Pet photographer Ronan Nind tells Bored Panda that nowadays people want a mix of polished and quirky pet photographs. "The feedback I have always gotten has been they love that I have captured all sides of their pet's personality, from the serious perfect portraits to the silly candid ones of their pets being themselves," he tells us.

When we ask which style Ronan prefers himself, he hesitates. "As a pet photographer, I don't know if I could choose! The majority of the time, my favourites do tend to be the ones I plan out specifically to take with each breed in mind!"

Nind tells us that the best way to photograph your pet is to get down to their level. "It's hard to explain without giving examples but when you're down at their level, they will stand out so much more in front of the background than if you are [photographing] from on top of them!"

He says that all dogs leave his photoshoots perfectly content. "The pets get numerous different treats for doing things they already know, being rewarded throughout their time during their session! Not only that but they get to play with a whole bucket of different toys too," he says.

"Clients always say it is such a fun experience," he adds. "They get to see their dog playing and having fun as well as receive a beautiful gallery of memories from their special day after."

Ronan emphasizes that the photos aren't the only thing that owners get from a photoshoot experience. '"As someone once said, 'Pictures are a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone,' and it's something I live by every single day."

"So many people who have had photoshoots come back after their pet has passed to say they are so glad they had that day with them to create memories and have them forever," Ronan shares.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!