How to Shoot your Pet

Photographer Tim Flach takes some of the most original, stunning, weird, and whimsical photos of dogs (and other creatures) we've seen, and obviously has an eye for drama and juxtaposition as well as the superb technical skill required to deliver his vision. We can't all be brilliant pet portraitists with years of experience and professional equipment, but most of us would love to capture a few great photos of our beloved beasties. Here are a couple of down-to-earth, useful guides to help you shoot your pet: 9 Pet Photography Tips; How to Photograph Pets. My own best advice in a nutshell is: be relaxed, try out new positions and settings, keep the light behind or to the side of you, and shoot a lot. At some point serendipity meets patience, and magic can happen!

(If you're hungry for more Tim Flach-flavored inspiration, look for his photo book, "Dogs," coming out in October.)