How to Become an Animal Photographer

Becoming an animal photographer can be a fun and rewarding career. Whether you choose to photograph pets, livestock or any variety of animals, there are a few things to consider before you become an animal photographer.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Learn photography skills! Practice on fast moving subjects. Photographing young children, sports events and your own pets will help prepare you for the fast moving action of many animals. Becoming an animal photographer means that you have perfected your photography skills.

2. Use a fast shutter speed on your camera. Set your camera to catch the scene quickly, since animals can be unpredictable. Animal photographers need to capture that special moment, even if it only lasts for a portion of a second.

3. Spend time around animals. Decide which types of animals you feel comfortable round. Becoming a livestock photographer requires comfort around cattle, hogs and even bison. Animals can detect fear, so be sure you feel secure around the types of animals you wish to photograph.

4. Learn about the risks of animal photography. Getting injured is a real possibility when working with animals. Bites from nervous pets or kicks from livestock animals are not uncommon. Contracting common pet ailments such as ringworm, mites and fleas is also a job hazard.

5. Get business insurance. Broken camera equipment will stop your animal photography in its tracks. Accidents can happen, even when working with fun loving pets. A loose pup may tip over your lighting equipment or urinate on your camera bag. Be prepared and insure all your equipment, yourself and the subjects being photographed.

6. Promote your services. Talk to local veterinarians, livestock farmers, zoos, breeders and animal sanctuaries. If your animal photography is clear, crisp and shows the animal in its best light, you can make a living from being an animal photographer. To be successful and keep a constant flow of business going, keep looking for different resources that will need animal photography.

7. Present your photographs. Inquire at local art galleries, coffee shops and send clips to magazines. Show off your animal photographs to gain more exposure. By showing off what you can do, you may sell that piece of artwork or get hired for a special project.

Tips & Warnings

• Becoming an animal photographer can be rewarding. Photographs that will outlast the life of a pet can become sentimental pieces of artwork that the pets owner will cherish for years to come.
• Animal photography can be dangerous. When working with livestock wear protective clothing such as steel toe boots. Carry a cell phone and first aid kit. Never work alone, in case of an emergency.