50 Times Pets Almost Gave Their Owner A Heart Attack By How Terrifying They Looked

While looking at this compilation of not necessarily the most beautiful pics of pets, it’s tempting to blame the animal for not staying still for the camera. After all, posing is a skill and not everyone has it. But what if we look at the non-photogenic pets from a whole different perspective? What if I tell you, it’s the camera man, meaning you, who needs some improvement?

Well, to find out what it takes to make your furball look splendid in pics, Bored Panda reached out to Sydney-based pro pet photographer Keefe Tay, who runs “Furry Munchkins Pet Photography.” When asked what are the most common mistakes that people make when photographing their pets, Keefe said it's that they don’t get down to the same level as their pets.

“The best advice would be to get down low and photograph them at their eye level, it makes them stand out as the subject and allows the viewer to see things from their perspective,” he explained.

Another common faux pas is not trying to make the photo shoot fun for their pets. “Pet photo sessions should be the most fun a dog and/or cat ever has in the week. Whip out the treats, toys, and bring them to their favorite parks/beaches/locations for photos.”

The third mistake is not having the right lightning. “I'm not necessarily talking about getting fancy lighting equipment here. But, for outdoor shots, I recommend not to take photographs of them in harsh direct light! When the sun is directly above the subject on a cloudless day, this will make for very harsh shadows and lighting. Aim to shoot closer to sunset or sunrise when the sun is low in the sky.”

For those who’re wondering if particular animal breeds are generally more photogenic than others, Keefe would say no. “All animals are beautiful and your photos will show that if you have the right lighting. Aim to capture their unique traits and personalities and show it off in a beautiful way.”

On the other hand, not everyone has time, effort, and all the resources to make a fancy studio setup to shoot their pet. But according to Keefe, “capturing your pet's personality (when they are doing something silly/cute/fun) wherever you are is priceless,” and it doesn’t take a whole lot to have some fun with your furry friend.