Much of the same principles apply towards photographing animals as it does towards humans. Keep these basic principles in mind as you photograph animals:

1) Eye contact is important, but not always necessary. In some instances, a pose with eye contact with an animal works. In my opinion, this type of pose is equivalent to a traditional, formal type of portraiture. When the pose works, the body position is natural and shows the full-body. From head to toe and from the animal's nose to the tip of his tail, we should be able to visually appreciate the form and beauty of the photographed animal.

2) The surrounding setting is important too. If there are two background textures and tones which complement the animal, this would be perfect! In this way, the animal and setting (the background) contain visual unity.

3) Use your flash outdoors. The camera's flash fills in shadows and enhances the appearance of humans, as well as animals. Take a flash photograph, and look for the shadows on the animal's body; look at the shadows underneath him too. Now, take another photograph without the flash, now look at where the shadows are. Part of the face will probably be darkened and the shadows are in different places. This is one way of telling if flash was used or not. The shadows tell us about the form and shape of an object. Shadows can add beauty to forms.

4) Viewpoint perspectives can make or break a photograph. Shooting down on an animal could work while maintaining eye contact, if the animal is not straining his neck to look up at the camera. Make sure the pose of the animal is not disturbing to look at―the animal should look true to form and natural.

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

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