Take a Photo of Your Pet in Action
Take a clear action photo of your pet using a camera or phone, experiment with angles and timing, and safely encourage movement with treats.
About this activity
Take a clear action photo of your pet using a camera or phone, experiment with angles and timing, and safely encourage movement with treats.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Ask an adult to help you with this photo activity.
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Step 2
Lay the plain towel or blanket on the floor to make a clean background.
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Step 3
Bring your pet into the quiet safe room with the adult's help.
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Step 4
Put the treats and the favorite toy within easy reach but do not give them yet.
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Step 5
Open the camera app on your device.
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Step 6
Switch the camera to burst or continuous shot mode.
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Step 7
Hold the camera at your pet's eye level.
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Step 8
Keep the camera steady and get ready to take photos.
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Step 9
Gently wiggle the toy or show a treat to encourage a small safe movement from your pet.
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Step 10
Press and hold the shutter button to capture many action photos while your pet moves.
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Step 11
Crouch down to try a low angle for a different perspective.
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Step 12
Take another burst of photos from the low angle while your pet is active.
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Step 13
Look through your photos and pick the clearest action shot.
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Step 14
Crop or lightly adjust brightness on the chosen photo to make the action pop.
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Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I take a clear action photo of my pet?
To capture a clear action photo, use burst/continuous mode on your phone or camera and aim for natural light. Get low to your pet’s level, pre-focus on the spot where they’ll move, and use a fast shutter or higher ISO to freeze motion. Encourage predictable actions with a favorite toy or short tosses, and time shots for the moment of highest movement. Be patient and take lots of frames to increase your chances of a great shot.
What materials do I need to photograph my pet in action?
You’ll need a camera or smartphone with burst/continuous mode, a favorite toy or ball, and small, pet-safe treats to prompt movement. Add a comfortable blanket or mat as a backdrop, a leash for outdoor control, and a towel for muddy paws. Optionally bring a portable reflector for better light and a spare battery or charger. Keep a quiet bag for storing items so the session stays organized and calm for your pet.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity is great for many ages with supervision levels adjusted. Babies and toddlers can watch and point while an adult takes photos. Preschoolers (3–6) enjoy helping with treats and toys with close adult guidance. Elementary kids (7–12) can operate a phone or simple camera with supervision and learn timing. Teens can experiment with settings, angles, and editing. Always supervise interactions to keep both child and pet safe and comfortable.
What are the benefits and safety tips for photographing pets in action?
Taking action photos builds patience, observation, and basic photography skills while strengthening the child-pet bond. It encourages creativity and fine motor control when holding treats or aiming the camera. For safety, never force a pet to perform, use pet-safe treats, avoid loud noises, and supervise all interactions. Use a secure, non-slip area or leash outdoors and stop if your pet shows stress. Keep sessions short and positive to protect both child and animal.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have the plain towel or my camera app doesn't support burst/continuous shot mode?
If you don't have a plain towel or blanket, use a solid-color sheet or large poster board for the clean background, and if your camera app lacks burst/continuous shot mode, quickly tap or hold the shutter or ask an adult to help take rapid single photos so you still capture the action.
My photos come out blurry or my pet won't move—what should I try next?
Ask the adult to brighten the room, rest the camera on a stable surface or tripod and press and hold the shutter in burst mode while you gently wiggle the favorite toy or show a treat to encourage a small safe movement and capture clearer action photos.
How can I change the activity for different ages?
For younger children, have the adult lay out the towel/blanket and hold the camera while the child waves the toy and gives treats, and for older kids let them hold the camera at the pet's eye level, switch to burst mode, try low-angle shots by crouching, and crop or adjust brightness before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the finished photo activity?
Try themed props or different backgrounds, take multiple low-angle bursts and varied movements to make a collage or stop-motion GIF from your burst shots, then crop/lightly adjust brightness and post the finished creation on DIY.org.