Let's be real: half the fun of visiting the farm is the pictures. Alpacas are basically born models, goats are natural comedians and a photo with a kangaroo is guaranteed to get your friends' attention. But animals don't exactly take direction. Here are my best tips for getting great animal photos, even if all you've got is your phone.
1. Get down on their level
The number one way to improve an animal photo? Crouch down. Shooting from the animal's eye level instead of from above makes the photo feel more personal and way more interesting. It's the difference between "a picture of a goat" and "a portrait of a goat with opinions."
2. Focus on the eyes
Just like with people, the eyes are what make an animal photo come alive. Tap your screen on the animal's eye to set the focus. Alpacas in particular have those big, dark, long-lashed eyes that look amazing up close.
3. Be patient
Animals do things on their own schedule. Instead of chasing the shot, settle in, stay calm and wait. Often, the best photos happen when the animals get curious and come to you. Bonus: patience usually gets you better animal interactions, too.
4. Use burst mode
Animals move fast and blink at the worst possible moments. Hold down the shutter button (or use burst mode) to take a bunch of photos in a row. Then pick the best one later. You'll get some hilarious outtakes along the way.
5. Watch the light
Soft light makes everything look better. Earlier in the day and cloudier days can be great for photos because the light is gentler. Harsh midday sun can create strong shadows, so try to put the sun behind you or to your side.
6. Capture personality
Some of the best farm photos aren't perfectly posed. They're the goat mid-leap, the alpaca giving side-eye, the pig blissed out in the sun. Look for moments that show who the animal really is. Those are the shots that make people laugh.
7. Mind the fence
If you're shooting through a fence, get your phone as close to it as you safely can (without reaching over). That helps the fence blur out of the shot. Always follow staff instructions and keep fingers on your side.
8. Include your people
The photos you'll treasure most are often the ones with your family in them. Get a shot of your kid's face when an animal comes close. Trust me, you'll want that one later.
9. Put the phone down, too
My last tip: take your pictures, and then put the phone away for a bit and just enjoy the moment. Some memories are best stored the old-fashioned way.
Share your photos!
We love seeing your farm photos. Tag us at @eagleeyefarmwi when you post them. Have questions about visiting first? Check out our FAQ page. We're open 10am to 4pm, 365 days a year, and the animals are always camera-ready.
