Must-Have Pet Photography Lighting Equipment
Animals can be tricky to photograph, and require a lot of patience as they can easily get distracted or move, which can ruin shots or prevent images from being sharp. In addition to having a camera with a quick adjusting focus, you'll need some essential photography lighting and backdrop equipment that can make photographing animals a little easier.
Flash Lighting
Tip: Lighting can be intimidating for animals, especially when using flash as it appears suddenly, and it can produce sharp noises, so it is essential to acquaint them with the equipment so they can relax and become comfortable before shooting.
The AD600Pro Is a battery-powered strobe flash that allows you to adjust the intensity of the light down to 1/256 of its total power in increments for photographing for small and large pets with varying depth of field. The short flash duration of 1/10,000th of a second, along with recycling times of less than a second, provide sharper images without lag.
The flash also comes with high-speed sync, providing ultimate control over lighting to ensure the subject is not over or underexposed. These features make it perfect for pet photography, making it easy to capture sharp images, even during treat-catch or action shots! AD600s can be used in the studio or even on location thanks to it's battery. The PIKA200 Pro is also a popular 200w battery flash option, or check out the LUMI400 MKII for a mains powered studio flash option.
Jess McGovern of That Photography Spot often uses AD600Pro strobes for studio dog photography! Check out one of her tutorial videos below for Butterfly lighting with just one AD600Pro:
Continuous Lighting
Flash lighting, while the best option as it can help you freeze your image, doesn't always allow you to get an idea of what the final shot will look like. Continuous lighting such as fluorescent lighting or LEDs come in handy in this case, and they also have the benefit of being easier for animals to adapt to if they struggle with flashing lights.
The PIXAPRO LED S120BII Pro is a LED continuous light for studio
use that provides a power output of 120W, and it is an energy-efficient option as it uses 1/3rd of the energy required for fluorescent lighting. The S120B is exceptionally quiet due to the silent cooling fan, making it ideal for shooting pets that are easily distracted, and can be powered by mains, or by battery if you'd prefer cable-free shooting.
The bi-colour light also provides a colour temperature between 3000K-6500K to provide warm and cool undertones while maintaining colour intensity as it has a CRI and TLCI of 95.
Modifiers
Harsh lighting does nothing to flatter pets as it can cause glare and excessive shine if the animal has a shiny coat, ruining the look of fur. It can also cause harsh shadows, so it is essential to use modifiers to control and soften the light in any setup.
The PIXAPRO 150cm Large Umbrella Softbox is an ideal modifier for introducing layers of diffusion to soften the lighting without significantly dimming the setup. The umbrella softbox is portable and easy to set up, while the reflective silver interior ensures the diffused light is reflected to the set, and the black exterior prevents light spill.
The 8-sided round shape also assists in producing a flattering round catchlight in your pet's eyes which helps them appear full of life. Similar circular modifiers that will help to produce this effect are the 16-sided PiXAPRO Rice Bowl Softboxes which come in 65cm and 105cm sizes and are more suitable for location shooting due to their smaller size.
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This modifier produces a natural-looking light to produce softer shadows. Plus, use the honeycomb grid to add additional focus to the diffused light for producing images that capture the soft and fun-loving side of different pets.
Lighting Kits
If you're looking for fuss-free lighting, there are kits available that make the selection process simpler, and they are specifically assembled to capture the best angle of different animals.
The PIXAPRO PIKA200 PRO Mobile Pet Photography Kit is a great option for
shooting on the go at client's houses. The kit
is extremely lightweight yet powerful as the PIKA200 PRO Flash provides 200Ws of power, which produces 500 flashes power charge along with quick flash durations and recycle time.
The kit also comes with a 90cm Softbox that is easy to set up and features a reflective silver interior and black exterior to optimize light diffusion. There is also a light stand that can achieve a maximum and minimum height of 240cm and 79cm, respectively, for photographing pets of different sizes. The stand is protected by an air cushion layer that prevents any injuries on set. The 5-in-1 reflector can be used to produce different colour effects depending on the type of shoot you are conducting while eliminating shadows or dark spots.
The LUMI200 Three Head Pet Portrait kit is better suited to photography studios and close-up images of pets as it comes with three 200W flashes that have an LCD to adjust the intensity of the light. The LUMI 200 comes with a flash duration of up to 1/2000th of a second and recycle time of just over a second.
The kit also comes with a 60cm beauty dish that can produce software light without compromising on image detail and depth. The beauty dish also provides a natural and warm tone light that flatters most pets. It comes with a two-layered diffuser and honeycomb grid to provide additional control over the light intensity. The 60x90cm Softbox is also easy to set up, and it can be used to diffuse the key light to provide additional focus on the pet being photographed.
Backgrounds
The background can set the creative direction of any set, and it can be used to add to the personality and character of the pet as the colour and texture of the backdrop can make the pet stand out by providing a contrast. Bright colours are often popular for pets, especially dogs, as this can help to compliment a dog's excitable personality.
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The PiXAPRO 2x4m Dual-Sided Vinyl Backdrop Can be used for different pet photoshoots as it features an ultra-matte finish that reduces reflections and glares. The material can also withstand wear and tear if it has an unfortunate encounter with a pet as it is created from vinyl. The backdrop has a width of 2.7m and length of 4m, making it suitable for pets of different sizes, and it comes in versatile colours, including black and white, which can make the subject appear more prominent.
Or, choose from a selection of 13 Colour Paper Backdrops. These 10m long rolls are great for mucky paws, as they can easily be trimmed when scratched or if they get dirty. Plus, due to the proper dye technique of the paper fibres, any scratches on the paper won't show any white inner paper, as the colours are dyed all the way through and not printed! Perfect for in case any claws get caught on the paper.
Looking for some more advice on equipment to purchase for your pet photography? Contact our team at info@essentialphoto.co.uk and our advisors will be able to recommend some equipment to suit your shooting style! 
