15 Christmas pet photo ideas (dogs, cats and the tree)

Pets make the best Christmas photos and the hardest ones. Three things help: get down to their eye level, hold a treat right above the lens so they look at the camera, and shoot in bursts so you catch the one sharp frame. Do it by the tree with the room lights off and you are most of the way there.

Dogs

1. The scarf portrait. A red or plaid scarf, sitting by the tree, at 2x from the dog's eye level. The tree lights blur behind.

2. Under the tree. Lying among wrapped presents.

3. The head tilt. Make a strange noise just before you shoot.

4. Opening a present. Dogs love tearing paper. Wrap a toy loosely and let them go. Burst mode.

5. Snow zoomies. If you have snow, shoot from low as they run.

6. Sleeping by the fire. Quiet, warm and always works.

7. The family with the dog in the middle.

Cats

8. Cat in the gift box. Put an empty box near the tree and wait.

9. Batting an ornament. Hang a plastic ornament low (not glass) and shoot a burst.

10. In the tree. If your cat climbs, you will get this one whether you want it or not.

11. Wrapped in a blanket by the window.

Both

12. Matching stockings. The pet lying next to its own stocking with its name.

13. Santa hat (briefly). Only if your pet tolerates it, for a few seconds, with lots of treats.

14. Paws and presents. A close-up of paws next to a bow.

15. The Christmas card. See Christmas card photo ideas.

Tips for pet photos

• Eye level. Lie on the floor. Photos from above make pets look small.
• Treat above the lens. Their eyes follow it straight into the camera.
• 2x lens. Flatters faces and blurs busy rooms.
• Burst mode. Swipe the shutter button to the left and hold; pets move constantly.
• Short sessions. Five minutes, then a break. Calm pets photograph better.
• Safety first. No real candles nearby, no glass ornaments within reach, and no costumes that stress them.

The One-Point Vertex guide puts a single subject on a grid point with space around it, which suits a pet by the tree.

Frame the furry ones

slay overlays composition guides on your live iPhone camera and tracks your subject, so you can frame the shot while you hold the treat.

Get slay on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6807513456?utm_source=slaycamera&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=christmas-pet-photo-ideas