The lighting is perfect. The wind is just right. The Santa hat is balanced beautifully. The camera is ready, and your finger is itching to snap the shutter. Taking cute Christmas pet pictures is SO EASY!
All the elements have come together perfectly to create a beautiful portrait of your best friend. Hang on, the model is licking his unmentionables again. Now he’s scratching. He just noticed a bird – and he’s off!
Sound familiar? Taking a good pet photo is practically an extreme sport.
Before we jump into the tips that can make the process smoother, it’s important to keep safety in mind first.
Festive décor – like tinsel, ribbons and small ornaments – can pose a risk if chewed or swallowed, and flashing lights or unfamiliar sounds can be overwhelming for some pets.
Make sure the space is calm, clear of hazards, and that your pet has room to move comfortably. If your pet shows signs of discomfort or stress, take a break.
And if you’re concerned your pet may have eaten something unsafe, contact your vet ASAP.
In this article
1. Patience is a virtue when pets are involved
We bet Kate Moss has never been thaaat excited to see a photographer. But pets love to explore, and they get excited when they see their favourite human. It’s hard for them to strike a pose when you’re that close. All they want to do is come for some love and scratches!
Grab your pet’s favourite blanket and toys for the pet photoshoot. Make sure that your pooch or kitty is comfortable and calm before you take on the role of pup-arazzi.
While you’re setting things up, just make sure the area’s clear of anything they could trip on or chew – tinsel, loose cords and gift ribbon are some of the usual troublemakers at this time of year.
Also, taking cute pet pictures is an art, not a science. It might take a few minutes, so be patient with your poser.
2. Get your camera settings juuust right
While you wait for your model to get ready for their shoot, make sure that your camera’s ready to roll. Taking pet pictures requires your camera to be set up properly. So, you can capture the furkids’ best side, obviously.
Here’s where the extreme sport photography comes in. We suggest that you use a fast shutter speed (1/250), continuous focus and burst mode for your pet pics. It will capture any movement purr-fectly.
You’ve got to be quick with those pet photos so that you capture the pet-friendly reindeer ears and safe, pet-appropriate festive props in all their glory!
If you’re using a phone, it’s best to switch the flash and camera noise off as it might frighten your pet. It could also potentially hurt their retina, plus it can result in creepy reflective eyes.
3. Get the right angle for taking pet pictures
Get down to eye level with your pet when you’re taking their picture, so the lens can see the world through their eyes and highlight their beauty.
Using natural light will bring out the colour of their eyes. Then you can gaze into them in real life and in pet photos.
To really make those puppy dog eyes pop, make sure the camera focuses on the eyes by using single point autofocus area and moving the focal point over one of the pet’s eyes.
TIP: Never take a picture of your pet from high above or below. It flattens their form. And if you’re getting down to their level, clear the space first.
Pets can move suddenly, and you don’t want them bumping into anything that could topple over.
4. Get that four-legged model’s attention
It’s not like you can tell them to say “cheese!” or ask them to look directly into the lens. Well, you could…but it’d likely result in nothing. That only works on the human kids. Sometimes.
That’s why it’s important to catch your furkid’s attention in other ways. Snap your fingers, call their name, get a squeaky toy to do the hard work, or tempt them with a healthy treat.
Why a healthy treat? It might not be very festive but check out our blog on diabetes in dogs and cats to understand more.
And while you’re at it, make sure you’ve read up about Christmas dinner and pets so you know what toxic treats to avoid giving them this festive season.
Back to getting their attention when you’re taking the pet pictures, here’s a tip: Dogs are known to respond to cat sounds; cats are known to ignore, well, almost everything. Cat owners will know this already.
Maybe try doing a silly dance or opening a tin of tuna?
5. Frame the best one
Don’t be shy with taking cute pet pictures this Christmas. Go wild and snap away until you’re satisfied that your pet photoshoot has been a success.
Make sure that you’ve got at least a dozen pet photos or so that you loooove. Then you just have to choose your favourites for framing!
Remember that the job’s not done until you’ve rewarded your pawed poser. They’ve worked long and hard for their modelling debut. Surely, they deserve a treat?
If you’re looking for tips on keeping your pet happy, healthy and well cared for this holiday season, here are a few helpful reads (and some fun quizzes too):
- QUIZ: Find Your Dog the Perfect Christmas Present
- 5 Christmas Dog Treat Recipes That Are Totally Pawsome
- QUIZ: Find Your Festive Film Pet Personality
- Ethical Christmas Gifts for Pets: Your Guide
- Christmas Dangers for Pets: Watch Out!
Taking pet pictures FAQs
It’s normal to take several photos, especially since pets tend to move unpredictably.
Using burst mode allows you to capture multiple frames in a second, and you can simply choose your favourites afterward. This takes pressure off both you and your pet.
Most pets are easier to photograph when they’re calmer, like after a walk or play session.
That said, energetic photos can be fun too – you’ll just need faster shutter speeds and a bit more patience.
Choose whichever approach best suits your pet’s personality.
If your pet seems worried, the priorities are safety and comfort, not the photo.
Try:
– Giving them time and space to get used to the camera or phone
– Keeping sessions short
– Removing any props or items that may be adding to the stress
– Letting them stay in a familiar, quiet environment
If they still seem uncomfortable, it’s best to skip the shoot.
You’re not alone. Plenty of pet parents on Reddit confess they can’t get a single non-blurry photo of their furkid – so yes, turning to AI for a portrait has become a surprisingly common workaround.
AI tools can take an everyday snapshot (even one that’s not picture-perfect) and turn it into a stylised pet portrait, whether you’re using something like Canva, Google’s AI Studio or Leonardo.Ai. It’s a fun option if your furkid refuses to sit still long enough for the real thing.
If you do go this route, only upload photos you’re comfortable sharing. It’s also worth reviewing your selected AI platform’s privacy terms, so you’re aware of how your images and information may be handled.
For many pets, yes. Candid photos capture pets while they’re relaxed and doing something natural – playing, resting, or exploring.
These moments can produce some of the most genuine, cute and stress-free pictures, especially for sensitive pets.
Pet insurance – the gift that keeps on giving
Nailed taking those cute pet pictures? Great! Now here’s something else that deserves a spot on your festive checklist… pet insurance to help pay for non-routine vet bills.
Whether Charlie has swallowed a Christmas tree decoration or gotten food poisoning from Christmas mince pies, you never know when they might need emergency treatment. Of course, even though accidental ingestion is a top claim for pets, there are many others that range from illness to dental issues.
Take a couple of minutes to grab a quick no-obligation quote for our hassle-free pet insurance. PLUS, you can get one 1 MONTH FREE when you sign up.