Of course, it's perfectly fine if every now and then you photograph your pet with two tails or three legs. A bigger problem would be if all of your shots came out that way!

But just like we hire photographers to immortalize some of our most important events — such as graduations and weddings — we can also book one to capture the pretty side of our pets.

Alexandra Robins, a multi-award-winning pet photographer based in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, told Bored Panda that her love for this craft began when she photographed dogs in landscapes for her final university project. "Before that, I actually always had aspirations to become a wildlife photographer but dogs were a much easier subject to get hold of for my project. My love for it grew from there and I decided to start my own business a couple of years after," she explained.

Even though pet photographers work in a more controlled environment than their colleagues working in wildlife, they still face plenty of challenges. "Young dogs and puppies sometimes have lots of energy which can lead to great action shots but it can make it tricky to create pretty portraits," Robins said. "I ask owners to walk their energetic dogs before the session."

"When photographing cats, not all of them are outgoing and they are sometimes a little timid. I've had to gently persuade them to come out of hiding with toys and treats."

Jenna Regan, a pet photographer based in Dallas, Texas, said the same thing. "The trickiest challenge I face when photographing pets is that each of them is different and requires me to adapt my approach," Regan told Bored Panda. "All these decisions and connections are happening pretty quickly with pets I've likely just met."

"I have to be prepared and guide my clients and their pets into the best possible situations for their needs. I can't start a session expecting each pet to react the same way or be ready or willing to do the same things as any other previous pet. It's important to stay patient, read the pet's body language, and set the pet up for success."

But this means that you as a pet owner are a good candidate to photograph them should you choose to do so. After all, there's no one who knows them better than you do.

Plus, the whole experience can be pleasant for your pet just as much as for you. Regan, who chose this career path after taking a photography class in her last year of college, said that it all depends on the way you approach it. "One tip is to set yourself and your pet up for success by making it fun and incorporating your pet's favorite things and activities. Before your pet is in front of the camera, decide where, when, and how."

"Using my puppy, an 8-month-old Catahoula named Rowdy, as an example, I know he would do better in a quieter environment with fewer distractions so that's the type of location I'd be looking for," the photographer explained. "Also, I know he is high-energy, so we are going to play and explore for quite a while before I start photographing him. I'd have all his favorite treats and toys so I could keep his attention and make it interesting. And since he is young and still so much a puppy, I also wouldn't worry as much about whether he is sitting, standing, or positioned a certain way as long as he was focusing on me and listening."

Her number one tip is to simply be patient and go with the flow. "I often find my favorite photos and moments during a photography session occur when I'm truly letting each pet be themselves and explore and interact in their own way," Regan said.

"I'm a big fan of bribery. I always make sure to reward the pets I photograph with their favorite things whether it's toys, treats, attention, or even all three. And the bottom line is really to remember to have fun with it! Keep photographing, rewarding your pet, and making it fun. Both you and your pet will get better and better at it!"

Alexandra Robins added that doing some homework can go a long way too. "Learning animal behavior and doing research on the animals you photograph will help you a huge deal when it comes to managing them and more importantly, you learn what not to do so that your pet is always happy and comfortable," she explained.

Speaking of specifics, Robins said that getting down to the animal's level will allow you to get the best, most flattering angles.

"Yummy treats on hand or squeaky noises will help get them to look at you although, don't overuse these too much or they may get bored. Avoid photographing them in harsh, bright sun or dark spots like under lots of trees. Keep an eye out for any dark shadows and make sure they're evenly lit instead. I shoot when it's overcast or under light shade."

Most importantly, don't force anything and don't rush your pet. "Take your time and even take playtime breaks," Robins said. "They are in tune with our emotions and can tell when we are stressed which will reflect on them."