Cute, friendly, majestic—your pet is all of these and more. Naturally, his magnificence deserves to be captured in photos for all the world to see. But while you’d like to ask your dog to hold a smile or tell your cat to quit attacking the camera, real life often has other plans.

Still, taking perfect pet photos is possible with a little determination and a whole lot of patience. We turned to professional photographer Carlton Canary (who recently did a pet-tastic photoshoot with Trupanion) for expert-level advice.

Tips for taking the perfect pet photos

Whether you’re using the camera on your phone or a fancy DSLR, there are some key things to keep in mind when trying to capture that perfect pet portrait.

1. Find your pet photo inspiration

Even if you have some pet photo ideas beforehand, there’s a good chance that the finished product could end up being entirely different. According to Canary, it’s all about experimentation and trying out new things you might not have considered.

“Look at other photographers or artists and try to emulate their work,” he says. “You'll find that you stumble across ways of doing things that are unique to you.”

2. Wait for when your pet is calm

Just like humans, pets can have different reactions when put in front of the camera. Some may enjoy all the attention and being stars of the show, while others just want to run and hide. The right time to take pet photos is therefore when it works for best for your pet, not just for you.

“As you get started, remember it should be a fun and stress free environment for you and your pet. If they aren't having a good time then it will show in the photos,” Canary says. “As you experiment, you'll find what works for you, and what you are responding to.”

3. Start with natural light

Even if you’re set on setting up some lights in a studio or room at home, Canary suggest starting with natural lighting first.

"Natural light is a great teacher,” he says. “How does the light from a window look, how does direct sun look? There are few wrong answers, only what you like and don't like.”

While you may or may not end up using this for your dog and cat photos, getting a better understanding of how light falls will help you learn how to accentuate your pal’s best features.

"For myself, I really seek out multiple soft lights from just behind and above camera. I think this light really catches the reflections on a pet's fur and eyes, and provides some dimension. Most importantly it's about experimenting and finding what you respond to, and what your pet will tolerate.”

4. Keep the focus on your pet, not the background

Some people want to make their pet portrait as artistic and interesting as possible, but adding too much into the mix can detract from the subject. Keep backgrounds simple, and let dogs and cats be themselves. As Canary puts it: “People care much less about the background than they do about seeing your pet's personality.”

5. Respect the differences between cats and dogs

Have both a dog and a cat at home? Even if you’re taking a pet portrait of them together, keep in mind that they may have different needs for being comfortable enough to get their pictures taken.