Tips for Christmas-themed rat photoshoot

During the festive season, people dress their pets up for shoots. Unfortunately, most shops and pop-up Halloween shops do not cater to the rat demographic or their owners. Instead, they tend to sell images of rats as “scary” decorations.

Unlike some dogs, rats are less cooperative about dressing up. It makes some rats miserable, plus it’s not safe to leave your rat unsupervised in a costume. For this reason, the costumes you are getting for your pet needs to be minimal and temporary.

Before we proceed to give you some tips, check out some Rat accessories, Rat platforms and  Rat toys you could get your rats for Christmas.

Prepping your pet rats for a photoshoot

Carefully Select A Model For Your Rat

Avoid enlisting your most timid rat to be a  photo star.

Instead, choose your most adventurous rat. The one who will feel comfortable out in the open. Some rats would do well having their photos taken, while others will see it as mere torture. Always put your rats’ needs first. Never push your pet rat past its limit.

The most easy-going rats can lose their tolerance for being photographed once they hit their twilight years.

Follow a theme

Another vital step you need to take into consideration in preparing a photoshoot session for your pet is to come up with a theme. This will help you in figuring out the kind of costumes and props you may need to get for the shoot. You can either be creative or minimalist if you want.

Wear your pets only safe outfits that can be easily taken off or put on

After you have selected a theme, you can now decide on the costume to be worn. While a well-dressed rat is one of the cutest things to see, wearing your rat the right hat is often enough. This is incredibly helpful if you don’t have a sewing machine. Also, it will be less aggravating for your rat.

How to create a set for the photoshoot

1. Make sure the photoshoot takes place during the daytime, in a brightly lit room near a window with a great amount of natural light necessary for the shoot.  
2. If you use a flash to shoot, it can create red-eye,  lead to shadows in images, and end up ruining the softness of natural light. If you must use a flash, use a device that kicks out the light toward the ceiling or a close wall.
3. There is nothing worse than having a mess in the background of a photo to ruin it. Pay attention to the background. Set up a base and a backdrop for your photoshoot to avoid decluttering
4. After you get your props set up, take a few test shots without your rat to allow you to check out your composition and determine whether you have enough light then make adjustments.
5. Before getting your rat for the shoot, take some rattie treats (bribes) and some cleaning supplies to keep next to you in case your rat ends up peeing and pooping on the set. You could use a mat board as a base to protect whatever surface from unwelcome fluids.
6. Let your rat check out the area for a moment and see how it interacts with items there. Pay attention to how they react. If it is acting nervous, reassure it that it is safe. Once you’re good to go, quickly get their hat or outfit on and try your best to pose it. The opportunity is very fleeting. Hand your rat a snack if need be to keep it in place.
7. Be patient when shooting your rat. Rats rarely take to directions and would prefer doing their own thing. Pay attention to your pet's mood. Keep shoots short and give your rat lots of breaks off the set to play or just wander within a safe space.

In conclusion, you would probably get hundreds of terrible, blurry, and goofy outtakes which may make great photos. Hopefully tips we gave given in here with help you end with one perfect, frameable, and social-media-worthy shot that you could keep for a long time.