The best advice we can give you is get the best digital camera you can, take your time and have some fun. You can use a traditional 35mm camera and post prints to us if you wish but it is much quicker to take digital photos and email them. Mobile phone cameras are not usually suitable.
We have below a simple guide of do's and don'ts to help you take the best pictures:
Pet Photos - Good examples of what to do:
Subject fills frame.
In focus.
Simple background.
Good contrast with background.
Very dark and very light animals require extra care.
Generally, dark animals need highlights and light animals need shadows to show the fur correctly.
Pet Photos - Good examples of what not to do:
Flash- it is best to use natural light if possible, otherwise you get starry eyes in pets or red-eye in people.
Out of focus - this was caused by motion but can also be used in autofocus mode if the suject is not in the centre.
It is important to have a sharp photo.
Too small - subject should fill the frame.
Wrong aspect - it is best to take photos from the subjects eye level.
Pet Photos - Good examples of what to do: 
Pet Photos - Good examples of what not to do: 
