I’ll admit I have an Instagram account for my three dogs, and at one point I have followed more dogs, pigs, tigers, and rescue groups than people. But who can blame me? Pup culture and its memes, reels, and posts brighten our days — and for some, even their bank accounts. Those with lucky tales boast influencer status and are courted by brands for sponsored posts.
CenturyLinkQuote just released a new report that uncovers the top five dog breeds most likely to become Instagram influencers and examines the earnings of the most popular dogs online. According to the report, “Believe it or not, mixed-breed dogs are more likely to become influencers than purebreds — 17 percent of popular dog accounts belong to mixed breeds.”
The report also notes that Instagram’s most popular mixed breed was a rescue named Henry the Colorado Dog, who sadly recently crossed over the rainbow bridge. With more than 2 million followers, Henry is the fifth most followed dog account on Instagram and the only mixed pup in the report’s top 10 list.
The most popular Instagram dog influencer, according to CenturyLinkQuote, is Jiff the Pomeranian (@jiffpom). Jiff can make as much as $32,564 per sponsored post. You read the correctly. Jiff earns more money from one Instagram post than some people earn in one year. So what does it take to make your pet an Instagram star?
Great photos, to start. LittleThings spoke with Tim Reiter, a professional pet photographer who has held staff roles with top luxury fashion brands as well as done extensive work with international and domestic nonprofit organizations.
A lifelong animal lover and owner of a Persian cat named Gwildor, Reiter has been photographing animals professionally for about 10 years now. He recalls of his time starting out, “Upon receiving my first DSLR camera, an old Nikon hand-me-down, I began photographing my pets as well as my friends' pets. I practiced consistently and honed my skills, and my photography career really took off from there.”
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For those looking to invest in pro-like photos, Reiter suggests, “Both Canon and Sony have amazing technology that helps lock in the focus on an animal's eye. The Sony a7 III is a few years old but is still a great camera that can be found for a reasonable price. I'm personally a Canon fan and highly recommend looking into the Canon R6, which boasts amazing image quality and is packed with features.”
Once you have your camera, you’ll need to decide where to set up your photo shoots.
Reiter says, “Choose a background that doesn't distract but enhances a pet portrait. In the studio, I often use a beautiful custom hand-painted canvas backdrop that keeps the focus on the pet and adds a bit of painterly interest with its subtle textures and coloring. When indoors, any background that's uncluttered and keeps the attention on the pet will do wonders for your picture. When photographing outdoors, I suggest scenery that helps tell a story. Whether it's a scenic beach, your dog's favorite park, or even an interesting urban landscape, let your backgrounds work for you and tell a story.”
Then, opt for natural lighting. “I love using natural light for my work when working outdoors,” shares Reiter. “It's simple, requires no extra equipment, and can look incredibly beautiful. The catch is that it can be inconsistent, and you are at the mercy of the sun and need to play by its rules, even if it decides it wants to take a break behind some clouds.”
Flash photography can be amazing, as well, he says. “The key is to get your flash off camera, which allows you to create interesting light. Sticking a flash on your camera's hot shoe is an easy way to create flat and uninteresting light. Getting your flash off camera will allow you to create amazing depth with highlights and shadows and can quickly separate your work from the amateurs.”
You’ll also have to decide what you’re going for in terms of posed or candid shots. “I think posed and candid shots both have their place,” says Reiter. “Posed shots are great, but if someone's pet isn't in the mood to be posed, it's usually best to focus on some candids or to test their own patience and wait for or entice their pet to get in the perfect spot using some tasty treats.”
A lot relies on your pet and your patience. “Pet photography takes a lot of patience, and I find that even if a dog knows the sit command, it's a big ask when there are flashing lights and there's a big camera in front of them,” notes Reiter. “It's best to let the pet get comfortable so that they will be calm enough to want to sit. If the pet really has absolutely no intention of sitting whatsoever, I will utilize a thin show lead and have a handler or owner hold it to get the pet to remain still, and then I'll remove it with some Photoshop magic. Oftentimes, all I need is a split second of a particular pose to capture the shot.”
Treats may also help do the trick. “Hot dogs are always a huge hit with dogs, and I find that for cats, simply opening a bag of Temptations treats will immediately grab their full attention,” he reveals.
He adds, “I use a wide variety of noisemakers to capture pets' attention. When doing outdoor shoots, I can usually be found rolling around in the dirt, barking, playing the kazoo, or blowing into an animal call whistle — not exactly music to the ears — and I can only imagine what bystanders walking by must think. Sometimes I even wonder if the dogs think I'm crazy!”
Props aren’t necessary. “While I don't use a ton of props, they can definitely be fun to add some interest to your photos,” he says. “Whether it's a fun bowtie, bandana, or an interesting piece of furniture, props are an easy way to liven up your photos, as long as the pet is having it.”
When it comes for mastering pics for the gram, Reiter explains, “Most folks tend to simply stand above their pet and snap a shot without much thought behind it. To create those perfect images that are going to get double-tapped, one needs to focus on creating interest with angles, which often means getting down to your pet's eye level. Day to day, we see our furry friends from a higher perspective, so it's ideal to capture shots that will bring the viewer down to the pet's level.”
If you have a standard poodle, you may be off to a successful start. “Standard poodles are one of my favorite dog breeds to photograph,” admits Reiter. “Whether they have their full coat or have been recently sculpted at the groomer, I find that they photograph beautifully and look very dignified and statuesque in images.”
Australian shepherd owners can also rejoice. Reiter says, “Australian shepherds are a lot of fun and can be an easier breed to work with. I've found that the breed generally enjoys the camera and almost seem to pose on their own. They are also very expressive-looking and tend to have lighter eyes that let in extra light, making your job just a tad easier.”
But you might need to cross your fingers if you have another breed. “It can be tricky photographing a dog with a very long coat, such as an Old English sheepdog, because their eyes can be easily obscured by their fur,” he points out. “When photographing pets — or people for that matter — my focus is on trying to capture their eyes, since so much is conveyed through them. Puppies can also be difficult because they are often super adventurous and curious and they would rather explore than sit still for a photo session.”
With the right tools and happy tails, your pet might just be the next popular pup, pig, or pretty kitty.
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