Photography Tips - How to Take Better Pictures of People and Pets

People and pets are among the most challenging subjects to photograph, and yet these photographs command the most interest. No matter what your level of skill, there is always something new to learn about taking better pictures, especially when it comes to people and pets. We hope this article provides tips that help you better photograph the personalities of the people and pets in your life!

Taking Better People Pictures

The best pictures of people portray their personalities. While a snapshot captures a true likeness, often times the picture doesn't portray the person's usual expressions and people end us saying that the " picture doesn't look like me." The solution to this problem is simple: After setting up your photo shoot, spend a little time chatting with the subject, camera ready. When you see that smile or look that has their name written all over it, start clicking.

A few technical tips:

Keep in mind that Portrait mode tends to distort, making the subject look wider or younger. Depending on the age of the subject, the latter might be appreciated, but normally you would avoid this distortion by zooming. Stand close enough that the subject fills the frame of your viewfinder, take one step back, zoom to fill your frame again and shoot.

Use natural light when possible. If using indoor lighting, opt for lamps with full spectrum bulbs. Low ceiling light usually creates pretty bad shadows.

Shoot in high resolution so that you can make nice, large prints of the best, then display them in picture frames to hang on your walls and give as gifts.

Taking Better Pet Pictures

The first rule of thumb for taking pet pictures is: Set your camera to Sports mode or a high shutter speed!

If your camera has a Burst mode this can be very helpful with pets in hyper motion because it will give you lots of pictures from which to choose.

Sometimes instead of using the higher shutter speed to freeze the action, you might want to blur to emphasize a crazy movement, like your dog chasing its tail. In this case, use Portrait mode for a slower shutter speed.

As with people, and even more so, natural light is best, not just because the photos will come out better, but because flash can upset animals. If you must use flash, protect your pets' eyes from injury by referring to your camera's safe distance recommendations (usually four or more feet).

If your pet has a light colored coat, a bright overcast sky will highlight it best; conversely if your pet has a dark coat, direct sunlight will bring out the richness of color. If photographing in bright sunlight, use the same times of day you would with people, when the sun is lower rather than higher in the sky.

To get really good candid shots of your pet, plan your photo shoot for when you have lots of time to follow your pet around, camera ready. Using zoom will allow you to get good shots without being so close your pet is more interested in the camera then just being itself giving. So if you can, keep your distance and use the zoom (optical zoom is best).

Finally as with people, focus on the eyes. Get down to your pet's level to do this.

By using these tips for how to take better people and pet pictures you'll have what you need to capture some fantastic photos. Have fun shooting and don't forget to frame your favorite photos!