Pet photography has transformed from simple snapshots to an art form that captures the deep bond between animals and humans. Journey through its history to see how this unique genre evolved and became popular in the photography industry today.
How Pet Photography Has Evolved: History and Growth?
By Asma Roshan.
For thousands of years, animals have been our loyal companions. We shared our best and worst moments and created many memories together, and many photographers have documented this special bond throughout history.
Pet photography has evolved from simple, candid photos taken by pet lovers to a thriving industry of professional studios equipped with the latest technology. But how far back does pet photography go? What is the earliest known photograph of an animal?
Join us as we explore the history of pet photography, from its earliest beginnings to its modern-day form, and how it has captured the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.
What Is Pet Photography?
Pet photography is a specialized genre of photography focused on capturing the personality, beauty, and spirit of animals; particularly pets like dogs, cats, and birds. Unlike simple snapshots, it aims to create images that tell a story about the bond between pets and their owners or highlight the unique traits of the animals themselves.
This type of photography often involves a mix of portrait, lifestyle, and action shots, where photographers use techniques like creative lighting, dynamic compositions, and sometimes props to bring out the pet’s character. Pet photography can range from candid moments that show pets in their natural environments to carefully planned shoots with professional setups.
How Old Is Pet Photography?
Pet photography started in the 19th century, shortly after the invention of cameras. Initially, these pictures were mostly of farm animals, taken for documentation purposes.
Due to the long exposure times required by early cameras, capturing clear images of moving animals was extremely challenging. Photographers often focused on stationary or domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats, and used various techniques to keep them still, like placing them on props or having owners hold them.
As photographic techniques improved and exposure times shortened, photographers were able to capture more natural and spontaneous images of animals, laying the groundwork for the pet photography we know today.
Who Are the First Known Pet Photographers?
While dedicated pet photography as we know it today developed later, the earliest pet photographers were pioneers of photography who experimented with capturing animals and pets alongside other subjects.
One notable 19th-century photographer known for his work featuring pets is Harry Pointer, who became famous for his humorous and staged photographs of cats and helping to popularize the idea of photographing pets in more expressive and imaginative ways.
Pointer was a creative English photographer in the 1870s, known for his playful and endearing photographs of cats. Starting with simple portraits of his feline subjects resting or drinking, Pointer’s creativity soon led him to experiment with more imaginative setups. He began posing his cats in quirky, human-like scenarios—like riding a tricycle, roller-skating, or even pretending to take a photograph—bringing a touch of humor and personality to his work.
To make his photos even more interesting, he added witty captions, turning them into charming stories that resonated with people. His beloved series, known as “The Brighton Cats,” became popular as novelty postcards, capturing the hearts of Victorian-era audiences and made him one of the early pioneers of pet photography.
Modern Pet Photography
Modern pet photography has blossomed into a lively and innovative field where artistry meets technology to capture our furry friends in all their glory. Today’s pet photographers use high-resolution cameras, clever lighting, and creative editing to truly bring out the unique personalities of each animal. They often blend lifestyle and conceptual photography, focusing on candid moments, playful interactions, or themed shoots that tell a story.
On the other hand, social media has given it a global stage, letting images spread joy and connect with a worldwide community of pet enthusiasts.
Whether for personal keepsakes, commercial projects, or social media content, pet photography celebrates the special place that pets hold in people’s lives, turning their playful actions, expressions, and everyday moments into lasting memories.
See IMAGO’s Collections from Pet Photography.
The credit of the cover photo: IMAGO / glasshouseimages | 1920s.