Like the pets of any self-respecting millennial, my cats have their own Instagram account. How to take better photos of your pets: tips and tricks to get them looking their best.

Noodle and Loaf – aka Carb Cats – aren’t exactly celebrities. But they are used to having their photos taken a lot. Between their Instagram account, my regular need to test smartphone cameras, and the fact that they are two adorable idiots, I’ve taken on an unofficial household role as pet photographer.

A good camera will certainly bring advantages, but a better phone camera might be more beneficial – and is probably cheaper. The best bang for your buck is in lighting. A cheap $40 softbox light from Raleno helps bring out details and stops indoor shots from looking too flat or too yellow.

The settings: the big one is shutter speed. Most pets aren’t great at sitting still, and you’re probably used to taking photos that are ruined by motion blur. A faster shutter speed, which shortens the exposure time, can capture sharper shots of moving subjects. Burst mode on iPhones works similarly for when you're trying to catch a dog mid-run or a cat darting after a toy.

Drop to eye level: get on their level – don’t shoot your pet from standing; pop a squat and take a photo from head-on, just like you would if you were photographing a person. Shots from standing look less considered and lower effort, and it’s harder to frame them against a good backdrop or get that bokeh blur.

Break out the toys and treats: even a free-spirited pet can be manipulated a little. Treats and toys are the best ways to maneuver most animals into position and control their attention. Direct eye contact can produce brilliant photos, but some of my favorites have the cats looking off at an angle. The key is to make sure you’re still capturing their eyes, whether it’s head-on or not.