It is becoming increasingly popular to have a portrait session for pets much the same way parents do for their children. For some pets, this is a quick and simple process, but for others, it can be difficult. This is especially true for certain types of pets. Pet portraits are not just for dogs or even cats. Many people choose to have portraits made of their birds, hamsters, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish, even ferrets, and hedgehogs. Any type of pet you can imagine can be photographed at one of these settings. Of course, not all pets are entirely corroborative when it comes to getting them to pose for pictures. This means that you will need to take steps to prepare your pet for picture day and help them be calm during the actual photographs. Thankfully, there are several techniques and methods of keeping different types of pets calm while posing and dealing with flashing lights. These techniques are the topic of conversation here and you will find valuable information along the same topic.
The first step to ensuring a good experience with pet portraits is finding the best possible company to take photographs. The best way to do this is to learn about all of the options and compare them to determine the best possible option. The first step is to research the companies in your area that perform a pet photo session. Many photographers are more than happy to do sessions for pets, but not all of them will. This is one of the many reasons that there are photography studios that are dedicated solely to pet photos. When researching your options, the internet is the best tool in your research arsenal. With the internet, you will be able to access many different resources all in one place whereas all other options allow for only one resource to be accessed at any given time. This is one of the primary reasons the internet is a useful tool. All you need to find all of the information you need is a bit of time and a few choice keywords. In this particular instance, there will likely be two separate searches and each will require its own set of keywords. The first search will be more generalized than the second. With the first search, you will simply be compiling a list of photographers and studios that are within a reasonable distance from your location. This search will need to contain the keywords “pet photographs” as well as location descriptors so that you can be assured of finding results from your area rather than just popular links. The second search will be more specific. Once you have your initial list, you will need to narrow the options to the ones that best fit your criteria. This narrowed down list is what you will be researching in your second search. Instead of generalized terms, you will need to use specific keywords such as the name of the studios you are interested in. An example of this is “Canvas Creatures”. This way, you can find information about each specific studio and photographer so that you can make an informed decision.
Once you have found the best place to have the photos taken, you will need to prepare your pet as much as possible. The way to do this will be largely dependent on the type of pet you have and his or her temperament. Since dogs are one of the most common types of pets to have, they are an excellent place to begin this list. Every dog has its own personality and disposition. This means that there is no single method of preparing your pooch. There are several methods that you can try depending on your pup's temperament. The first method to consider is relying on basic training. Teach your pup the basics such as sit, stay, and lay. Make sure to be generous with the rewards. Then try taking some pictures after giving a command and see how well your puppy does. If they do well, try adding a flash and extra lights. Every time the pup does well, reward him or her handsomely. Try this for a short time every day until you feel confident that your pup understands how to act when having their picture taken with lots of lights and sounds to distract them.
Cats are quite different in temperament and actions and therefore, there require an entirely different approach. Where dogs generally only require some training, cats more require conditioning and exponential rewards. Start by exposing your cat to photography by simply taking pictures, some with flash and some without. This will help the cat get used to the process. Do not be surprised if the cat is frightened at first, especially when you are using flash. Also, consider getting your cat used to having a harness or similar restraint on so that you can have more control during the photography session as well as any other necessary setting such as the vet’s office. It will likely take longer to prepare a cat than a dog, so plan accordingly.
There are many other types of pets to consider, many of which are much smaller than a cat or dog. When it comes to pets like this, one of the best things you can do is expose them to bright lights and flashes so that they will not be as scared. Many of these small creatures are difficult if not impossible to train and therefore you will need to take different measures. Having a container on hand at all times during the photo session is an excellent idea, for example. Also, make sure that you maintain control at all times. This can be done with the appropriate restraints, containers, and knowing your surroundings. You can also work closely with the photographer to ensure that you and your pet have the best experience possible. Remember, you know your pet better than anyone else, only you know what will work best and what will not.
Author, Freelance writer