Our dogs are such endearing and faithful companions that we love every moment we spend with them until their last days. We love petting, playing and taking pictures, and that shouldn’t change just because they’ve reached their golden years. It’s a time to celebrate all the good times. Once you’ve taken these gorgeous glamorous snaps, upload them and share them with your friends and pet mates.
If you’ve never used social media before or aren’t sure how to capture the glory of your furry friends, know that we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll talk about the secrets to taking great photos. Plus, how to share them online and steps to stay safe in the process.
Taking pictures during the golden years
Once your pet is out there in the years, you may need to think differently about how you take their photos. The good news is that while they may take a little longer to get around, they’ll still love you and want to show you affection, so you’ll still have those dog and cat smiles. The important thing is that you go at their pace. You may want to put your pet in a specific pose or catch them playing in the yard. However, don’t get impatient if they get tired or don’t stay exactly the way you want.
Although you want to get great photos of your pet, resist the urge to not take pictures until everything is 100% perfect. You just never know how much time you have left with your furry friend. Even if you have to use your smartphone to take photos instead of a professional photographer, they will remain unforgettable. Sometimes the spontaneous moments are the most precious.
If you have a disabled pet, you may need to be a little strategic for the photo shoot. For example, blind or deaf pets may find it difficult to focus on the camera. At least long enough to take a picture. So, to get their attention, hold a treat in front of their face and point it at the camera so they’re looking where they should. Then give your pet the treat for a job well done. Try to avoid bright lights, especially if your pet has cataracts.
Whatever you do, you just have to try to have fun during the photo shoot. Take photos as your pet goes through their usual routine. If they have a special toy they play with every day, take the pictures because you’ll see them the happiest. Does your dog like to spend his time in the garden? If so, take the photos there to avoid an uncomfortable or unfortunate situation. Play it by ear, and don’t take it too seriously, and you’ll get some great shots.
Once you have a collection of photos, start sorting them on your phone for imminent upload to social media. There are many social websites to consider for bonding your pet, and you can post photos to some or all of them. Some of the best social media sites provide a great platform for animal photos.
For example, Instagram is for photos and videos, so you know you’ll be posting for people who like to see that type of media. You can’t go wrong with Facebook either. With over 3 billion monthly users, this social media is getting a lot of attention and many pet owners are in attendance. You can even join groups dedicated to your type of pet. If you prefer to share videos of your pup, YouTube is the place to go because audiences go there looking for fun and cute animal videos.
While posting photos online is fun, it comes with risks, especially from hackers and cybercriminals. Without the proper password protection, hackers can initiate an account takeover. This is when the criminal can take over your profile and shut it down or post illegitimate messages on your behalf. So make a good password your top priority.
Avoid using simple passwords that include your name, pet’s name, street name, or other common knowledge, or hackers might find them. Instead, create a unique passphrase pattern. It is a combination of letters and numbers or a string of words that would be almost impossible for a stranger to guess. Even if you use a complicated passphrase, change it regularly so hackers can’t find out.
Go to the next level
Some owners have a simple desire. They just want to take pictures of their pet and upload them online just to preserve them over time. In this case, you can add them, enjoy them occasionally and avoid worrying about sharing them on the web. However, some people choose to take their senior pet love to the next level and try to make it a viral sensation.
Remember, this isn’t a guarantee, but if you want to try and make your pet famous, start with smart hashtags. When you post on these social media sites, you can add hashtags to your photos to attract a niche or larger customer base. Examples include #pet, #petstagram, #lovepets, #exoticpets, and more. Add them to your photos and you might gain more traction. Of course, if you want only your friends and family to see your pet, just add them as friends or followers and mark the photos as private for anyone.
In trying to make a splash with your pet, you join many other pet stars who have rocked the internet over the years. People love the idea of rooting for pets of all ages. There’s something endearing about a dog in his golden years smiling at the camera. Don’t force it. Let your pet be himself. Let their character shine through and people will notice.
There are plenty of photo ideas out there to try to keep your audience engaged. For example, when in doubt, jump into the picture with them! Don’t worry about how photogenic you think you are or not. Instead, walk in and take pictures where you hold your pet or play with it and its favorite toy. Who knows, you might also become a viral sensation.
Conclusion
The point is, you should celebrate your beloved pet, regardless of their age or current circumstances. They still love you to death, and it’s essential that you preserve the memories of your faithful companion for years to come. Consider these tips and your pet’s memory may stay online forever.
Guest author:
Charlie Flecher
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer and pet parent from the charming “city of trees” – Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing goes hand in hand with her passion for animal rights and her search for truth. You can find more of his writings on his content.
