The Jiggley Piggley Farm Guinea Pig Photography

2008

How To Photograph Your Guinea Pig

We hope you have enjoyed looking at the Jiggley Piggley Farm guinea pigs.
Here are 10 tips to get you great photos of your own guinea pigs!

1) Get down to your guinea pig's level. Mr.Wiggles

There are very few acceptions to this rule. Pictures almost always come out better
when shot from the level of your subject.

2) Avoid busy backgrounds, or ones that are too much the color of your subject. Butterscotch

I like natural backgrounds, but we are not always able to shoot outside.
Since the guinea pig is the focus of the picture, we use plain backgrounds,
such as a towel, sheet, or pillows. Look at the color, you don't want busy patterns,
or colors too close to that of the animal. We do use occasional props for a splash of color,
texture or humor, but not enough to overwhelm the photo!

Patty

Here's a couple of good examples of natural backgrounds. Chocolate

Chocolate is sitting on a concrete garden edge. The orange flowers are
"fake" props, inserted into the natural foliage just to add a splash of color!
Please note, you should have a helper just out of range to make sure your
pet does not take a fall, or manage to get lost!

3) Shoot the head on an angle, and wait for some movement.
Mustard

Shots straight on from the side are not very interesting. Try to get the head on an angle,
even if it is just a bit. ( even the above shot of Chocolate has a slight angle to her head)
Also guinea pigs, especially shy ones, tend to just sit there in a lump. Try to be
patient and wait for them to move. Be ready!! When they hit a natural pose for you, it will
be worth the wait.

4) Don't miss photo opportunities! Mr.Wiggles

Bathtime often presents a good photo opportunity!
The AbbyFamily

a birth... Peanut

Or a good view of that cute lower lip!

5) Shoot fairly close! as long as you're staying sharply in focus and not cutting off legs & butts!
You can always do the final cropping on your photo editing program.

6) Use your flash to fill in shadows and bring out color.

7) If all else fails... Mason&Friend

throw in a cute kid Mr.Bob&Mikey

or another critter !!

8) Play around with possibilties that digital photography has to offer! Pippin

Little Pippin's hobbit hole! Our Gang

Our "Sorry, We're full" sign

And don't forget #9) Rules are meant to be broken!

10) Lastly...HAVE FUN! AllFeatEars&Head!

Newborns, all feet and head!

Visit me at

We offer the following for you and your guinea pigs:
* Adoptions & Rescue*
* High Quality, reasonably priced guinea pig and rabbit hay*
* Small animal boarding * Grooming * De-licing
* Second hand cages and new C&C cages
* We are happy to help by email, or phone with your guinea pig health,
care, and aquisition questions.
Centrally located in Pointe Claire, Quebec
Contact us by email
or call 514-268-3797