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Top tips for photographing animals
August 19, 2024Archives
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Top tips for photographing animals: capture magical moments on your Hoe Grange Holidays adventure
Happy World Photography Day! Whether you're a seasoned photographer or someone who simply enjoys capturing precious memories on your phone, there's no better place to practice your photography skills than the stunning Peak District.
Here at Hoe Grange Holidays, we're not just surrounded by breath-taking landscapes but also lots of cute animals that provide the perfect opportunity for budding and professional photographers alike.
Life on the farm ensures there’s always something interesting to capture, from grazing cattle and sheep to our cheeky chickens. Right now, our newest additions, baby pygmy goats, are stealing the show with their playful antics, literally springing high in the air before dashing round the field. These adorable creatures, along with our many other animals, offer unique opportunities for up-close and personal photography, making your stay both relaxing and creatively inspiring.
To celebrate World Photography Day, we’ve put together our top tips for photographing animals. These tips will help you capture the heart and soul of our farm animals during your holiday, ensuring that your photos are filled with personality, charm, and a touch of that countryside magic. #worldphotographyday
Featuring Wesley Kristopher Photography, aka "PeopleofthePeak"
We are fortunate to work with local semi-professional photographer Wesley Kristopher, the talent behind People of the Peak. Wesley is known for his breath-taking landscape and wildlife photography throughout the Peak District. We’re thrilled that he has also taken some stunning shots of our farm animals. One of his most famous photos—an image of one of our little lambs leaping joyfully into the air—was recently featured in national newspapers, including The Times. #peopelofthepeak
Wesley’s ability to capture the spirit of our farm animals in their natural environment is truly inspiring. His work offers a wonderful example of how animal photography can be both artistic and full of life. You can see more of his stunning shots on his Facebook page and his website, PeopleofthePeak. We encourage you to take a look for some inspiration before your visit!
One of my favourite photos of our farmyard friends taken by Wesley.
1. Get to know your subject
Before snapping away, take some time to observe the animals. Animals, like people, have their own personalities and quirks. Some are shy and prefer to keep their distance, while others (like our friendly pygmy goats) are curious and will likely come right up to you.
Spend a few minutes watching them, and you’ll start to notice patterns in their behaviour. This will help you anticipate their movements and capture those perfect, spontaneous moments. At Hoe Grange Holidays, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with our animals, so use this time to bond with them. When you understand their character, it will shine through in your photos. This is one of Wesley's photos of our baby Pygmy goats - he spent an hour in the garden with them, just watching and waiting for the prefect moment.
2. Make the most of natural light
One of the joys of animal photography is being able to capture animals in their natural surroundings. Outdoor photography uses natural light, and is best done early morning or late afternoon when the sun casts a soft, golden glow. This "golden hour" light creates beautiful shadows and highlights, adding depth and warmth to your photos.
This was a quick snap taken on my iPhone while out riding and is zoomed in, so the quality isn't perfect but I love the composition and soft light.
Our Peak District setting offers endless opportunities to take advantage of natural light, with wide-open skies and unobstructed views. Whether it’s the soft morning light shining over the rolling hills or the vibrant sunset casting warm hues over the fields, our location is a dream for any photographer.
3. Focus on the eyes
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and this is particularly true in animal photography. Capturing sharp, clear images of an animal's eyes can convey emotion and create a powerful connection between the viewer and the subject. When photographing our goats, chickens, cows, sheep, or any other animals here at Hoe Grange, make the eyes your focal point.
Even if the rest of the animal is moving, having the eyes in sharp focus will ensure your photo still feels intimate and engaging. Try to get down to the animal’s eye level as this perspective creates a more personal and authentic image. Really happy with this image I took with my iPhone using portrait mode.
4. Get down (or up!) to their level
Speaking of eye level, one of the most impactful things you can do in animal photography is to photograph them from their perspective. Rather than shooting down from your standing height, crouch down, kneel, or even lie on the ground to get at the animal’s level. Here's one of our farmyard chickens taken by Wesley, whilst lying on the ground!
This technique instantly changes the dynamic of your photo, making the animal appear larger in the frame and giving the viewer a sense of being part of the scene. This approach works particularly well with chickens or our baby pygmy goats—by getting down low, you’ll be able to capture their cheeky personalities up close and in detail.
