Take Perfect Digital Pet Portraits

Think about what facet of your pet's personality you want to shine through. Playful? Peaceful? Dignified or silly? Choose a time of day when your pet is relaxed and not too hyper. After a meal or a walk is usually a good time.

Choose a spot with bright natural light if possible, so you don't have to use your camera's flash. Make sure the background complements your pet's coloring. A pet with different colored markings looks best against a solid background. In all cases, a simple uncluttered background will best show off your pet.

Photographing fish: clean the outside of the tank or bowl so it's streak-free and make sure the tank lighting is bright. Photograph fish at feeding time if you want action shots, or at rest if you want to show off coloring.

Photographing birds and reptiles: Take photos of your bird outside the cage if you can. Otherwise, use your zoom lens or take pictures through an open door so the bars don't obstruct your shot.

Photographing cats: Choose a time when your cat is relaxed. Position her, then use a feather toy to get her attention. Be patient! Photographing cats can be as hard as herding them, so it may take several sessions to get that perfect cat portrait.

Dog portraits: If your dog will stay on command, your job is much easier. Position your dog, then speak to him and use treats or squeaky toys to get him looking alert. It may be easier to have a partner to work with getting your dog's attention while you concentrate on snapping photos.