new at pet photography

[Josh Adams]

hey all, My business is mostly in retouching but I'm expanding to pet portraits. Just started recently. Looking for suggestions. I practiced a few and noticed cats are much more difficult than dogs. any tips on taking photos of cats? Also, suggestions on props?

josh

[Charles L Webster]

I take quite a few kitten portraits to support my friend's rescue and adoption efforts.

We always start with a bed or blanket on a posing table against a seamless paper b/g. I shoot and she uses a wand toy to attract the kitten's attention and to get some expression. We often have food or treats just off camera to keep kitten from losing interest and leaving.

I shoot from about 6" above eye level to get the facial perspective correct, and often use my EF 50mm f/1.8 II. I want to try my new EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro for these assignments, but there hasn't been an opportunity yet.

I started with a softbox on one side and a umbrella on the other for key and fill respectively. But have learned to use a large softbox off left for key, a Norman 200 head with a diffuser over the camera for fill and a small softbox above and behind for hair light.

I have learned one important lesson. Pets are all about hair. It's the texture of the hair that defines the shape and texture of the pet, so the hair light provides definition and separation from the b/g. With black hair, that hair light is the only thing that's going to provide any shape or form.

Hope this helps

[Josh Adams]

great! thanks. I'll try it out.