p.s forgot to add that so far I am finding that Guinea Pigs are proving to be one of the trickiest subjects I have come across to get a good picture of so if anyone has good tips that the would like to pass on then I would appreciate them.
Sometimes it's down to patients if you get a naughty one that wont sit still. It's also having the confidence that pushing them around isn't going to hurt them.
I'm obviously very used to handling guineas so I don't find getting a good shot hard at all.
My set up is basically 2 bits of plywoon about 1x2ft, placed in an L shape, then with either A2 card curved over it, or a bit of white PVC table covering (because I can clean it, and it's also reflective, helping the lighting).
Setting the pig down on a slight angle and nudging their head slightly toward you so they are looking at you is the usual position. Also picking them up gently by the shoulders with one hand and putting them down again letting the front feet touch the floor first and they rest down into a more posed position.
As for needing to see someone about how many guineas I have, I get that a lot, but wouldn't change for the world! I breed and show them, it's a hobby just as much as photography is.
And those 12 girls are all just very well behaved. Hardest part was finding somewhere big enough to put them.
There are lots more photos of guineas that I have done for other people on my website in the portfolio section if you wanted to check it out...
http://marthasphotos.weebly.com