12 Animal Photobombs – Because Animals Don’t Listen to Directions

Photographers are always chasing the perfect picture — perfect light, perfect framing, perfect camera settings to capture the perfect details. But sometimes, our non-human companions have an agenda of their own. Or, they just really don’t care about your picture and are going to do what they do regardless.

Whether it’s sneakily showing up in the background, or getting right in front of the lens at the exact moment the shutter snaps, these critters just couldn’t resist their moment of fame.  Sure, these animal photobombs may have technically ruined the shots, but come on. It’s worth it, right?

animal photobomb
Image by Jonathan Nightingale. 

This eagle may look like a planned part of the picture, but, says the photographer, he was actually just trying to snap the rocks and the ocean.


Looking for some more expert advice for how to include pets in your family photography? Expert, Norah Levine has your covered! Her FREE class goes live on August 24th-25th, 2016. At the very least, watch it for some adorable animals!

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“So much for my serene ‘rocks and foggy ocean’ composition. Thanks, buddy.” writes photographer Jonathan Nightingale. 

animal photobomb
Image by Heather Smithers

“Oh hey, were we taking pictures? Cool.” — Reindeer

cat photobomb
Image by Mike Lewinski

“Suddenly, a cat!” notes photographer Mike Lewinski.

animal photobomb
Image by James Niland

“I really wanted to take a photo of this rusty old car,” writes photographer James Niland, “but the curious horses wouldn’t let me.”

chihuahua photobomb
Image by Tommi Virtanen

If I was a gambling woman, I would wager that photographer Tommi Virtanen probably has a lot of photos like this.

animal photobomb
Antonis Lamnatos

This one is pretty stealthy.

animal photobomb
Image by Eric Kilby

Photographer Eric Kilby managed to capture an illusive animal-on-animal photobomb.

animal photobomb
Karen Datangel

So did Karen Datangel.

animal photobomb
Image by SJ Bennett

Ok, so maybe animals actually do this to each other a lot.

“An adult nankeen night heron photobombs a young nankeen night heron at Perth Zoo” writes photographer SJ Bennett.

animal photobomb
Image by SJ Bennett

…It’s actually pretty common, as evidenced by photographer Karen Borter, though in this one, it’s a little unclear as to who the subject is, and who’s sneaking into the frame.

animal photobomb
Image by WaiferX

The war between cats and dogs is very real, and will be waged, evidently, by looming in the background of photos.


Looking for some more expert advice for how to include pets in your family photography? Expert, Norah Levine has your covered! Her FREE class goes live on August 24th-25th, 2016. At the very least, watch it for some adorable animals!

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Hanna Brooks Olsen is a writer and editor for CreativeLive, longtime reporter, and the co-founder of Seattlish. Follow her on Twitter at @mshannabrooks or go to her website for more stuff.