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Shooting Pets on Location - part 2 of 1 2 3

by Paul Walker Published 01/06/2009

Planning and Preparation

A significant part of any assignment goes into the planning and preparation. This is paramount to minimising any risks and maximising the potential opportunities for the photographer. For example, it's no use wishing to take advantage of a great location often utilised by other dog walkers if the dog in question is extremely unsociable. Some pets too will have their own agenda and will exhibit the art of selective hearing to perfection, if there are greater distractions around other than the photographer and handler. This may of course be used to your advantage, say in the case of a pet halting and then choosing to fix its gaze in a particular direction, but in most cases such distractions simply slow down the photography. Pedigree dogs and cats do provide some advantages if you know a breed's traits but there is no doubt that each individual will almost certainly have its own quirks and unique personality. This needs to be planned and accounted for both before and during any shoot. The strategy, pet characteristics and environment are all integral components to be considered even before the camera is introduced. Paul's distraction strategies for keeping a pet entertained are numerous and involve a vast array of differentShooting Pets on Location image 3 sounds, sight triggers and on some occasions food treats. Food treats are often brought along by the handlers as pet bribes but on most occasions he would rather they were left in the pocket. Dogs can become far too fixated on treats and this is often not in the direction that is desired. A salivating dog is also not that attractive to the owners. Paul has been known to balance dog treats on the tops of lenses whilst lying down. In other words, rules should only be taken as guidelines; sometimes breaking your own rules may be the only option to nail the shot you are seeking! Those same lenses have on occasions also received a thorough licking from many an inquisitive pet, especially in an enclosure of puppies. Paul says, 'That's the real reason I need a UV filter on the top of glass and not what the manufacturers tell you!'

Environments

The environment selected for any pet photography session can be a vital ingredient to both the success of the shoot and the potential sales from the client. First and foremost, the pet should be comfortable in their surroundings. 'I see many studio-style images featuring pets with a startled look of fear or trepidation on the part of the animal,' says Paul. If a pet is spooked, Paul advises that you do your utmost to work quickly once the pet has acclimatised to such unfamiliar surroundings and be sure that your lighting set-up is on the mark before the pet session begins. 'On the rare occasions where I'm shooting in the studio for commercial clients I'll typically steal one of my children's many soft toys and a light meter to gauge the necessary settings prior to the pet arriving,' Paul says.

The everyday home for a pet and the local neighbourhood is, however, where Paul's vision for a photograph is awakened. 'I love seeking out potential locations both on the shoot itself and even when walking my own dog. A self-confessed, Mr Daydream, I'll frequently be looking out of a car window and thinking about a potential photograph involving horses or a pack of dogs only to hear the words "Are you listening to me," from my wife, Kathryn.'

Although Paul is based in Scotland and has great access to beaches, parks, hills and the countryside, he believes that there's more than enough opportunities for great photographs within a hundred yards of your own front door. Never short of interesting pet assignment anecdotes Paul recalls, 'I can remember a customer turning up at the door with two daschshunds and a smooth-haired guinea pig loaded in his car. I initially thought it was one of my photographer friends putting on an accent and winding me up when booking the appointment but I thought I'd reserve judgement. On hearing the age of the guinea pig and my knowledge of the life-span of such creatures, my main aim, apart from producing some saleable prints, was that the guinea pig was returned safely to the owner in the condition that it arrived!'

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1st Published 01/06/2009
last update 09/12/2022 14:57:38

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