Colorful silk scarves make excellent backgrounds for pet photos. These make the animals happy, since they like to feel of them. The colors just pop out when they are used as a background or the pet is laying on them.
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The best way for me to take photos of pets is next to a big window. It's always a good detraction, and you can control how much light comes through, with filters and shutter speed.
If you are trying to get your pet to pose for a good picture:
