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Smiling older man in glasses and an olive sweater vest holds a grinning Yorkshire Terrier up for a selfie on a wooden porch. 8 / 29

Grandpa Ken Held Up the Camera on the Porch. Mochi Turned Out to Be a Natural.

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Grandpa Ken has the camera angled just right, and for once, everybody is looking at the lens. He leans into the frame with a warm, crinkly smile behind his glasses, an olive herringbone sweater vest over a checked shirt. Tucked against his chest, held securely in one hand, Mochi grins with her mouth slightly open, tiny teeth showing, ears up, eyes bright. The porch around them is full of happy clutter: potted plants on the railing, a canvas tote, a rope toy, a tennis ball, gardening gloves, a pair of slippers, and a water bottle, with soft fall trees glowing in the misty yard below.

Getting a good picture of a pet takes a little patience, but a few simple tricks help. Get down to the dog's eye level rather than shooting from above, which makes their face the star. Soft natural light, like on a covered porch or near a window, is far more flattering than a harsh flash, which can also startle animals. A treat held just above the camera or a quick squeak of a toy can catch their attention for that perfect alert look. Taking several shots in a row improves the odds that one has open eyes and perked ears. Keep sessions short and fun, and reward your dog afterward so they never mind being the star.

Mochi clearly needed no coaching at all. Between her cheerful grin and Ken's proud smile, this is the kind of picture that ends up framed on the mantel and shown to every visitor.

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