Animal Welfare Professionals

What are your tips and tricks for taking marketing photos of adoptable pets?

Pet photos online at petfinder, etc. have definitely improved over the years, but there are exceptions. Dog photos are best taken outdoors when possible, but with cat photos, there's a bit of a learning curve. I've consulted a couple of photographers and watched them work and came up with these quick guides for making cat photos stand out from the crowd. With camera phones now, there is no reason not to takes several dozen (or hundreds!) photos and winnow them down to a few perfect images. Personally, I feel this is very important for engaging a potential adopter, who is scrolling through 100s of pets to find one they connect with. What else can you add?

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#MarketingandSocialMedia

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Carol B.
Foster Volunteer/Grants Coordinator
Michigan
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I used to always like taking pics of cats where they were looking up a little bit at the camera instead of down at me from a height. I would also use a toy or a treat to get that sweet, wide-eyed "puppy-dog" look.  My favorite was when I could take them to a play room and get them to sit on a cat tree and look just above the camera at whatever I was holding. It gave a nice, neutral background and a homey look. 

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Marilyn Wheaton
Client Services
AnimalsFirst
Leesburg VA
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For cats, one thing that I think is really helpful is actually recording a video of the cat. I do this in the same way I would be holding my phone and "waiting" for the perfect opportunity to snap a photo. Then I can go back and "slo-mo" through the recording, screenshotting the best parts to use for photos!

I also recently read a study that showed adopters are more likely to be interested in a cat if there is a toy in their photo. It doesn't matter if they are playing with the toy, or if it's just simply in the background. I'll link that study below! 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6445959/

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Lexi Schwalbach
Social Media Content Creator
Wisconsin's Waiting Pets
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I love this a million! You get dozens of possible stills to choose from. Brilliant! It's also nice to know there are studies being done to help get animals adopted. 

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Carol B.
Foster Volunteer/Grants Coordinator
Michigan
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2023 01:23 PM
From: Lexi Schwalbach
Subject: Pet Photography

For cats, one thing that I think is really helpful is actually recording a video of the cat. I do this in the same way I would be holding my phone and "waiting" for the perfect opportunity to snap a photo. Then I can go back and "slo-mo" through the recording, screenshotting the best parts to use for photos!

I also recently read a study that showed adopters are more likely to be interested in a cat if there is a toy in their photo. It doesn't matter if they are playing with the toy, or if it's just simply in the background. I'll link that study below! 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6445959/

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Lexi Schwalbach
Social Media Content Creator
Wisconsin's Waiting Pets
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Great point about the outside photos for dogs- those make such a difference

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Lexi Schwalbach
Social Media Content Creator
Wisconsin's Waiting Pets
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Black dogs are REALLY hard to get good pics of.  Bright sun directly in their faces isn't ideal.  When I was photographing them for a shelter, I'd get better pictures on a cloudy day with them -- it's super challenging to get their faces well.

My best friend in rescue was a professional photographer, and we'd often tag-team when we were shelter volunteers.  I'd hold leashes and she'd be lying in the grass with her Canon Rebel with a good lens snapping continuously.  (Just bring an old beach towel to lie on!)  The dog could move and she only need ONE good shot, which she'd find out of the many taken with tons of exposures.   So don't just try to take "a" picture -- keep snapping them over and over to see if you get that one great shot.

You have to get low so you're at face level or even slightly below, not looking down over the animal.   She had the squeaker from inside a dog toy in her hand and was holding it over her head, squeaking it to get them to look at it ..... and then head tilt!  Those head tilts for dogs are PURE GOLD if you can get them with a good camera that's focused close up. 

If you can blur the backgrounds with your camera settings, that's really helpful too (even outside).

Editing after the fact is important.  There's good phone editing software now, but if you can get software license through TechSoup.org for nonprofits for a product like Adobe Lightroom, you'll be able to do a lot more.

Here's an example of really bad picture of a mostly black dog --and also a couple that are better  -- so that you can see the difference in facial detail with a black fur. The first one is fuzzy, but the lighting is also hiding the facial features with shadows and black fur.  The same principal would hold for an all-black cat too!

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Maggie Thomas
President
Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
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Thanks for the suggestions about black dogs, Maggie. I am NOT a good photographer and especially struggle with black dogs... and right now have a mostly black foster dog.

Sheila

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Sheila Segurson, DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Director of Outreach and Research
Maddie's Fund
Pleasanton CA
9258608284
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2023 07:35 PM
From: Maggie Thomas
Subject: Pet Photography

Black dogs are REALLY hard to get good pics of.  Bright sun directly in their faces isn't ideal.  When I was photographing them for a shelter, I'd get better pictures on a cloudy day with them -- it's super challenging to get their faces well.

My best friend in rescue was a professional photographer, and we'd often tag-team when we were shelter volunteers.  I'd hold leashes and she'd be lying in the grass with her Canon Rebel with a good lens snapping continuously.  (Just bring an old beach towel to lie on!)  The dog could move and she only need ONE good shot, which she'd find out of the many taken with tons of exposures.   So don't just try to take "a" picture -- keep snapping them over and over to see if you get that one great shot.

You have to get low so you're at face level or even slightly below, not looking down over the animal.   She had the squeaker from inside a dog toy in her hand and was holding it over her head, squeaking it to get them to look at it ..... and then head tilt!  Those head tilts for dogs are PURE GOLD if you can get them with a good camera that's focused close up. 

If you can blur the backgrounds with your camera settings, that's really helpful too (even outside).

Editing after the fact is important.  There's good phone editing software now, but if you can get software license through TechSoup.org for nonprofits for a product like Adobe Lightroom, you'll be able to do a lot more.

