Taking top quality photos of our pets can be a challenge. Even the latest smart phones with advanced camera technology are often no match for a squirming puppy, shy dog or grumpy kitty. The photos come out blurry. Or they’re too dark or overexposed. When we do manage to get our pets in focus with decent lighting, they’re facing away from the camera or they look tense and nervous.
Well, no worries because help for taking better pet photos is on the way. Renowned photographer Vince Verrecchio is coming to the Aiken County Animal Shelter this Saturday, Feb. 4, to share his tips for taking great animal photos. His free demonstration will start at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.
Verrecchio is an award-winning photographer who has had his work published in countless publications. He founded a highly successful advertising firm and has been a professional shutterbug for more than 55 years. He currently volunteers his time to take photos of homeless dogs and cats at the County Shelter, which are promoted on FOTAS’s social media platforms to help get them adopted to loving homes.
In advance of this Saturday’s event, we sat down with Verrecchio and asked him some questions about pet photography:
What is the biggest mistake people make when they take photos of their pets?
Impatience. People don’t take enough time. They just take a snapshot and they’re done. You’re not going to get a good photo that way. You need to talk to your pet and relax them. If you rush the photo, the body language of the dog or cat is not going to be positive. People also tend to frame the pet too far away. You want to capture the pet’s personality and focus on their eyes. So, you want to get up close.
Can you teach anyone to be a good photographer?
Yes, anyone with patience and attention to detail. They also need to be flexible in their thinking and have a willingness to improve. You can’t teach people to be an artist, but you can teach them to practice greater creativity.
What elements make for a good photograph?
I call them the six C’s of a good eye. The six ‘C’s are applicable to any photography whether it be of products, events, landscapes, people or animals. The C’s are: concept, content, composition, color, contrast and crop.
What drives your passion for photography and desire to share your knowledge with people?
Photography helps me stop time and make sense of the world. It captures a moment we can keep with us. Plus, photography is a great way for me to exercise my creativity. That’s my sense of purpose. I consider it a gift I’ve received, and I want to share it with others.
To reserve a spot at Vince Verrecchio’s pet photo tip session this Saturday afternoon at the County Animal Shelter. 333 Wire Road, please email info@fotasaiken.org.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
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