There’s something uniquely mesmerizing about rabbits—the gentle way they twitch their noses, the deliberate little hops, the tilt of their heads when something piques their curiosity. And yet, when you point a camera their way? Blur. Disinterest. A blob of fluff mid-hop or a sulky loaf in shadow. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to take stunning rabbit content, but you do need to think like one for a moment. Let’s break it down.
Let the Light Speak
Before you tap record or snap the shutter, pause. Where’s the light? Rabbits photograph best when lit naturally, not blasted with LED beams. Instead of turning on overhead lights or relying on your flash (please don’t), position your rabbit near a window during mid-morning or late afternoon. That’s when shadows are soft and warm tones play nice. Using soft window light makes a noticeable difference in how your rabbit’s fur texture appears—what once looked flat and muddy comes alive with detail and warmth.
Phone Settings That Do the Heavy Lifting
Most smartphones today can outperform old DSLRs—if you know what to toggle. The trick? Let the rabbit do its thing, but stay ready. Many pet photographers rely on use continuous autofocus mode to track slight movements while keeping fur crisp. Pair this with burst mode and you’ll catch the micro-movements—the blink, the sniff, the paw stretch—that would otherwise be gone in a blink. Skip zooming. Step closer instead, and tap the screen to lock both focus and exposure. That’s how you get clarity.
Finish with the Frame
You’ve got your shot. But it still looks... off. A little crooked. Too much space on one side. Or maybe the colors feel flat. This is where post-processing steps in—not to falsify, but to finish. Use a tool that lets you edit images with precision: crop out distractions, balance brightness, and adjust sharpness. Editing doesn’t have to be heavy-handed. Sometimes, all it takes is straightening a horizon line or softening shadows around the face to transform an OK photo into one that gets saved, shared, and remembered.
Don’t Hover—Level With Them
There’s a reason photos taken from above feel distant. They flatten your rabbit into a pancake, robbing the shot of depth and connection. To add presence and intimacy to your image, photograph at rabbit eye level. Sit or lie flat if needed. Your goal isn’t just to capture what your rabbit looks like—it’s to let viewers feel what it’s like to be eye-to-eye with them. This angle also highlights proportions and makes facial features pop. It’s not about realism. It’s about resonance.
Freeze the Flop
Ever tried catching a binky mid-air? Blink and it’s gone. Rabbits are fast, and video can help, but if you’re chasing that single frame—the leap, the twist, the shake—burst mode is your best friend. Use your phone’s high-speed capture feature, then sift through later. Many rabbit parents have discovered that using burst mode to capture quick action preserves the moment in a way regular snaps simply can’t. It's not about taking fewer photos; it's about taking more intentional ones and choosing the frame that lands.
Set the Scene—Then Disappear
One of the biggest mistakes people make? Overhandling. Trying to make the rabbit “pose” by positioning ears or holding treats out of frame. Don’t. You’ll end up with a stressed bunny and stiff photos. Instead, create a setting where they feel at ease, then wait. Rabbits are curious when relaxed. To get that yawn, stretch, or tilt, familiar background helps rabbits stay relaxed. Choose an uncluttered corner of your home they already trust. A soft rug, a neutral wall, a spot where they loaf often. Their comfort shows up in every frame.
Understand How Light Really Works
Natural light is ideal—but not always possible. If you're shooting indoors at night or in a dim room, resist the urge to flip on every bulb. The goal isn’t more light—it’s better light. Using diffused lighting improves photo quality by bouncing it off a white wall, sheer curtain, or foam board. You’ll eliminate harsh shadows and avoid that eerie red-eye look. In video especially, diffused light brings out the richness of fur and softens movement, making clips feel more cinematic than chaotic.
Great rabbit photos come from quiet attention. Not from setups or stunts, but from noticing—the shift in posture, the flick of an ear, the stillness before a hop. Good lighting, patient framing, and natural behavior do more than elevate the image. They reveal character. When the scene feels calm, the rabbit reveals itself. And when that moment is caught just right, no caption is needed.
Discover the secrets to a long and joyful life for your rabbit at All Things Rabbits and ensure your bun gets the best care possible!
Cindy Aldridge