To get a photo of Fido that will make even your animal-averse friends say "awww," drop to your pet's level and get close to him, "so that you fill the frame with his face and not the floor," says pet photographer David Sutton of Sutton Studios in Evanston, Ill. He suggests taking the picture at Rover's eye level or slightly above in order to get a great mug shot.

"Sometimes, the best photos are those that display a dog's goofy antics, so don't be afraid to pull out a squeaky toy or make silly noises in order to get your pet to respond!"" says Sutton. ""Also, keep in mind the color of your backdrop," he warns.
Since a white cat or dog can blend into a light-colored wall, pose your pal against a contrasting background.

Finally, remember that not even animals are immune to the redy-eye effect. "Turn off the flash and go where a light source comes from the side in order to avoid getting a reflection," says Sutton. Bright light reflecting off Snowball's retina can make your sweet kitty look positively diabolical.