Pet photography is an industry that's having quite a boom at the moment. As of 2023, there were 2,623 pet photography businesses in the U.S. alone. Pet photographers work hard to get the cutest and the most beautiful shots of pets.
Yet sometimes, the most award-worthy snapshots happen at home. Here we have for you a selection of the most entertaining pics of all kinds of pets and animals, courtesy of the Animals Being Derps subreddit. What's better than your pet being cute? Them acting silly, of course!
#1 My Cat Is Obsessed With 2 Things: Splooting And Hiding Under The Rug. Always Discover Her "Hiding" With Just Her Feet Sticking Out .. And The Rug Breathing
Image credits: LazyAmbassador2521
#2 I'm Batman
Image credits: Valuable-Bug-3447
#3 Tasmanian Devil Exhausted From Being So Ferocious
Image credits: OkaySureWhyNotIGuess
The animals featured on the Animals Being Derps subreddit are the kings and queens of this kind of content. The community is gargantuan: they have 8.4 million members, all ready to say "Aww" at their or someone else's pet's silliness.
Some of the submissions in the group are bloopers or failed moments from home photoshoots. Truly, capturing your pet in a really derpy state usually happens completely by accident. But, if you're anything like me, your phone is brimming with photos of your pet(s), and a photography trick or two never hurt anybody!
#4 Urban Fox, Doing A Full Sploot In My Sunny Scottish Garden
Image credits: oscarx-ray
#5 Luma And Her Crab Friend
Image credits: KattLadybr
#6 This Is The Face Of A Doggie Who Is Very Excited To Be In The Snow
Image credits: erasrhed
Capturing something akin to the photos in this list can't be staged, probably. The subreddit's rules even state that they don't accept any staged photos. It thrives on completely authentic derpiness. However, capturing a pet's personality is also possible with staged photoshoots.
The most common problem owners face when photographing their pets is that they just won't stand still; it's like someone gave them a Red Bull right before the photoshoot! Canine coach Callie Jennings says that the trick is to wear out your beloved pet before you want to take some nice pics. "A calm mind leads to a calm body," she told The Washington Post.
#7 Scientifically, A Group Of Snoots At Rest Is Called A “Smorgasbord”
Image credits: Felstorm1231
#8 Reindeer Derp
Image credits: Full-Mulberry5018
#9 How She Watches Dateline
Image credits: gmmstrrz
A new environment makes pets either excited or very stressed. That's why Jennings also recommends planning to have some time ahead so that your pet can explore their new surroundings. Once they feel bored with the new place and have explored all the stimuli, you can begin the session. They'll probably be more focused and calmer, just as you need them.
#10 Charlie's Not Feeling Monday
Image credits: VeryOftenWrong
#11 I Wanted To Take A Cute Picture Of Smokey And Murphy But This Is What I Ended Up With Instead
Image credits: photo_inbloom
#12 ??? (Carpenter Bee, Immediately Before Bonking Into The Camera)
Image credits: H_G_Bells
Dogs are easy to bribe with treats to hold their attention and get them into the desired spot. But cats don't recognize other figures of authority; you might have a lot more trouble with photographing them. So, Jennings advises using a catnip blend with silver vine. It elicits a euphoric feeling in cats, making them more focused and giving you the opportunity to snap the perfect shot.
#13 That’s Me. That Is Not My Cat
Image credits: MeridethLeigh
#14 I Encountered This Derpturtle Last Summer And Helped It Cross The Road. I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes
Image credits: WhyAreCatsSquishy
#15 What?
Image credits: lalitpatanpur
Lighting is usually your worst enemy when it comes to taking good pet photographs at home. Pets can find your phone's flash frightening, and natural lighting almost always looks better anyway. So, make sure your pet is always facing the source of light, most often a window, preferably. If the source of the light is behind your pet, they'll most likely end up backlit.
#16 This Derpy Deer ? ? ?
Image credits: Full-Mulberry5018
#17 My Blanket Is Very Fierce Tonight
Image credits: WorkingInAColdMind
#18 Georgia Found Out There’s A Cat In The House!
