Pet Photography

How to Capture Amazing Photos of ICARE Animals

Volunteers and fosters, your photos make a huge difference! A great picture can mean the world to an animal waiting for a home. Whether we’re posting adoptable pets online, sharing updates, or reaching out to donors, your photos help us tell ICARE’s story and showcase the animals beautifully.

Here are some tips to make each shot shine, show off the animals, and represent ICARE in the best light.

Eleven Tips for Taking Awesome Animal Photos

1. Keep it Upbeat. Avoid sad or upsetting images; happy, adoptable-looking animals are the goal. A cheerful photo makes people feel good about getting involved with ICARE’s mission.
2. Focus on Close-Ups. Faces connect us to animals. Aim for close-up shots with one or two subjects at most, keeping backgrounds simple and free from distractions.
3. Put the Animal Front and Center. For adoption photos, keep the focus on the animal without other subjects. The less background clutter, the more their personality shines.
4. Capture Those Eyes. A dog’s eyes tug at potential adopters’ heartstrings! Call their name, have someone stand behind you with a squeaky toy, or let the dog see a treat in your hand. Then, bring the treat up near the camera just before you snap the picture.
5. Get Down to Their Level. Don’t shoot from above. Kneel, sit, or even lie down so you’re at the dog’s eye level—this helps capture their personality up close and personal.
6. Groom and Prep. Clean, well-groomed animals look ready for their close-up! Give a quick brush, wipe away any eye goobers, and make sure everyone (human or pet) is camera-ready.
7. Enlist a Helper with Treats and Toys. If possible, have someone help keep the animal’s attention with treats or toys. This keeps ears up, eyes bright, and expressions friendly and curious.
8. Find Great Light. Avoid fluorescent lights, which can give an odd color cast. Natural light is best; a well-lit window or a shady spot outdoors does wonders—just avoid squinting or shadowy faces.
9. Watch Out for Flash. If you must use flash, try bouncing it off a wall or have the animal look slightly away to avoid red, green, or blue eye effects.
10. Check the Background. No clutter, no awkward objects behind the animal’s head! Make sure the background is clean and free of distractions so the focus stays on the animal.
11. Edit as Needed. Basic editing can improve lighting, fix red-eye, and crop out distractions. A quick touch-up can turn a good photo into a great one.

Your photos help us find forever homes for these amazing animals. Thank you for sharing your time, heart, and camera skills with ICARE!