How do you handle photographing shy pets? Treats, cuddles, comforting words, playtime, in other words a distraction that works for that individual animal. I have some personal practice with this situation, as my own Posh was once afraid of my big camera. Obviously, having her picture taken often has pretty much cured her of that. Meanwhile, my mom’s dog, Lady, is very uncomfortable with my big lenses, and really detests any sort of flash. She is a very shy dog who doesn’t adapt to change very well, but my mother has done a great job of bringing her out of her shell. Lady is a smart dog who enjoys agility and frisbee catching. Fortunately, when you have a frisbee in your hand (or if I have someone near to me with a frisbee) her troubled expressions melt away. Here are some shy photos of Lady, and one of her running around that shows the difference. I will take the time, if your pet is shy, to find a way to make him or her feel more comfortable around me or the camera.
This is a photo of my maternal grandfather and his dog, Sarge. Stories of Sarge and his devotion to his boy were told lovingly to me over and over by my great-grandmother Elva. Great-grandma would tell me how she would walk with Sarge across town to have coffee with the ladies. Sarge would walk her to the friend’s doorstop and she would tell him to “wait.” Many hours later, Grandma would come out of the house to find Sarge waiting exactly where she had left him.
