PHOTOGRAPHY
How to Capture Pawsome Videos of Your Pets
Shoot like a pro with a little help from Instagram stars (and real-life BFFs) Henry and Baloo.
The internet—and really anyone with a heart—can’t help but love Henry and Baloo. The adorable dog and cat explorers from the Henry and Baloo Instagram page (@henrythecoloradodog) currently have 2 million followers, a book and, most important, a friendship for life. How did this interspecies bromance come to be? Owner and photographer Cynthia Bennett already had Henry, the dog, before adopting Baloo, a kitten who’d been abandoned and was looking for an animal parental figure. He found one in Henry.
“Baloo copies everything Henry does,” Bennett says. “We’re pretty sure he thinks he is a dog.” And while their amazing bond took some time to develop, Bennett says they were able to connect over the important things: “They both love the outdoors and treats.” Master It wanted to ask Bennett: what are the best tips for creating heartwarming videos of pets? Luckily, she had the purrfect pointers.
Pick the right time and place
In general, pets will perform best in environments that are warm, calm and quiet. Golden hour (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) is great for direct light, but Bennett prefers shooting on cloudy days when light is softer and more varied (and there’s less of a rush to get the shot). Also, flexibility is key. Whether it’s a closed location, bad weather or just a pet having a grumpy day, you should always be ready to pivot to something new.
Arrive early to exercise and explore
The more time your pets have to get familiar with their surroundings, the more comfortable they’ll be. Plus, a little exercise will tire them out and make them more open to taking direction. As Bennett says, “Henry and Baloo know that we always run and play before we sit and stay."
Capture all the cuteness
Cynthia Bennett shares her favourite Galaxy S21 Ultra features.
Get on their level
For capturing good shots, Bennett advises coming down to the level of the pets. “Eye contact is great, but eye level is better,” she says. And don’t be afraid to lie down on the trail or get muddy. “That’s part of the fun.” If your pet is looking around at everything but the camera, try throwing a stick where you want them to look, grabbing their attention with a favourite toy or having a friend run around behind you.
Don’t forget the treats
When your pets do a good job, be sure to reward them. Affection works, but a food reward will go further. The shoot itself can be a treat and a great way to bond with your furry fam. “Don’t rush a shoot or put too much pressure on your best friend,” she says. “Having fun together is the most important thing.”
You deserve a treat too
Film every cuddly moment in high resolution with the Galaxy S21 series.
Galaxy S21 | S21+ | S21 Ultra
