will be much more difficult or impossible. A small pet such as a hamster will also present more of a challenge. Find out what is possible and be creative.

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