This has made something very clear to me. There are too many animals roaming around without homes. Many have once had homes but were left by people who either don’t care or do not have a place for them when they move. Like cowards these people leave pets to fend for themselves. If you are thinking of buying a pet PLEASE adopt a pet instead. If you are type who thinks it is ok to discard a pet like you do trash, you better not let me catch you!

A. Pratt is a co-owner of Abby's Dog Gift Baskets. Abby's is web-based business founded on a healthy, happy, dog and dog owner. Found on the web at http://www.gift-basket4you.com

It is best to use a digital camera when you are photographing animals. With digital cameras you are not out any extra money for photos that didn’t take because Spot looked away. With a digital camera you are free to take as many pictures of your animal as you like, so snap away. You can choose best ones later, and delete rest. You have more freedom with a digital camera. You are not constrained to just a set number of pictures, and you do not have to sit and wonder if they worked while they are getting developed.

If you plan to take pictures of your pet outside, it is best to do this early in morning, or late in evening. The natural lighting is better for photographs during these periods of day. You still need to keep in mind color choices of your background. You can take a picture of your black puppy sitting on a white patio, or in front of your home if you have light colored siding, or brick. You can take a picture of your white dog in a flower bed that has black mulch, or sitting in front of a dark brick wall. Most animals can obey command of sitting. Some animals will even sit if they have a leash on, even if it is not being held. Outdoor, natural lighting works best when you want to show texture of your animal’s coat.

The expression of your dog is one of most important things you need to keep in mind when you are photographing your animal. If your animal is ill, or having a bad day, you may want to reschedule your photo session to a later time. A wet and moist looking nose is a must in all pet photos. If your pet is feeling unwell, they probably aren’t up for their photo being taken. If your breed of pet should have perky ears, and they are laying down because pet is not as cheery as usual, you should postpone your picture taking, as well. You should never take a picture of your pet if they have runny eyes due to an infection. Wait until your pet is doctored and feeling more like their cheery, upbeat self.

You can take action shots of your pet. Does your pet like to catch frisbee’s or herd sheep? To capture your pet in action you must learn what photographers term “panning.” The key to panning is to follow along with your pet as they are moving. You need to click away capturing them throughout their activity. You can choose a film that is made for action shots to get good results.

You know your pet and what excites them. Does your pet like to stand on two feet and beg for a certain toy, or treat? If so, then get someone to assist you during this photo. They can interact with dog while you snap pictures. These shots are great ways of showing personality of your dog. Does your dog like to tilt its head when it hears a certain noise? Then be ready to capture their photo while your assistant provides noise. Does your dog like to hide in shrubs, or get playful with a ball? You can also capture these types of photos if you are tuned in and ready with your camera.

Photographs are a great way of preserving beauty and personality of an animal. Just keep in mind back ground color, and try to photograph your pet for still shots when they are well fed and somewhat sleepy. If you photograph outside, try to arrange your photo time in morning or late evening hours, and don’t take their pictures directly facing sun. Make sure your pet is feeling physically well so that their personality can be captured, and if you use a digital camera you won’t have to worry about wasting film. If you take action shots, practice panning technique. If your pet performs tricks, enlist aid of a helper and photograph your animal performing. Photographs will be around forever, and if you do them correctly they can reveal a lot about your pet. Take your cues from your animal and you will have wonderful photographs every time.