Are you looking to enter the world of pet influencers? Check out our Guest Author, Nancy Ingersoll! She is a San Diego-based Commercial Food Photographer and Lifestyle Product Photographer who has put together this handy guide to get your Pet-fluencerness off the ground!

A Professional Product Photographer’s Guide for Aspiring Pet Influencers

If you’ve ever looked at a dog-and-product photo on Instagram and thought, “My pup could totally do that,” you might be right. Pet influencers are on the rise, and brands are noticing. As a professional product photographer who often works with my own dog to capture images of treats, toys, and pet wellness products, I’ve learned that creating scroll-stopping content takes more than just a cute face (though that definitely helps).

Whether you're just getting started or already pitching to pet brands, this guide will share what I’ve learned behind the lens of pet influencer photography and how you can make your dog shine in it.

The Three Core Product Shots

Brands love variety, but there are a few key images they consistently need in pet brand photography:

● The Hero Shot - This is the polished, product-focused image. Your dog should be near the product in a clean, well-lit environment. Think of your pup sitting beside a package of treats or with a toy. These are the eye-catching shots that often make it into a brand’s marketing materials.

● The Interaction Shot - This image shows your dog actually using the product. From sniffing or licking to grabbing or playing. These action shots serve as a testimonial and vote of approval from the happy or engaged pup. They also help pet parents connect emotionally and visualize how their own pets might enjoy the product.

● The Lifestyle Pullback - Step back, and zoom out and show the full scene. The goal here is to give context. Maybe it’s a toy in the backyard with your dog mid-pounce, or a supplement bottle placed beside the breakfast bowl. These wide shots help brands tell a more complete story.

Think Like a Brand: Product Placement Matters

While your dog’s personality is a star in pet brand marketing photography, the product should play the leading role. Make sure the label is clearly visible and easy to read. Rotation of the package is important and may need to be adjusted each time your dog moves or the camera angle changes.

The overall styling should also reflect the brand’s vibe. Keep the brand’s color palette in mind. If the product’s packaging is clean and minimal, use simple props and neutral backgrounds. If the brand is bold and playful, consider incorporating fun colors or themed accessories that align with that energy.

Keep the scene tidy and distraction-free so the viewer’s focus stays on your dog and the product. Be especially careful to avoid any other branding in the background that might compete for attention or cause confusion.

Make the Most of Your Dog’s Personality

Your dog doesn’t need professional training to be a great model. In fact, some of the most engaging content is pet brand marketing photography which comes from pets simply being themselves. High-value treats can help hold your dog’s attention and make for great motivation between shots.

Dogs who are food-driven often do well in front of the camera, but keep an eye out for an intense treat-tunnel-vision stare. If your pup starts to look a little too fixated, try mixing things up with playtime breaks or affection-based rewards instead. A favorite toy or some enthusiastic praise can reset the mood and bring out more natural expressions, making them pet influencer ready.

Lean into your dog’s strengths. If they’re energetic and goofy, use that to create dynamic, joyful photos. If they’re naturally calm or observant, embrace the stillness for serene, thoughtful images. The goal is to highlight your dog’s authentic personality while keeping the vibe positive and relaxed.

Building Your Pet’s Presence

To get paid gigs, you will need to prove your dog’s abilities. Start by posting both Lifestyle Photos and Professional Headshots of your dog. Be consistent in posting and patient as you build a pet influencer presence as brands look for reliability and ongoing engagement.

A professional pet portrait photographer (like Crimson Cat Studios) can play a crucial role here by ensuring that you have high-quality headshots. Meanwhile, you can work on lifestyle and product photos to showcase your dog and establish your dog’s personal brand.

As you share images of your dog next to you at a cafe with a dog friendly patio and unboxing a new toy that arrives in the mail, these lifestyle photos will tell the story. Meanwhile, sharing your dog’s headshots will help brands remember the character behind the story. Both are essential if you want your dog to stand out and get noticed by potential partners.

What Brands Are Really Looking For

You don’t need a massive following to get noticed, but having quality, brand-appropriate content is a must. From my experience working with pet brands, they value several key elements most. Clean, clear product visibility is essential, along with authentic interactions between pets and the product. They look for happy, healthy-looking animals photographed in distraction-free environments. Photos should also reflect the brand’s style and message, while adopting a relatable, lifestyle-focused approach that resonates with pet parents.

Unlock Income Opportunities for Your Dog

Pet brand marketing is big business and pet product photography plays an important role in it. To read more about monetizing your dog’s presence and creating standout content, check out my detailed blog post about Lifestyle Dog Product Photography.

Product Photographer + Dog Duo

If you’re serious about helping your dog become a pet influencer, the right content can make a huge difference. Lifestyle photography and professional headshots work hand-in-hand to help you build a polished and engaging presence online, so don’t forget—book a pet headshot session with Crimson Cat Studios to make sure your dog is camera-ready for brand opportunities!

Book your Doggie Headshot now

Nancy Ingersoll is a commercial product photographer based in San Diego, California. She specializes in creating custom images for food-centric brands—including those focused on pet food and treats. You can explore her portfolio at www.nancyingersoll.com and follow her creative journey on Instagram @thecreativeresource.

Aspiring Pet Influencer’s Guide