Holiday Photo Cards: 10 Tips for Pet Photos

Capturing the perfect pet holiday photo doesn't have to be stressful. Follow these professional pet photographers' tips and your holiday pet photo card will be adorable!

1. Start Slow

Cameras cause curiosity in pets, so it's important to properly introduce your dog or cat to photo equipment before shooting holiday pet photos. "Start by having the camera around your neck or in your hand while you're petting or playing with the animal," says Andrew Darlow, author of Pet Photography 101: Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Dog or Cat.

Let him smell it and inspect it for a few minutes, then begin taking pictures at a distance and slowly move in to allow your pet to adjust to the camera and its sounds.

2. Schedule the Shoot

Does your dog double as an alarm clock seven days a week? Try photographing her after you get back from your morning walk. She'll have less energy and better listening skills while you're behind the camera trying to get her to sit and stay.

Or maybe you want a holiday pet photo that has action or movement. Plan on photographing your otherwise lazy cat just after her midday nap when she perks up to play.

3. Pick the Place

"Your pet will look most like himself in the photo if you choose a location that he's comfortable in," says Mark Rogers, professional pet photographer.

If you don't normally take your puppy to the scenic park one town over, it's probably not a good idea to have your holiday pet photo session there since new sights, sounds, and smells will likely distract him. Opt for what's familiar -- and don't rule out your own home. There's no need to take a photo of your pet outside if he spends all or most of his time indoors.

4. Let There be Light

The best times to photograph your pet outside are 10am and 2pm ,when the sun emits golden light.

The hour to avoid? Noon. "Midday, the light from above flattens everything out," says Rogers. "And white and black animals reflect or absorb light so you're left with no definition in the photo." The ideal plan is to snap in the shade where the light tends to be even or find somewhere indoors where there is ample light for your holiday pet photo.

5. Set the Scene 

Rethink the felt reindeer antlers, elf ensemble, and Santa suit.

"People tend to over do it when it comes to pet holiday cards," says Rogers. "You don't have to clutter the background with every holiday decoration you own. A simple well-placed prop can go a long way."

If your pet won't tolerate all the bells and whistles for a holiday pet photo, give her a stuffed gingerbread man toy to play with or a snowflake collar to wear. Positioning a winter wreath or a wrapped gift box in the background is another easy way to add festive flair without making it a production. Simple elements like this also work great for bunnies, birds, reptiles and other pets!

6. Stay Focused

No matter how simple or elaborate of a scene you've set for your holiday pet photo, remember to keep the photo about your pet.

Darlow suggests shooting in action or pet mode (look for a running man or a sitting dog on your camera's control knob) to avoid blurry pictures and get a clean, crisp shot.

When it comes to your camera's flash -- be careful! Not only can you freak your pet out if it goes off during a close up, it can cause green eye, the animal equivalent of red-eye, which can be hard to correct even using computer software. If you must use your flash, step away from your pet and zoom in with your lens.

7. Strike a Pose

Position your pet however she looks natural for the holiday pet photo. "Some animals look their best when they're sprawled out on the couch others look the best standing upright," says Darlow. First and foremost, you should aim to capture your pet relaxed and in her element.

8. Level With Your Pet

Ditch the eye in the sky shot this holiday and get down to your pet's level.

If you can't get on your hands or don't want to crawl around the floor on your belly, simply bring the animal up for her holiday pet photo shoot. Have larger dogs sit or lay on the couch while you stand a few feet back or encourage your cat to chill on the counter top or table while you play paparazzi. For an interesting angle, "move your lens slightly lower than your pet's eyes to make them look heroic in the photo," suggests Darlow.

9. Recruit Help

"Having your pet make eye contact is key in the photo," says Rogers. "But it can be difficult, especially if you're by yourself." Have your partner or friend stand behind you to wrangle your pet to make getting the shot simpler.

If calling his name doesn't capture Spunky's attention encourage him with tasty reward or showing him his favorite toy. Just be careful when it comes to toy-focused dogs. Breaking out a favorite plaything too soon could end the holiday pet photo session on the spot.

10. Practice Patience

Unlike people, pets aren't trained to smile as soon as someone points the lens at them. Prepare ahead of time and photograph your pet in 10 to 15 minutes intervals so the big holiday pet photo shoot isn't the first time she sees the camera.

Most importantly, stay calm. Before you get frustrated at your pet because she won't pose perfectly while wearing 12" tall antlers and a bright red tutu, put things into perspective.

It is just a photo and there will be more holiday cards! The bottom line? "Don't go into your holiday photo session expecting an extremely specific outcome," says Rogers. "The fun of photographing pets it's the serendipity of it all."

11. Share!

If you're adding a new pet to your family this holiday season, announce her arrival and flaunt your great photos with Iams Home 4 the Holidays Pet Mail: A holiday pet photo card you can create and share via Facebook!

Check out our next holiday photo card installment: Top 10 Holiday Photo Props for Pets.