Pet Photography Tips & Posing Tricks

[@JeffCreates]

Dear god it's so refreshing to watch a video that gives useful genuine information without feeling the need to be bombastic about it.

[@WestcottLighting]

Haha, glad it was helpful Jeff!

[@betasector]

I work at a shelter in Hungary, started photographing our rescues in 2018, and aside from no studio work yet (we do outdoor shoots), it's good to see/hear how similar techniques you use.

[@EliInfante]

Wonderful tips Adam! Always love your insight :)

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thanks so much Eli!

[@LeHung-sr9qd]

I was looking for a guideline to give my dog a photoshoot and have found out that there are 2 layers of diffusion with the soft box. thank you so much for the information. you earn an appreciated subscription.

[@WestcottLighting]

So glad you found this helpful, Adam does an amazing job breaking everything down!

[@mcs3015]

A sample image in the video shows ISO 1600 - f/5.6 - 1/6400 sec. The catchlights look like the Octa-M, so I'm assuming you used the FJ-400. Are these the actual settings? And what are your flash settings on the camera body? High-speed sync? The tips on this video are AMAZING! Thanks for all the valuable info in addition to the gear/technical tips.

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

We are using the Octa M. We use an R5 and don't need to change the flash settings on the camera body. Once I hit 1/250, it changes automatically. You're very welcome! Glad it helps!

[@mcs3015]

@@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683 Thanks for the quick reply. My R3 arrives on Tuesday, so I assume it will have the same functionality. I got an EOS R the month it was released, and have skipped the R5 and R6. Can't wait to make use of the animal AF features! My employer has their annual "Cute Pets" contest this month, and I will be using your tips to hopefully get a few great shots.

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

@@mcs3015 You're welcome! Best of luck!

[@randomstufff4u]

Zukes training treats are great, soft, and small it just is enough to give them a taste.

[@marleneanderson9121]

Thank you so much for the information! I am just starting out and this is super informative 😊

[@WestcottLighting]

You're so welcome!

[@pattymattes7124]

Thanks for the tips! I do photo shoots for our local shelter. I've never had an animal be afraid of the flash. I've had a dog be afraid of the noise of the background paper but I've not had an animal be afraid of the flash. For me I would be concerned about continuous lights always shining in the animal's eyes. Also, I use my sync speed on my camera when doing treat throws. I rely on the flash's flash duration to capture action. Saves on battery power because HSS can eat up that. Just my experience. I love how you converted a shelf to use as a platform. I'm currently looking into doing something similar for home studio shoots. At the shelter with small dogs we use a table with a spotter of course. Thank you!!!

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

You're very welcome. We stopped using the rim lights at the shelter since this video was made and that has helped a lot. Almost done are scared of the flash now. I think it was because it was behind them and startled them. We have also started using the Freeze Mode on FJ400 for action shots vs shutter speed and are loving the results. It saves a lot on batter like you said and HSS you also lose power too.

[@pattymattes7124]

@@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683 Unless you turned off the beep sound from the flash I'll bet it was the beep noise. I have found that noise is a big deal to both dogs and cats as well as some other animals. Although the hamsters, the baby mice and baby rats didn't seem to be bothered by anything. They just wanted to escape, LOL.

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

@@pattymattes7124 We do have the beep off. Sometimes the popping noise gets them too

[@kaylablock1425]

What kind of lighting do i need indoors?

[@dieg0b0huri]

What backdrop stand do you recommend? Thanks!

[@duku_jh]

Thanks for the great tips! But does your camera allow you to have more than 1/250 shutter speed with lighting? I thought most of the cameras let you have shutter speed only upto 1/125 or 250 with lighting.

[@marieschaller4560]

Your videos are always so informative, so thank you again for this one! How do handle a high energy dog, who maybe isn't the best listener? Im just starting pet photography (starting with my own), and one of my Labs is very food motivated, but follows me for his rewards, instead of staying where I want him placed.

[@yaxonmedia]

Great tips!! Patience is totally necessary if you are working with different types of doggos.

[@WestcottLighting]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!!

[@janehwang5578]

Great video! What is the brand of the background you use?

[@bobeedy]

Super helpful, thank you! Can you tell me what your multi backdrop system is called. Looks like what I'm looking for (if it's not attached to the ceiling or wall)

[@utopiaforgood]

Hi, could you please guide me on where i could Buy your same background rollers Setup ? Love the channel! thanks for everything!

[@bobeedy]

that's what i was asking, too

[@irishktgirl]

Hi! I am a dog photographer and want to use the light in the middle like you do. What is that light stand? Is it weighted with a sandbag?

[@rondrake2674]

hey Adam, great video. Just wondering what is your power output on key and the strips. Thanks.

[@amandabarthorpe1898]

Sorry, I am confused. How are you shooting at such a high ss with strobes? Great video. I have been a photographer for 7 years specializing in newborn but am slowly changing my specialty.