5. Patience is key
Animal photography requires patience, especially when you’re dealing with energetic or shy animals. Sometimes, the best photos are the ones you have to wait for. Instead of rushing to snap a picture, allow the animal to get comfortable with you. Move slowly and remain calm—this will help the animals relax, allowing you to capture them in a more natural manner.
While you’re staying with us, you’ll have the luxury of time. You can spend an entire day with our animals, which means there’s no need to hurry your photoshoot. Let the animals come to you, and be ready for those special moments when they reveal their true character. Also remember you have to take many, many photos to get the one great shot! Here's Wesley in action taking some photos of Farmer David feeding a baby lamb.
6. Capture action shots
Some of the most exciting animal photos are those that capture animals in motion. Whether it’s a goat leaping through the air, a chicken scratching in the dirt, or our horses rolling in the paddock, action shots add a sense of energy and life to your images.
To capture motion effectively, use a fast shutter speed. This will freeze the action, allowing you to capture crisp images of even the fastest animals. If you’re using a smartphone, look for the “burst mode” or “live” feature, which takes a series of photos in quick succession—this can help you select the perfect moment when everything aligns. You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.
7. Use treats and toys
In some cases, you might want to encourage the animals to interact with you or to perform specific actions. This is where treats or toys can come in handy. At Hoe Grange Holidays, our animals are accustomed to being around people and often respond well to a bit of positive reinforcement.
However, it’s important to remember not to overfeed them, and always check with our staff beforehand to ensure what you’re offering is appropriate. For our playful pygmy goats, a small treat can lead to some wonderfully candid moments that are perfect for capturing on camera.
At a recent photoshoot, our dog model, Rupert, was a superstar at following the ball his owner had in hand out of shot, which gave a fabulous end result!
8. Mind your background
It’s easy to get caught up in focusing on the animals themselves, but paying attention to the background of your photo can make a big difference. A cluttered or distracting background can take away from your subject, while a clean and simple background will help your animal stand out.
Luckily, here at Hoe Grange, you’ll find plenty of picturesque backdrops to work with—from rolling fields and historic stone walls to wide-open skies and peaceful grasslands. Use these natural elements to frame your shots and enhance the beauty of your animal subjects. Don't forget there's plenty of wildlife here as well. Another shot with my iPhone being careful to select the beautiful butterfly as the main focal point. If you walk over to the nearby Hoe Grange Quarry nature reserve there's plenty of butterflies, moths and bees hiding in the grasses and brambles and birds flying overhead.
9. Experiment with angles and perspectives
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your compositions. Try shooting from different angles and perspectives—capture a close-up of a cow’s nose, a wide-angle shot of our chickens roaming freely, or a silhouette of a horse against a golden sunset.
The more you experiment, the more unique and interesting your photos will become. This is another quick snap with my iPhone while out riding my horse Oliver, creating the image by using our shadows, which gives a more unusual perspective.
10. Most importantly: have fun!
Photography should be an enjoyable experience, especially when you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature and friendly animals. Don’t stress too much about getting the "perfect" shot—sometimes, the best photos are the ones that capture the joy and spontaneity of the moment. Here at Hoe Grange Holidays, you’re free to roam, explore, and capture the farm's natural charm at your own pace.
So pack your camera, or your smart phone and come join us in the Peak District. Our farm, with our animals and stunning scenery, is the perfect place to practice your photography skills, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Whether you're looking to improve your wildlife photography or simply want to create lasting memories with your family, a stay at Hoe Grange Holidays offers endless opportunities for both.
Don’t forget to check out Wesley Kristopher’s work, PeopleofthePeak on Instagram for some wonderful inspiration. You can buy canvas prints of his incredible images. We love the famous shot of our little lamb leaping in the air, called "Woolly Jumper", which so beautifully captures the essence of farm life and the Peak District. Who knows? Your next stay might inspire your own masterpiece!
Book your stay today and get ready to capture magical moments on your next countryside adventure!
Felicity
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Hoe Grange Holidays Tripadvisor Comments...
- Wheelieuser
What can I say?
Absolutely superb!
We have just returned from a family weekend staying in Daisybank cabin and the Skylark pod.
It was our first trip away with my... read more
June 13, 2019Charlotte M Second visit to the accessible holiday cabins at Hoe Grange. David and Felicity were as helpful and friendly as ever. We had a welcome pack of freshly baked bread, butter,... read more
August 7, 2019mickvfr Arrived and was shown to our pod, fantastic location and the pod was very good indeed plus we had home made bread and milk and tea and coffee. A... read more
July 28, 2019
