Shaun you can also use plexi glass to give it a semi reflective look... I like the mirror myself. I have the nikkon d40. I dont know exactly how yours works, but set it to the highest resolution setting mine is like 3000x2000 or somthing. Then step back and take the picture...2 foot or so, that way the whole snake is in the red box and focused. Then on your pc you can crop it for a perfectly focused sanke pic, and be able to center it better.
I am no photographer but this has worked well for me .
WOOT first post lol!