So you want to put Fido up on the family portrait wall. With a little planning and a fair amount of time and patience, you can get some great photographs that are definitely worth framing. So, the first order of business is to get your equipment and photography site ready. You don't want to be concerning yourself with these details during your photography session. Make sure everything is charged, enough memory cards or film, lighting is good, and let friends know you'll be unavailable for a couple hours to avoid distractions.

Recruit one or two of those friends to help you in your quest. If they have pets, offer to take pictures of their "family members" after you become a "pro", with their assistance. If it's necessary for them to hold the pet for a specific shot you really want to get, try to have them move out of the area quickly just before you snap the picture. With digital photography, it is possible to edit them out of the picture if they have to hold the pet.

Set your photography site up with your pet in mind. If you have a spunky, playful, never-still puppy, don't try photographing him sitting quietly on a pillow next to the fireplace. What you'll more than likely wind up with at the end of your photo session will be a lot of images of the puppy leaving the area and a very frustrated you. Have the setting fit the pet. If weather permits, find an outdoor location that will enhance your photographs and allow your pet's personality to shine through.

The eye is the same for your pet as it is for people. Using a flash will cause a reflection in your pet's eyes and they will appear to glow or possibly be a greenish color. The closer you are to your pet, the worse the reflection. Whenever possible, do your photography session using natural light. If it's just not possible, and you have to use a flash, the reflection can be removed from your photographs using a special pen.

Just as the child photographer may carry props in her camera case, such as the teddy bear, to make the baby laugh, you can pack your pet's favorite toys in your camera case to help get them to respond the way you want them to. If you want to get an action shot of your puppy, toss his toy and snap as many pictures as you can as he bounds after it. If you're photographing a mature dog that has been trained and try getting him to "stay" with perhaps a chew toy or a bone. Use a toy that makes noise to get his attention drawn in the direction you want him to look. Often noises can result in your pet looking puzzled or curious, which can produce some priceless photographs. Again, take as many pictures, as quickly as you can, before he decides he's movin' on.

This is also another opportunity to experiment with different lenses for different effects. So pack your camera case with your camera and accessories, throw in Fido's favorite toy and a few dog treats and head out to that beautiful lake or your backyard rose garden to get some cherished photographs to hang on that family portrait wall.