[@petphotographermarketplace]

Speaking from my experience, if your strobes are HSS (high speed sync) capable, you can use any shutter speed you need. Otherwise, you have to keep your shutter speed below your camera's sync speed (usually 1/250s - 1/320s)

[@Lucamitm]

What precautions do I need to take with light with newborn puppies ? I know I can’t just flash them with a strong light but I’m guessing a size of softbox, distance and power output combination diffuses that light to be safe but no idea on where to start. Right now my cousin has a one month old puppies I’ve been wanting to photograph but have been hesitant with the lighting. Thanks

[@TheresAlpha_In_Moxy]

What’s a good camera and lens to start out with?

[@Grizubom]

Which one is better for animal eye focus? Sony a7 series or Canon r5?

[@PritiShikotraPhotography]

lol the squeaker went and my dog just got up off the couch 😂

[@donnaholt]

Great video!!

[@spoox7107]

Awesome walkthrough video and tips! One question. How do you keep your lights on and have them flash? Thank you 😊

[@DavidLeeWedDJ]

They'll have modelling lights you can turn on & off. That way you can see where the light is hitting, so you know they are pointing in the right direction.

[@emns-fn9xh]

Using just The flash to freeze motion is actually really easy and would also be the way ppl without hss compatible gear would do it..

[@petphotographermarketplace]

Only if you have high-power lights. The reason why is lower-powered lights may need to be set to high/full-power, in which case FLASH DURATION is only about 1/250s - not enough to freeze fast motion. Also, to freeze motion, you need to cut all ambient light otherwise when your shutter is open, you capture motion before and after the flash fires.

[@jaidyn.m]

@@petphotographermarketplaceso what about someone with a T7 can i do shoots with this?

[@petphotographermarketplace]

@@jaidyn.m what is it you are trying to do? If you are outdoors in sunlight you would be able to freeze motion with a fast shutter speed, such as 1/1250s for a running dog, for example.

[@jaidyn.m]

@@petphotographermarketplace rn i’m doing macro photography getting into more wildlife photography

[@jaidyn.m]

@@petphotographermarketplace but i’d like to learn pet portraits and different techniques i was just more or less asking if a T7 is adequate enough if i wanted to make a little money on the side from this

[@santiagotorrealba8489]

Do you always shoot with flash? are there pets or pet owners that dont allow flash?

[@ioanagogo]

What camera would you suggest for someone who knows the settings and other information but wants to start a small bussines for dog photos but outside? I wanted the sony a7 ii for start then to go to 7iii. What do you think?

[@kimdavidson8020]

Wonderful video Adam. I am gearing up to start taking photos for a non-profit that helps transition dogs from a rescue or shelter into their new homes. What brand, color and size of background paper you use or recommend? Do you use paper? Thank you.

[@WestcottLighting]

Adam actually answers those question in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJvEf5JtqdOFgbc

[@user-lr6ze7dg2k]

thanks good video

[@MrChamber]

helped alot

[@theoilyduckling1577]

Squeak toy noise on the video has my dogs on high alert 🤣

[@Ry311GP]

What freezes action with flash photography ? Shutter speed or flash power?

[@WestcottLighting]

You can freeze action with both. We actually did a video on freezing action with strobes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4TRnpt6iZ6Uqbs

[@mypawssionbyamoreenaandben9069]

How do you photograph 4 dogs at the same time ? Any tips will be appreciated

[@Rambo-Ruby]

Good video 😊

[@WestcottLighting]

Thanks 😁

[@suekvale183]

Front button or back button focus?

[@pattymattes7124]

If you are shooting dogs, cats, animals I recommend you do back button focus on continuous. That's what I do.

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Thanks for asking Sue! We use Back Button focus to quickly enable animal eye focus on our Canon R5. I enabled that programming the * button to a custom setting.

[@bobbystacy5890]

So how are you using 1/4000 and the flash?

[@ZachyttoCz]

hss

[@JMCretella]

Any referrals for the frisco Texas area?

[@anthonyshepard9606]

: OUTSTANDING informational COMMENTARY. I was wondering if I can use this concept on babies, toddlers and young kids. I was trying to figure out what type of treat to use. LOL. (Just kidding) Can you use this with cats? They are a little bit more finicky. 🐢 📸 🐢 😀 🐢 👍

[@WestcottLighting]

Thanks for watching Anthony! Adam actually discusses his techniques for cats in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJvEf5JtqdOFgbc

[@agoldphotopetphotographyst5683]

Yes! We have a video on our channel with tips for cats. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYPGmmp-iNtlj7s

[@Teenywing]

Little nuggets of liver. It’s the best for me.

[@Lubo54]

👍👍👍

[@WestcottLighting]

😁😁😁

[@thedronescene7474]

I am so confused with him. He said " I do not need high ISO" but yet he was shooting with 1600 ISO...........

[@gauravdobh]

I think high ISO applies when the shutter speed is very high. In this case it was 6400 or so.

[@LowKeyFossil]

Also, high-end gear can go as high as 25 600+ ISO while giving you usable photos.

[@Joel-up3ru]

Do some pets pee on backdrop sometimes?

[@tommytexter4054]

Why do u need shutter speed when using flash in studio???? Your flash duration is the shutter speed.

[@pierrestephenson4231]

Yep. You don't. The strobe duration is so short it freezes the action. No need to use high speed sync.

[@AmelieAndersen-q8b]

hey Adam, great video. Just wondering what is your power output on key and the strips. Thanks.