Animals

Adapt To Their Surroundings

Capture the charm and personality of animals with your phone by mastering the art of pet and wildlife photography!

Atlanta, Georgia: The graceful movement of the jellyfish’s tentacles is captured perfectly through the glass by pressing the mobile phone lens directly against the pane—eliminating any gap to avoid flare and reflections.

Understanding your camera's modes and settings can make all the difference—use burst mode to snap the perfect action shot, or portrait mode to create beautifully blurred backgrounds that highlight your subject.

Bjóveigur, Iceland: A few horses pause for a quick photo, their heads gently angled toward one another—creating a natural symmetry that enhances the overall composition.

Adjust exposure to ensure fur details stand out, and explore macro mode for stunning close-ups of tiny features like whiskers or feathers.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: This four-eyed turtle paused just long enough for a photo through the aquarium glass. Since we can’t control our subjects—or their surroundings—there happened to be a piece of paper in the foreground. But don’t worry! Head over to our Edits & Effects section to see how we easily removed the distraction to create the cleaner image you see above.

Patience and creativity are key, and with the right techniques, your phone becomes the perfect tool for capturing animals in all their natural beauty and quirky moments!

Tasmania, Australia: With a little patience and careful timing, we were able to perfectly frame this curious kangaroo alongside his companion at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. The moment captures not only their relaxed posture but also the peaceful atmosphere of this special place dedicated to protecting Australia’s native wildlife.

By combining these techniques with features like Burst Mode, you can capture stunning photos of animals, whether they’re your pets at home or wildlife in nature.

New York, New York: By gently pressing the phone lens against the glass, this bird was captured in a way that softens the overall image. The result is a quiet, almost painterly moment taken inside New York’s Central Park Zoo, with minimal glare or reflection.

Experiment with different lighting styles for your animal photos—try backlighting for glowing outlines, soft light for gentle tones, or harsh light to highlight textures and details.

Meet Kuddles: This playful pup strikes a pose during bath time! With natural light streaming in from the window behind, the photo takes on a soft, glowing mood that adds warmth and charm—while still keeping the fun, lighthearted feel.

Natural environments and poses work best. Typically, only patience is required to capture personality-filled photos of animals that truly bring them to life.

Ephesus, Turkey: A stray cat basks comfortably on a ledge, perfectly at home amidst the ancient historic ruins and plethora of tourists.

Close-Up or Food Mode can help capture incredible, unexpected features. These types of images remind us to appreciate the diversity of the animal kingdom.

Hiroshima, Japan: A curious goldfish swims right up to the edge of the lake in the Shukkeien Gardens—seemingly to say hello with its Dr. Suess like mouth - creating a memorable moment. Captured in Food or Close Up mode, as a traditional lens would not have done his personality justice!

Chattanooga, Tennessee: The distinctive, pig-like nose of the highly endangered Malaysian painted river terrapin is best captured using Food or Close-Up mode as well. Because of the shallow depth of field, there’s a high chance of focus issues—so we took several shots through the glass before landing on a winner.

Tips for Taking Amazing Photos of Animals with Your Smartphone

🐾 Get on Their Level
Just like with children, shooting from eye level creates a more intimate and engaging portrait of your pet or wildlife subject.

🔕 Use Silent Shutter Mode
Turn off the shutter sound in your camera settings to avoid startling your subject.

📸 Use Burst Mode for Action Shots
Animals move fast! Burst Mode helps capture the perfect moment, whether it’s a dog running, a cat pouncing, or a bird in flight.

👀 Focus on the Eyes
The eyes express personality and emotion. Tap on the screen to ensure sharp focus on the animal’s eyes for a more compelling shot.

🌞 Use Natural Light
Outdoor light, especially during golden hour, enhances fur texture and keeps colors vibrant. Avoid flash—it can startle animals or cause red-eye.

📏 Get Close, but Respect Distance
If it’s a pet, move in closer for detailed shots. For wildlife, use zoom or a telephoto lens to keep a safe distance while capturing detail. (If your phone has a telephoto lens, use it instead of digital zoom for better quality.)

🎭 Capture Their Personality
Whether it’s a dog tilting its head, a cat lounging in the sun, or a horse mid-gallop, focus on moments that showcase their unique character.

🎬 Capture Candid Moments
Photograph animals engaged in natural behavior—playing, hunting, or sleeping—for authentic and interesting photos.

📷 Try Portrait Mode for Pets
On newer smartphones, Portrait Mode blurs the background, making your pet stand out in sharp detail.

⏳ Be Patient and Observe
Animals are unpredictable! Let them move naturally and wait for the perfect expression or action.

🍖 Use Treats or Sounds to Get Their Attention
A toy, treat, or whistle can help direct their gaze. Just be quick—animals lose interest fast!

🌅 Experiment with Silhouettes
Capture animals as silhouettes against a sunset or bright background for dramatic, artistic shots.

🔎 Highlight Unique Textures and Details
Zoom in on feathers, fur, whiskers, or paws to create beautiful abstract or close-up shots.

🎯 Use Continuous Auto Focus
Enable continuous autofocus (AF-C) if available, to keep moving animals in sharp focus.

🎨 Edit for Impact
Adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness to enhance details while keeping the natural beauty intact.

⚙️ For Advanced Users, Try Pro Mode
Adjust ISO, shutter speed, and other settings for better control. Use a faster shutter speed to freeze motion and avoid blur with fast-moving animals.

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