Image credits: BeholdBarrenFields
Photographing outdoors is also a very good choice. Surprisingly, overcast days are the best for photoshoots, since there won't be any shadows that might cover your pet's face. Animals with dark fur can be especially hard to photograph since their features do not always register. Dark-haired animals turn out better when photographed against a bright background, so try out colorful pet beds, blankets, and even bandanas or collars to make them pop more.
#19 You Can Hear The Tires Squeak
Image credits: KimWiko
#20 My Pup Derped Out Hard Upon Meeting A Malamute. She Was In Awe
Image credits: OkaySureWhyNotIGuess
#21 My Cat's Face When She Saw The New Toy I Bought Her
Image credits: Charl0tten
Dogs look really cute with their mouths open and their tongues out, don't they? If you want to get that kind of quirky shot, try wearing them out so they're panting. I have some personal experience here: my beagle always looked the best (almost like he was smiling) after a long walk, with his foot-long tongue that was definitely too big for his mouth out in all its glory.
#22 Just A Soccer Ball - Oh
Image credits: Ayen_C
#23 Upside Down Picture Of Dog Lying Upside Down
Image credits: Antoshi
#24 An Actual Pic Of A Sleep Paralysis Demon Derp!
Image credits: Butitsadryheat2
This tip is very useful for owners of dark-haired pets but can be applied to pets of all colors. The contrast between the eyes and the fur looks really good in pictures of dark-haired pets. According to pet photographer Rhian White, snapping your pet from above really helps. If it's a long-haired pet, use water: wipe the hair off their eyes with a wet flannel or let them splash around.
#25 They Fight Over A Carrot... In Front Of A Pile Of Carrots
Image credits: I_might_be_weasel
#26 I Don't Understand How My Hedgehog Can Sleep In This Position
Image credits: judgmentalbookcover
#27 Sleep Flying
Image credits: secretsafe1
White writes that darker-haired pets also look majestic in silhouette photos. Of course, you could do that with your white furry friend as well. Position them in front of a sunset or a sunrise when the sun is almost touching the horizon line; otherwise, the light will probably be too bright.
#28 Enlightened
Image credits: ApatheticSparrow
#29 Seagull-Watching Is A Serious Task!
Image credits: fresca_nz
#30 Polar Bears Can Derp Too
Image credits: spg-photography
I don't know about you, Pandas, but these pictures turned me into that kid from the "Can I pet that dawg" meme. I just can't stop saying it while looking at these dogs and not-dogs alike! If you're like me and just can't get enough of these wonderful derps, check out our previous articles about the subreddit here, here, and here!
#31 Perfect Timing!
Image credits: KobraKay87
#32 Toby Sings The Song Of His People
Image credits: PointlessBanter
#33 Mooooommmm She’s Stepping On My Foot!!!!
Image credits: JennDG
#34 Say Cheese
Image credits: Myyrkat
#35 A Blooper From Our Photoshoot
Image credits: clemthecat
#36 He Wanted To Be In The Picture Too
Image credits: tnguyen5057
#37 Whyyy Did You Have To Eat All The Pasta?! ?
Image credits: BelarustheCat
#38 What, Is There Something On My Face O.o ?
Image credits: Default_Male_Orc
#39 Our Cat Often Hangs Out Like This
Image credits: Bomurang
#40 My Cat's Scowl Face When She Begs Is Hilarious
Image credits: adrienne2093
#41 Sometimes He Sits Like This. It’s Batcat
Image credits: AttackPony
#42 My GF's Cat Likes To Sit Spread Eagle Style When In Someone's Lap
Image credits: tadda21
#43 Noodles’ First Christmas Tree
Image credits: syzygialchaos
#44 Jacket Pocket Doubles As A Snoot Warmer
Image credits: lmaosmh
#45 Daily Toilet Routine
Image credits: 19_smeljakis_86
#46 This Nosy Fella At My Barn (Where I Ride)
Image credits: ZoyaZhivago
#47 Why Is She Like This
Image credits: gemgem1985
#48 Find Yourself Someone Who Laughs At Your Jokes Like This Horse Laughs At Mine
Image credits: fightmilk22
#49 Every Video Of My Derp Is A Treasure Trove Of Stills
Image credits: h-h-c
#50 Goat Derp
Image credits: robrklyn
