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Taking pictures of children and pets – tips for animal family photos

Taking pictures of children and pets – Practical tips for animal family photos

In many families, children with a pet have a loyal friend by their side. Natural family photos can create precious memories of this animal friendship. However, photographing children and pets at the same time often presents parents with a double challenge. Many of the rules of photography can be applied equally to children and animals. Together with professional family photographers and photography enthusiastic mothers, we have collected some tips for you.

Take pictures with composure

(Photo: Sevi Koch Photography)

Tip from Sevi Koch: “As with all shootings, but especially with shootings with small children and animals it is important to see and to wait with the heart. Patience has the highest priority here. There is a special bond between children and animals and if you wait patiently and do not try to put things into practice, they will come on their own. And then you just have to be ready for the moment, just press the trigger. “

Patience often pays twice. Because after the romp children and animals are often k.o. played. Do not leave the camera early but wait a while. Both rest and maybe even someone takes a nap? The ideal time for detailed and particularly harmonious photos with a child and his pet. For particularly active dogs, you could also deliberately let off steam before a shoot, so they are exhausted in the photos and a little quieter.

(Photo: Karolina Krausser)

In addition, the tip of Karolina Krausser: “The more informal the animals act in front of the camera, the more beautiful shots you get. That’s why my most important tip for family photos with pets is patience and speed. Actually, there are two tips, but in my eyes belong together, especially in cats, which are known to be loners. Actually, I intended to photograph only the mother with the baby, but I saw from the point of view that the cat has placed itself comfortably and elegantly in front of the actual motive. Now it had to be fast. I changed my position, focused on the cat, because I wanted to have it in the foreground, and pulled it off. “

Sharp photos through correct camera settings

(Photo: Svenja Johansson)

Does your pet just want to cuddle with the child for the photo and look into the camera? No problem. Let the two romp and games – so create a few lively action photos.

Family photographer Svenja Johansson advises you:
“Patience is the magic word, because you need it for photos with children and animals. Personally, I’m watching closely, trying to catch the perfect moment. “

One of the biggest challenges is certainly the strong urge to move from child and animal. Sharp images despite making quick movements is not so easy. We strongly recommend you choose a dynamic focus method and take pictures in continuous shooting mode. Take a photo more and sort later on the computer. So you increase the chance for the snapshot. And of course you should keep the shutter speed low. If you are not sure yet in the manual mode of your camera, put your camera in Sport mode.

Go to eye level

Anna Zeiter works with the following tips: “In order to get expressive and impressive pictures, I go directly to the eye level of the child or the animal when photographing. In this way I win the trust of the children as well as the animals. In addition, like to show the children between 1-2 pictures, depending on how old they are. And of course, do not forget the treats! “

(Photo: Anna Zeiter)

Capture the character of pets artistically

Try to capture the character of the pet with the camera. Is it a meek, quiet and cuddly cat? Or a curious and playful dog puppy that is bursting with energy?

Take a photo without a flash

A tip from Dreifachmama @RosalieNobody: “Flash light can be a distraction and mood-killer in smaller children as well as animals. In small and dark rooms, flashlight is also very hard. If it’s too dark, do not be afraid to increase the ISO. However, you get the most harmonious pictures with natural light sources. So you better go to the window or even better out into nature. “

Focus on the eyes

Just like when photographing the children, you should also focus on the animals’ eyes with pets. So you can visualize the personality through the eyes. Are animals and children at the same time in the picture, you focus on the subject, which is closer to it.

(Photo: Claudia @lebensgefluester)

Claudi @lebensgefluester: “The picture of Vincent and my daughter was created when he was supposed to stay in the chair because we unpacked the suitcases and I did not want him to distribute everything in the room, after all he is 16 weeks old and a bit wild. She went to him and stroked him. Sometimes she goes right back, this time she stayed. I took my camera carefully and waited. I asked, “You love Vincent very much, what” and then, she hugged him. There are other pictures where her face is to be seen, with a hearty laugh – so honest. Actually, I really like it very much, because somehow, even without a sweet child’s face, it has captured a moment so full of love and affection. It does not take more than that, for a good picture. “

Summary of Claudi @lebensgefluester

“So my tip for those who like to take pictures: be patient. not only looks through the viewfinder of your camera, but also experiences the moment. Distract him a little, if need be, but do not make it unnatural by giving her instructions and pulling children out of the intuitive situation. “

Making beautiful family photos with pets may not always be easy. But with the right camera attitude and a lot of patience you will succeed. Photography should be fun for children and animals at all times. Small tricks and treats are, of course, allowed.

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Christina Cherry
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