Become familiar with your equipment
Once you’ve got the hang of setting up your camera, try taking your shots from all sorts of creative angles to get some truly unique snaps. From mid-pounce action shots to captivating portraits, the possibilities are endless when it comes to capturing your furry pal in all their glory.
Have Patience
I bet you didn’t see this coming first, huh? This is the primary thing I cover when I give my workshops. I often start by saying, “Before I begin, I want everyone to take a deep breath… and lower your expectations,” which always generates laughter from cat parents who know how difficult it can be to get a great shot. The truth is, getting the perfect photo of your cat is not easy.
Getting that shot can take many, many tries. It’s easy to get frustrated in the moment, especially when you can envision the finished product and are a few milliseconds away from achieving the shot, only to have the cat suddenly bound off down the hallway. I’m not suggesting that you have to be Dalai Lama levels of zen, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s essential to approach the situation with flexible, fluid ideas and a number of plan Bs. You (and your cat) will be way happier with the results.
Be Natural
Every photographer has their own style, and mine always leans heavily into the laissez-faire category. This means that I almost never attempt to pose a cat. Not only will they have no idea what you’re trying to achieve, but it often upsets them in the process. I’m pretty well aware of my cats’ habits and preferences, so I have little issue getting them warmed up. If they’re a client’s cat, I dedicate a portion of the shoot to allow them to acclimate to me in their space.
I show them my camera while offering them treats or toys to temper any anxiety. Once they’re rubbing their cheeks on my gear and allowing me to pet them freely, it’s go time. Without question, the best photos of cats come when they’re comfortable with you and their surroundings. This gives them the freedom to show off their unique personality.
Let There Be Light
After your cats are comfortable and feeling photogenic, I suggest finding a good, neutral light source in your space. Typically, this is a window. I won’t bore you with info about the white-light temperature spectrum, but natural sunlight is some of the best there is; it won’t heavily influence the colors in your photo. Find a good spot where the light pours through and use that as your stage. It’s important to remember to take pictures from the side or with your back to the light source. If your cat is eclipsing the light source, you’ll end up with unusable shots that are super shadowy and blown out.
Get Low
You can unlock a whole new perspective by getting on the same level or below your cat. We are so accustomed to seeing the world from several feet in the air, which ends up looking super boring if we take photos from that level, too. Try getting on your stomach and taking some shots from very low to the ground, from the same POV as your cat. You’ll be able to depict things very differently, and I always feel like this gives animals renewed agency as unique individuals.
Toys Are Your Friend
With all the other variables in place, we’re finally ready to start snapping photos. There are a few tricks to getting cats to look into the camera’s lens, which in turn appears as though they’re staring directly at the audience. My favorite method relies on two components: sight and sound. My go-to tools are crinkle balls and wand toys, the former being a bit easier to manipulate while taking photos.
Similar to how a magician performs a sleight of hand trick, make plenty of noise with the toy in your free hand (the one not holding the camera) and wave it around to draw attention. Once the cat is dialed in on the toy, quickly bring it behind the camera or on top of the lens. Take your photo, and voila, the cat’s looking at you. This can also have the beneficial effect of freezing the cat’s motion in place if they’re seriously locked in on the toy. You don’t always have to get photos of cats looking toward the camera, but it can be absolutely crucial for adoption photos, where every heartstring pulled counts.
Note: Always, always, always take more photos than you think you need. I’m constantly in burst mode with my equipment. Burst mode dramatically increases the chances that one of the photos you’re taking will be usable. With cats playing or on the move, you’ll have a much better opportunity to capture their motion cleanly.
