Photography help

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RedLoredAmazon

Adult Guinea Pig
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I am fostering two lovely piggies named Han Solo and Violet till sometime in January. The rescue asked me to take some pictures of them so they could update PetFinder photos. I've had them since November 24th, so I understand that they are still skittish. Plus, they haven't been in a home at all so they are still getting used to sounds with people, cooking, crying children, etc. The rescue is hoping that with new pictures someone will fill out an application and adopt them.

So, any advice to get a good picture of them? I know bribing them is key, but other than that I'm not so sure. I know that I won't be able to get them to fully trust me since they are only here for a little bit. Any help would be appreciated!
 
good lighting helps - I always try and get my photos done in the daytime as I find natural daylight provides the best lighting .

I notice a lot of rescues seem to take their pictures with guinea pigs on an armchair or settee - I expect the back and sides of the armchair help the guinea pigs feel safe and they are less likely to bolt.

Veggie/grass bribes are very useful .

Most cameras on phones/ipads take very good shots .
 
:agr:

Good lighting is key! My phone camera isn't great, but bright light always helps with the quality of the photo a lot and they end up looking decent. I always take photos of my piggies on my armchair as well. Veggies definitely help if you have piggies who don't sit still long enough for a photo.
 
I take a lot of pictures of my piggies, but at the beginning, when I don't trust them to stay on my sofa, there is always a person (covered by a fleece blanket) there to hold them.
Or you can try putting them somewhere they feel safe in.
Prepare everything in advance, but be quick with taking the actual pictures.
 
Photographing them on an armchair on a clean fleece in good light is something I usually do. The armchair reduces escape routes, although I have still had a few heart stopping moments with really skittish pigs! If they are very skittish, get everything set up ready in advance, with a big bag of grass or herbs to hand. I put them together into a pet carrier until I’m ready to do the photo. If possible, have someone else ready to help you. Then put both pigs down together, and take as many photos as you can before they bolt. There is usually a moment of “freezing” where you can grab a half decent shot of them. If they are more chilled, you can try to position them and offer a few bribes.

Alternatively, you can clean out their cage as much as possible and then take a photo of them in their cage. It can be easier to control very flighty piggies in their own environment rather than out in the armchair.

If you are really struggling, then photograph them separately and create a collage (I’ve done several of those with rescue piggies over the years).
 
Well the photoshoot went as well as it could. I did it by myself and took a picture of them on the floor as they were trying to jump out of their cuddle sack and I didn't want them to get hurt. Here are some of the good pictures till everything went poorly.

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Then Violet decided to leave and Luke (apparently I was told his name wrong! His brother's name is Han Solo!) decided to eat the snacks.

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Then this happened....

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I decided to call it a wrap when they both started running around under the blanket and exploring the dinning room. Violet is the Abyssinian and Luke is the short haired handsome fellow. Hopefully I will be able to take better pictures next time.
 
Thank you! I see everyone's lovely pictures and I wondered if I was doing it wrong. I did feel like I was trying to take a class photo of toddlers! They were into everything! :))
 
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