Professional Pet Photographer

Hi all, 

Looking for some other pet business photographers to chat with. Photography lover for many years now, recently decided to bite the bullet and do pet photography part-time. 

I currently have 18-55mm, 50mm 1.8 and 75-300mm lenses, HATE the 75-300mm. so would like to know what lenses work for other pet photographers

Looking at the 70-200 f/4 but really is out of budget at the minute. If anyone has any other suggestions it would be greatly appreciated (with images they produce). looking around £300 mark ish (second hand) for Cannon EF fit, open to Tameron and sigma lenses. 

I have looked at the 55-200mm f4.5 but apprehensive. Mainly work on location so not worried about the lenses coping in low light but need it to freeze action shots

Images attached of recent shoots with the 18-55mm, I get on really well with this lease even though it is the kit lenses   but it just doesn't work for my action shots.  


I'm not a specialised pet photographer but I someti-
mes like to touch it.

More important than the gear is the way one uses it.

Capturing great moments, offering proper exposures
and other technical aspects, adding an artistic intent
your clients won't achieve using a cellphone are key.

Hi and welcome to the site, the white dog is such a cutie pie!  

I turn down lots of work, weddings, graduations, portraits, etc except an occasional pet photo. Not for money, just for friends. I like working with dogs more than wedding party parents.....Keep it simple.

It's going to take time to learn and practice til you can do photography work at a professional level.

Learning to hold the camera straight and level is a basic skill you need to develop; go out and practice til you can keep the camera level and straight for every photo.

The third one down of the white dog is the best image of the dog itself, having it lying down while perked and looking and engaged with you and your camera. There's more background than necessary and the blue horizontal line created by the water makes for a visual distraction more than adding to the composition. Think about your vantage point in relation to the dog/subject.

I know a couple of people who do pet portraits and that one is more like what they do; I don't know if they do action shots. But I've done sports and it took a lot of practice to get good at the timing of getting good action shots.

Portraits I've seen have the dog groomed, not being taken when the dog's been romping in the mud. Those seem more like candids and might be fun but don't look like professional work.

The more you practice and get better the more likely you'll be able to be successful moving into photography as a business.

I try, I like being creative though.

Hi Sharon,

Thank you. Although I was just after other pet togs fave lenses.

My photography isn’t perfect, I’m yet to meet one that is, every photographer is learning every day some are just further on in the journey. I’m keen to know when you decide someone is a professional, I did find that comment degrading and unnecessary if I am honest.

Photography is a personal art after all an people book me on liking my style, in regards to your comment on the 3rd picture, yes it’s one of my favourite’s but I have to disagree with your opinion on too much back ground, I like that but again it is a personal art and what I like may not be to your taste and that ok.

I do agree with you on straightness however I throw myself about and not all images are going to come out perfect and above are an extremely small selection of images, not necessarily my best.

You may have seen the dog groomed in other pet photo sessions especially if they are studio ones, the spaniel above was also groomed and I shot lots of nice images before he decided to run into the sea and have a whale of a time (again images I have chosen)
Pet location photography isn’t about perfectly groomed pooches to me or Most pet parents, having been in the pet industry for many years people want their pets character and quickness captured.

I think as “professional” photographers we can sometimes tend to look at what’s wrong with the picture far to often rather than engaging with the beauty. Clients certainly don’t see the criticisms we will usually point out to ourselves

The last image btw all is an example of a 70-300mm image, one of the better ones at that. Certainly not an image I would present to a client and my reason for asking for lens preferences from other pet togs.

I'm sure we are in different areas of the world, would you mind sharing how to spread the word about a pet photography business?  I would love to get into it, however wasn't sure how to market myself to pet owners.  

Thank you!!

Hi Olivia,

Of course! In the technology eara it’s extremely important to have an online presence, the likes of Facebook page, Instagram, website and Posting/updating regularly and starting off with some like and share competitions and discount codes. In addition post into local Facebook groups.

I have leaflets in Related business’ such as vets, pets at home, pet supply shops also and offer a 10% discount to staff members as a thank you for advertising my leaflets.

The next think to look into will be stalls at small local pet related shows and country fairs.

Most importantly word of mouth, offer some kind of referral thank you to previous clients.

Hope this helps and good luck!!

Although I'm not a portrait or animal photographer, Sorry to say your images would not attract customers.. anyone with a smart phone could take these types of images and they will instead of paying someone to do it for them.