…Because your pet deserves more than 437 blurry photos of their tail.
Let’s be honest. Your phone is already packed with photos of your dog sleeping in 17 slightly different positions or your cat looking mildly offended that you exist. But every now and then, they do something so adorable that it deserves a photo worthy of more than disappearing into your camera roll forever.
The good news? You don’t need an expensive camera or photography degree. Modern smartphones are incredibly capable, and with a few simple tricks, you can capture photos you’ll genuinely want to print, frame and show off (whether your friends asked or not).
Here are our favourite tips for taking amazing pet photos using nothing more than your phone.
The biggest mistake most people make? Standing over their pet.
Instead, crouch, kneel or even lie on the floor (yes, even if the dog has just rolled in something questionable). Shooting at eye level instantly makes your photos feel more personal and engaging, helping viewers connect with your pet.
Bonus: You’ll capture much more personality than another photo looking down at the top of their head.
Natural light is your best friend.
If you’re indoors, position your pet near a large window. Outdoors, cloudy days or the hour after sunrise and before sunset (known as “golden hour”) create lovely soft light that flatters every furry face.
Try to avoid harsh midday sunshine, which creates strong shadows, and skip the flash whenever possible—it can startle pets and often produces glowing demon eyes that even Halloween wouldn’t approve of.
People say the eyes are the window to the soul. Pet owners know they’re also the quickest way to melt your heart.
On most phones, simply tap your pet’s eyes on the screen before taking the photo. This tells your camera exactly where to focus, making the image look instantly sharper and more professional.
Even if their ears or tail are slightly soft, crisp eyes make all the difference.
This might be the easiest photography tip you’ll ever hear.
Your phone spends its life in pockets, bags and hands, collecting fingerprints and dust. Even a tiny smudge can make your photos look hazy.
A quick wipe with a clean microfibre cloth—or even your t-shirt in a pinch—can dramatically improve image quality.
It’s amazing how many “bad cameras” are actually just dirty lenses.
Trying to photograph zoomies? Good luck…
Instead of tapping once and hoping for the best, use Burst Mode (available on most smartphones). Hold the shutter button (or follow your phone’s burst shortcut) to capture a rapid sequence of photos.
You’ll end up with dozens of images—but chances are one will perfectly capture the flying ears, wagging tail or spectacular mid-air leap.
And yes, you’ll probably also get one where their tongue looks like it’s trying to escape.
A beautiful pet deserves centre stage.
Before taking the photo, have a quick look behind them. Washing baskets, garden bins, TV remotes and last week’s takeaway boxes all have an uncanny ability to sneak into otherwise lovely pictures.
Moving your pet—or simply changing your angle by a step or two—can make a huge difference.
A clean background keeps all the attention where it belongs.
Professional pet photographers have a secret weapon…
Actually, several.
Treats, favourite toys, squeaky balls or making the most ridiculous noises imaginable can all grab your pet’s attention for those priceless head tilts.
Don’t overdo it though—after repeating the same squeak 37 times, even the most enthusiastic Labrador starts questioning your life choices.
If you can safely move closer, do that instead.
Digital zoom simply crops the image, reducing detail and making photos appear softer.
Walking a little closer keeps your photos sharper and captures more of the tiny details that make your pet unique—like whiskers, nose texture or those wonderfully wonky ears.
The best pet photos aren’t always perfectly posed.
Maybe it’s your dog carrying a stick twice their size.
Your cat squeezed into a box that clearly defies physics.
Or your rabbit pulling the exact expression of someone who’s just remembered they left the oven on.
Those little everyday moments often become the photos you treasure most because they capture who your pet really is.
You don’t need fancy editing software.
The built-in editing tools on your phone can work wonders with just a few small tweaks:
The aim isn’t to make your pet look like they’ve had a magazine makeover—just to help the photo match what your eyes actually saw.
Less is definitely more.
Once you’ve tried these tips, you’ll almost certainly come away with a few photos that make you smile every time you see them.
So don’t leave your favourites hidden among thousands of screenshots, shopping lists and accidental pocket photos.
Instead, give them a place where they’ll be seen every day. At Print Your Memory you can turn your favourite pet photo into a stunning metal print that’s built to last. Available in a range of sizes and shapes, there’s something to suit every home, every style and every larger-than-life pet personality.
After all, your best memories deserve more than a swipe through your camera roll; they deserve a place on the wall.
Because while muddy paw prints eventually disappear… the memories never should.
