1) The first and most important tip is Remember to have patience with your pet AND yourself! Try to photograph them in natural and relaxed poses. Animals don't understand you're trying to take a photograph, so be gentle. 

Avoid photographing a hyper-minded pet as they may not have the patience to sit still for more than half a second. Instead, just leave them alone and approach them later when they're more relaxed. You may also consider working with someone else: one person to photograph and the other to hold a treat or toy.

Great Example: Same Level, Natural Even Soft Lighting, Entire Face in Focus

Great Example: Same Level, Close-up, Natural Even Soft Lighting, Entire Face in Focus

Perfect Example: Same Level, Close-up Natural Even Soft Lighting, Entire Face in Focus, Shows lots of Personality!

2) Consider getting down on their level.
Avoid overhead shots or those where your pet is craning their neck upwards to look at you. These typically don't make for the best portraits as your pet's head can appear to "float" or have a large head with tiny skewed body.

Great Example: Same Level, Close-up, Natural Even Soft Lighting, Eyes in Focus

Good Example: Same Level, Direct Lighting with No harsh Shadows, though maybe too far away for details.

Acceptable Example: Same Level, though body position may be confusing.

Avoid Overhead Shots, although it's cute, a painting would look like a floating head.

 
Better Variation Example: Same Level (Move the Camera)

3) Always use Natural Light. Consider your lighting and light sources. Outdoors in the early morning, the late evening, or on a cloudy day can provide softer light than typically harsh Mid-Day Sun. Sometimes the light from a window can work to cast soft lighting inside too.
Avoid color-casting lights/shadows such as Flash, yellow-orange lamps, or blue light from TV screens.

Great Example: Same Level, Natural Even Soft Lighting, Eyes in Focus

Great Example: Same Level, Direct Lighting, Eyes in Focus, Shadows/Lights are not too extreme.

Great Example: Same Level, Natural Even Soft Lighting, Eyes in Focus

 
AVOID Colored & UnNatural Light Sources.

AVOID Flash & Overly Dark Environments.

4) Consider the Cuteness-Factor & Props. Try to capture your pet's personality or pose them with their favorite toy.

Great Example: Shows lots of Personality!

Great Example: Shows personality and a favorite toy.


Great Example: Shows personality

5) Include supporting photos that show correct colors for eyes and fur patterns.

Include Detail Photos

Include Detail Photos

Include Detail Photos

Use Caution:

6) Avoid Distant or Zoomed in photos. These often lack defining detail and will only render a likeness.

Avoid: Too Far Away

7) Avoid Same-Color Backgrounds. This can make determining where your pet ends and the background begins nearly impossible. This photo is overly Dark, Distant, and suffers with Same-Color Background. Please avoid this situation!

AVOID: Too Dark, Too Far Away, Same-Colored Background.

8) Be Cautious of getting TOO close. Although a huge nose is cute, it may not translate into a painting very well, much like the floating head mentioned above.

 
Be Cautious: Beware of the Floating Head

Be Cautious: Beware of the Floating Head