How To Take Spectacular
Pictures of Cats

When capturing cat portraits, one needs to take into account 5 key elements:

1. Planning

2. Preparing the Location

3. Photographic Requirements

4. Lighting

5. What We Euphemistically Call "Posing"

As we know, cats are unpredictable. They can be shy, often moody, set in their ways, but still very cute.

Cats are feline models in front of the camera, with their natural grace and beauty.

I'm stretching here, but there is probably not one pose or position that would result in bad pictures of cats. However, to achieve outstanding photographs, 3 things are required: planning, patience and props.

Props

Wonderful photographic results can easily be achieved using simple backgrounds and props.

To capture terrific cat pictures, everything imaginable should be worked out before you bring your pet to the scene.

But, realize that even if that is accomplished, things will still not go according to plan.

After all, we are working with the most independent species on the planet.

Here are some prop ideas to get your creative juices started:

• Drape a textured blanket over a recliner or couch and just wait.

• Once a prop is identified, experiment with placing it on the floor or holding it

• Buckets, baskets, boxes, and toy trucks are known for producing classic pictures of cats. Try to capture your cats peering over the edge of the prop

• Experiment with a single rose lying on the floor. When you shoot, make sure the flower is not in the cat's shadow, and that both the rose and cat are in focus.

Patience

You need a lot of patience at this point. Shutter speed is critical, especially if you're attempting action shots.

Cats can move very quickly without much warning. Therefore begin with a shutter speed of at least 1/200th of a second.

If you're not using a flash (which is a last resort only), there may not be enough light to use a fast shutter speed. Change your ISO setting to at least 400, and go even higher if necessary, as long as digital noise is not produced.

Lighting

Choices

Contrary to most beliefs, the best condition for taking pictures of cats is a reasonably bright, but overcast day with natural outside light.

Cat Color and Your Flash

The key point to remember is to NOT use your camera's flash when taking pictures of cats. What usually happens is that your feline model winds up with "green eyes," the cat equivalent of red eyes. In addition, a flash will scare many cats.

Therefore, try to not use the flash. Either shoot outside in natural light or indoors where there is plenty of light coming in from the windows and falling on your cat. Position your cat near the window, open the blinds or drapes all the way and go for it.

Let's face it... if you're reading this, you probably love cats. And of course, you just know yours is the cutest one around, right?

To make everyone else jealous, simply use the form below to upload your favorite cat pictures and be sure to tell us the "story" that goes with it. Who knows, your fantastic feline may even become featured on this page!

Since only ONE photo per page is allowed, feel free to add more than one page. For any questions, see the "Help notes" below.

Click below to see cute cats from around the globe...

Just Hanging Around 
My uncle's cat just had this litter and I loved this picture. Hope you do too.

My Tongue Hurts  Not rated yet
Zoe was doing her thing and I was waiting with my camera for "the moment." After 20 minutes, I got this little tongue gem.

Preparing the Location

If you buy fabric remnants, choose the colors to compliment your subject's eyes and other minor points.

Definitely avoid using backdrops that are the similar enough in color to a major part of the cat because you will loose edge definition between the cat and the backdrop.

As a guideline, pick fabrics with pronounced textures and avoid patterns. You want a fabric which nicely compliments your cat while not drawing attention away from them.

Photographic Requirements

You will only need a telephoto lens if you have plenty of time to sit and unobtrusively watch your pet from a distance. Therefore, any lens under 100mm will do (as long as it's not a wide angle).

A tripod is recommended, as it will be for most photography. But realistically, unless you can operate one with ease, you probably don't want to begin your tripod experience by using it to take pictures of cats.

The time to use a tripod is when the cat is lounging around or gazing out the window. Another time is, when they are on the prowl. I've seen them remain motionless for minutes while staging a surprise attack. That's a good time to use a tripod.

To avoid taking pictures of cats in a back-lit situation (as is shown in the above photo), position yourself BETWEEN the windows and the cat.

Avoid shooting your cat while positioned in front of a window. If this happens, you will wind up with a very nice silhouette of your fabulous feline, without being able to see any of their features.

If you can arrange things so that there is enough natural light, refrain from taking any pictures of cats with a flash unless your cat is black.

An attached flash will often cause red-eye (actually "green eye") while a remote flash (not attached to the camera) will bring out the texture and shading of a black cat.

A white or light toned feline will generally reflect enough light in most indoor areas under normal room light conditions. A medium gray or calico may reflect enough light to get some good pictures of cats.

What We Euphemistically Call "Posing"

In fact, given the opportunity, they’ll try to run away and hide under the bed until the camera is put away. (How they know when the camera is gone, and therefore safe to come back out is beyond explanation.)

If this happens to you, don’t get discouraged or frustrated. We have some tips that will help to produce pictures of cats that you'll be very happy with.

Given enough time and patience, you will capture many terrific cat pictures. However, unlike people and other pets such as dogs, you almost need to be ready, camera in hand, with the location perfectly set up already.

Then you train the camera on your cat and wait for opportunity to present itself. Also, some of the best pictures are when a cat is in their favorite spot, just relaxing.

Is It Possible to Pose ANY Cat?

Then, use one of your cat's favorite toys that is at least 10 inches long, such as a feather on a stick.

Get the cat's attention and then pull the toy toward the camera, moving it behind and out of the frame. Then take the cat picture. Your goal is to get the cat really focused on the toy (whether the toy is in the frame or not). To capture pictures of cats with really penetrating stares, get the cat's attention while the toy is several inches behind the camera.

Get Down To Your Pet's Level - Change Angles

There are countless other interesting angles everywhere. Don't be shy. If you want spectacular pictures of cats, try shooting from unique perspectives.

Stand on a chair and shoot directly down at your cat while you're making noises so they look at you. Get right under a cat tree. If you have a zoom lens, try zooming in and getting a close face shot.

Or if you’re in an interesting environment pull back and capture the whole scene. Once you get comfortable trying creative angles, your photography will move up to the next level.

Trick for Making Your Cat Stand Still

Of course before you try this, place an object on the table where the cat will be placed, and set up your camera on a tripod pre-focused to the test object (at the eye-level of the cat).

As your cat sits there frozen, trying to figure out what's going on, get its attention so she moves her head and looks at you. You never knew what a great prop a glass table was for capturing outstanding pictures of cats, did you?

Cat Close Ups

Take several photos moving slightly in and slightly out, so that following cropping, you will have just the look you want.

Zoom lenses might be easier to work with, since you can still get close-up pictures of cats without physically moving (so your cat isn't spooked and runs away). When using a zoom, beware of getting too much of the background in the frame. Use as small an F-stop number as your camera allows to blur out the background. If needed, use a higher ISO number too.

Also be sure to allot enough time for catching candid poses. Cats work according to their schedules, not yours.

Final Thought

Often the best pictures of cats are taken by chance. Patience is your greatest photography tool, so use it to wait for your cat to relax and then capture those classics.

Once you capture that perfect pretty-kitty picture, you can do gobs of unique and creative things with it.

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