Taking Great Pet Photos January 3, 2008

Copyright 2006 Francesca Black

Capturing photos of a pet is as much about capturing their unique markings as it is about capturing their personality. When taking a picture of your pet, take a photograph that you believe displays their personality. While slightly more challenging than landscape photographs, pet photos can store precious memories of man’s best friends.

Eye Level:

When you are taking a photograph of a small pet, be sure to get on their level. Sit on the grass, lie on the floor, whatever it takes. This is especially important for full body shots, which generally look significantly better from the side rather than above. The same is true for large pets, if you are photographing a horse you might find you need to use a step ladder to take full body shots. Try to avoide having the pet looking up at you, unless that is the specific image you wish to record.

Pet Position:

If the pet will not sit still, have someone hold them in position. If the photographs are solely for the portrait, then hands and arms in the frame do not matter and can easily be removed as long as they do not cover important markings. Pets are most amniacable when you go to where they are most comfortable; it is crucial you don’t make the pets come to you.

Capture The Pet’s Personality:

Capture the most characteristic expression and pose of the pet. If the pet is generally happy, capture their version of a smile. Lighting: The best possible lighting is achieved outside, in natural light. Try to take all photos in natural light, even if the pet is an indoor only pet. The sun and natural light will enhance the pet’s coat and bring out any natural highlights, that may not show up in photos taken with poor lighting. Using a flash when photographing pets will often cause red eye.

A flash can also distort the true coloring and shades of the pets coat. The exception to this unwritten rule is if you are photographing a black pet, if that is the case a flash can actually bring out shading and texture which may be lost in photos taken under other lighting conditions.

Photography Props for Pets:

A good idea is to have the pet’s favorite treats or toys handy. Hold them up near the camera to catch the pet’s interest. In fact, photographing pets is often not very different from photographing young children, don’t be afraid to be silly. Sometimes making funny and unusual noises or movements will capture the pets attention and focus.

Some great Horse Photos - http://www.horse-supplies.org/funny-horse-pictures.htm

Pets have a special place in their owner’s hearts. Capturing their true personality can be a challenge, but a good pet photo will last along with the memories of a furry loved one forever.

Francesca Black enjoys photography as a hobby and manages content at Future Photo www.future-photo.com and Digital Photo Tips www.digital-photo-tips.com/

Why Photography Props Are An Absolute Must In Professional PhotoShooting                               

by Muna wa Wanjiru at 3isource.com  December 31, 2007

There are all sorts of reasons for which photography props are an absolute must in professional photo shooting, but very often a lot depends on the type of perception the viewer has on things. On the one hand we can talk about the objective props that are considered must-haves for picture taking in general: here we include the backdrop, the lights, the possible prints and so on. As for the subjective photography props, we could say that they are related to the photographer's vision of a certain scene or picture pose. Photography is not simply about the truthful rendering of reality but more about seeing a certain touch of emotion on a model's face for instance.

Photography props are ideal for creating a picture atmosphere: in the setting both the model and the photographer are co-participants in a concept-design process that can be shaped and influenced by mood, attitude, flexibility and good communication. Let's take for instance the use of the backdrop to create whatever type of effect one has in mind. One thing is for sure here, such an item should not be more interesting than the focal part of the picture: no photography props could actually be as fascinating as the model.

Consequently, make sure that the photography props used in the proces are all having a proper quality level to ensure the correct picture outcome. We should probably mention the fact that photography props are different according to the place where the shooting session is set: you'll need one type of items for outdoors photos and a completely different one for indoors shooting. Moreover, in case you are using a digital camera, the photography props used can be virtual. The latter type of concept is representative for the modern tendencies of taking the picture and adjusting the background and the setting on the computer by means of special software.

Thus, we could actually speak of an absence of photography props when digital cameras are used; most often the choice belongs to the photographer. The quality and the nature of the props is highly influenced by the type of photos one wants to make; amateurs will not bother too much about setting the background correctly, whereas professional photographers will keep arranging and rearranging the setting for hours. The finality of the photos is also important in the choice of photography props, this means that for exquisite glamor pictures, a more special background in required.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Photography for Years. For More Information on Photography Props, Visit His Site at PHOTOGRAPHY PROPS

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Newborn Poing Set to be online soon November 26, 2007

In collaboration with photographer Jennifer Turner, a newborn imaging specialist, we offer the Newborn Posing Set.  The Set includes a large oval pillow in white or black vinyl with a hole in the middle; a small pillow to fill this hole when necessary; and a four small beanbags which are strategically placed to lift, support or highlight various parts of the baby's body.  Click to see images of the prop being used.

Large posing pilllow and inner pillow measure 25x21x6"; Accessory beanbags include two small cloth beanbags and two small vinyl beangags.  This piece is available now for $149.00 plus $15.00 for shipping.  The basic large pillow can be purchased by itself for $89.00. The Newborn Posing set is now available in the photography props catalog.   If you have questions about this new photography prop (see image below), please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 800-731-6666. 

New Metal Wagon Prop for Babies and Children November 21, 2007

Our latest design in the "Elegant Garden" category of props is the Metal Wagon for babies and children.  This prop is an excellent choice for both boys and girls.

It features a wood seat with an additional jump seat (easily removed), tasteful metal sides and a metal undercarriage and wheels with a rubber rim.  Possible poses and uses: older babies and toddlers can sit comfortably and hold on to the sides for support; use a cushion and pillow liner (as seen in our baby basket) to pose a propped baby; place toys, dolls or bears in the wagon with the child standing close; use outdoors with one child in the wagon being pulled by a another child; and, finally, use the wagon in a wedding procession to include a baby or toddler in the wedding.

Price is $279.00 with some assembly required (screwing the metal frame to the bottom of the wood base and putting the wheels on the axles).  For an additional $75.00 fee, we will fully assemble and ship the wagon. 

Wood seat base measures 28" x 14";  the height of the metal back of basket section is12"; overall back height is 27"; and Jump seat is 8" from the top of the sides.