Ferrets, dragons and snakes....

[thewtam]

I have a shoot booked in the studio next week involving portraiture of a western hognose snake, 2 bearded dragons and 3 or 4 ferrets.

My plan is to photograph them against a black background, the snake and dragons sitting on shiny black perspex for reflection and the ferrets likely on the ground with black paper roll background, doing what they do.

I was hoping someone may have first had experience of photographing reptiles and ferrets in the studio. If anyone does, any pointers would be really appreciated!

Matthew

 

[StuartH]

I have taken a fair few reptile shots for many breeders websites..
With the snakes you will find your window of opportunity is fairly small as once warmed up or moving it is then very hard to keep them still.If this is the case best bet will be to put it away for a while to settle and try again in a short while.Grab yourself a small plastic tub which can be placed over the animal in situ(snake) as this can calm them down and they quite often coil up and create a nice pose.The bearded dragons should be much easier though.

heres some I have done for breeders

Head shot by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr


Smile by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr


Ball python by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr


DSC_1241 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr

 

[skd]

I have done snakes and bearded dragons as well as geckos etc.

As above I stuck a dark bowl over the snake and waited for them to settle. But you can guess that Sod's law takes place as when the snake coils it faces the wrong way.

Bearded dragons have always been spot on and tend to stay still but be aware on the nails as this will scratch the acrylic.

 

[thewtam]

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the advice. Bowl seems a good idea, I'm hoping the owner will have tricks up his sleeve as well.

It's the ferrets which I think will be the tricky ones.

M

 

[StuartH]

Have you handled snakes before?..I keep them as well which makes it a bit easier as I can manipulate them into position etc and know if they are going to bite! Although tend to get better shots from the most aggressive ones as they just coil up ready to strike! Hognose are great characters full of bluff and usually just hiss and flatten their necks like a cobra..quite comical if you know them but intimidating if you dont.Heres one I shot for a friend many moons ago,had a right attitude!


hognose by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr

 

[-Paul-]

Cracking shots! They remind me of some of the people that I used to work with!!! Although they dont look as slimy!

 

[thewtam]

Stuart, I have held snakes. Little while ago a daughters careers evening involved exhibitors from employers and colleges. One college brought along two pythons. Over the years I have come across a few but only friendly domesticated types! The one coming in next week is a pet so I guess it is tame. So far as a snake can be tame.
I like your shots. I'm looking forward to the shoot but still anticipate the ferrets being the biggest problem.

 

[StuartH]

Even the "tame" ones can sometimes have a go when being photographed..
Best of luck hope it goes well for you

 

[thewtam]

Well, all done! It all went to plan amazingly. Started with the snake. It was really well behaved and I got the photos in my head. The bearded dragons were brilliant and again got exactly what I imagined. I'm pleased. Then came the ferrets! OK to be fair, given the warnings, repeated warnings from the owners, I was pleasantly surprised. However, having four ferrets loose in the studio was a bit different. Four dollops of pooh, one or two small puddles. One tried to get in my shirt and another made it head and shoulders up my jeans. So there I am flat on my belly trying to photograph one, with another on my back. Tried dangling food on string, put them in a suitcase but really hard to get something good! Then one got under the paper roll, so I had a comical lump moving about the floor. Kevin Bacon would have known what to do!

So, not sure about the ferret results but pleased with the snake and dragons.

M

 

[thewtam]

Here are some samples from the shoot, exactly what was in my head so I am pleased. I am happy to receive critique on these as well. There are a few more on my website if you're interested.