How to Capture the Cutest Photo of Your Pet
Animal Chronicles
April 13, 2025
By Dan Barner
How to Capture the Cutest Photo of Your Pet
The Animal Protective Foundation’s fourth annual pet calendar photo contest is happening now, with many wonderful entries of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles and more already submitted. The winning photo will be on the cover of the 2026 Animal Protective Foundation Pet Calendar, with 12 additional category leaders gracing the 12 months, plus a collage featuring all entries.
There's still time to enter your pet’s photo and encourage your friends and family to vote. The pet calendar photo contest raises funds for Animal Protective Foundation’s critical work helping animals in need.
Are you ready to take that winning photo of your pet? Here are a few tips:
Choose a location with quality lighting. Natural light coming from a window is a great choice. If you decide to take photos outside, position yourself so that the sun is behind the camera rather than in front of it. Sufficient lighting ensures that your pet’s face can be seen well and helps avoid dark or grainy images.
Remove any potential distractions. Get rid of things both in the photo, so that it focuses on your pet, and in the general area that you are working in so that your pet is able to stay focused within frame and looking at the camera. Choose a background that isn’t too busy so that your pet remains the focal point of the photo.
Frame the shot so that your pet is not too far away. Avoid leaving too much empty space above your pet if they are lying down. Shoot from the eye level of your pet rather than standing above them. If you are using your phone, zooming in can sometimes produce a grainy photo, so test it out beforehand and adjust the distance you are shooting from as necessary.
Keep your pet happy and relaxed. This way, their ears are alert and their body language is casual. Try talking to them with a positive tone of voice or offering a treat to help encourage them to look in your direction.
Let your pet’s personality shine. If your dog has a favorite bandana, if your cat has a favorite toy, or if your pet has a favorite napping spot, embrace it and incorporate it into your photo session.
Take several shots so that you have options to choose from. Try a few different angles. Mix it up with photos of your pet playing, sitting, lying down and exploring the world.
Have fun! Your pet’s experience is always most important. A positive photo session will result in better photos today and the next time you would like to capture a special moment with your pet.
To enter the Animal Protective Foundation’s pet calendar photo contest, visit animalprotective.org/news-events. Voting ends May 5.