Here's an example of really bad picture of a mostly black dog --and also a couple that are better  -- so that you can see the difference in facial detail with a black fur. The first one is fuzzy, but the lighting is also hiding the facial features with shadows and black fur.  The same principal would hold for an all-black cat too!

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Maggie Thomas
President
Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
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You inspired me too look online for great photos of black pets and I came across this article. https://cabbagetownpetclinic.com/2022/03/23/how-to-photograph-a-black-pet/

if you are adept at lighting, a black background on a black pet is striking. 
With cats, a straight-on photo tends to elongate a black cat's face and makes them look gloomy and old. I love the suggestions for taking the photo looking down from above and/or having someone else move a squeaky toy just above the photographer's head. 

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Carol B.
Foster Volunteer/Grants Coordinator
Michigan
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2023 07:35 PM
From: Maggie Thomas
Subject: Pet Photography

Black dogs are REALLY hard to get good pics of.  Bright sun directly in their faces isn't ideal.  When I was photographing them for a shelter, I'd get better pictures on a cloudy day with them -- it's super challenging to get their faces well.

My best friend in rescue was a professional photographer, and we'd often tag-team when we were shelter volunteers.  I'd hold leashes and she'd be lying in the grass with her Canon Rebel with a good lens snapping continuously.  (Just bring an old beach towel to lie on!)  The dog could move and she only need ONE good shot, which she'd find out of the many taken with tons of exposures.   So don't just try to take "a" picture -- keep snapping them over and over to see if you get that one great shot.

You have to get low so you're at face level or even slightly below, not looking down over the animal.   She had the squeaker from inside a dog toy in her hand and was holding it over her head, squeaking it to get them to look at it ..... and then head tilt!  Those head tilts for dogs are PURE GOLD if you can get them with a good camera that's focused close up. 

If you can blur the backgrounds with your camera settings, that's really helpful too (even outside).

Editing after the fact is important.  There's good phone editing software now, but if you can get software license through TechSoup.org for nonprofits for a product like Adobe Lightroom, you'll be able to do a lot more.

Here's an example of really bad picture of a mostly black dog --and also a couple that are better  -- so that you can see the difference in facial detail with a black fur. The first one is fuzzy, but the lighting is also hiding the facial features with shadows and black fur.  The same principal would hold for an all-black cat too!

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Maggie Thomas
President
Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
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Hi @Carol Brendler!

This video from Tim Yeaglin at  Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc. has excellent tips on pet photography, especially lighting.  Check it out and let us know how it goes for you!

Photos of Shelter Pets are Their Voices - Make Them Sing!

Length: 8 minutes (7:40)

YouTube link https://youtu.be/BE1brRksTGA

Description:

Great adoption photographs instantly grab a potential adopter's attention and can speak directly to their heart. A single photograph has lead a pet to finding his forever home – but taking a great adoption photograph and giving your homeless pets a voice isn't difficult or time-consuming and doesn't need expensive gear. Even the most inexperienced photographer can make an adoption photo sing! Find out how easy it is in this presentation by Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Ottawa, KS.

About the presenter

Award Winning Master Photographer Tim Yeaglin is Director of Operations at Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc., in Ottawa, KS, a private, no kill, non-profit shelter founded over 50 years ago by Beatrice Martin Peck. Tim's professional background in photography has garnered him many awards and put him on the list of Top Ten Photographers in Kansas City for six consecutive years. 

In 2008 Tim's life and business changed forever when a Weimaraner named Teyla stole his heart. She influenced him to become a pet portrait photographer and she also inspired him to volunteer his photography services at local shelters to help homeless pets get adopted. In 2014 he was given the opportunity to help save an Ottawa, Kansas animal shelter from closing its doors and joined the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter team as the Director of Operations. You will often hear him say "this is best job in the world." Three years and thousands of pictures later, his adoption photos continue to draw potential adopters to the shelter from all over the country.

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alison gibson
Senior Media Specialist
Maddie's Fund
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Absolutely! You're on the right track - a few extra tips can really make adoptable pet photos pop:

1. Focus on the eyes – Eyes are incredibly expressive and draw people in. Make sure they're sharp and well-lit. For cats, this is especially key since their eyes can convey curiosity, playfulness, or calmness.

2. Use natural light whenever possible – Soft daylight (near a window or outdoors on an overcast day) avoids harsh shadows and keeps fur colors true. Avoid direct flash; it can create red-eye and flatten features.

3. Get down to their level – Shooting from the pet's eye level makes photos feel more personal and engaging. For cats, this might mean lying on the floor or crouching low.

4. Capture personality – Try to photograph them doing something they enjoy - playing, stretching, snoozing, or interacting with toys. Action shots can convey energy, while calm poses can show a cuddly side.

5. Simplify the background – A clutter-free background keeps the focus on the pet. Even a simple blanket, grass, or plain wall works well.

6. Highlight unique features – Spots, stripes, ear tufts, or funny expressions can make a cat stand out among dozens of listings.

7. Take lots of shots – Like you mentioned, phones make it easy to snap hundreds. Then pick the handful that really convey their personality.

8. Consider props sparingly – A favorite toy or blanket can add context, but don't let props overshadow the pet.

9. Editing is your friend – Minor brightness, contrast, or cropping tweaks can make a big difference. Just keep it natural.

10. Engage the viewer – Photos where the pet seems to "look at you" or reaches toward the camera tend to get the most clicks and interest.

The key is really showing the pet's personality and making it easy for someone scrolling to connect emotionally in a split second.

Check out this cool article on leopards and see some excellent photos.

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enzo Dirienzo
csr
Enzo Dirienzo
ON
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