Everyone loves cat photos. But what everyone REALLY loves is GREAT cat photos. Here’s some tips on how to up your photography game so you can capture some beautiful shots of your furry friend.
Let there be light. Lighting is super important in photography, especially for cats since their movements are so quick. If you want to capture their movements - a tongue flick, a swipe at a wand toy - you’ll need a good source of light or else it will all be a blur. Photographing near a window is very helpful and will highlight your pet’s features. Lighting is extra important when taking photos of black cats whose features may be hard to capture. The more light there is, the faster the camera will shoot. So if you want to capture crisp, clear photos open a window or turn on a lamp.
Look into their eyes. The most compelling photos are when the cat is looking directly into the camera. This helps to draw the viewer’s attention right to your cat. If they’re looking away off camera, the viewer won’t feel as much of a connection.
Make some noise! To get your cat to look at the camera, you’ll likely need to get their attention with some noisy toys or a bag of treats. Shake, jingle, and crinkle until your cat is looking right at the lens. Then quickly snap some shots. If you wave a wand toy above your camera, you may even get a cute action shot with your cat pawing for it. Win-win!
Get on their level. Try to be on the same level as your cat so you capture them at their best angle. If they’re laying on the floor, rolling in catnip, lay down on the floor and take some pix. If they’re relaxing on a chair, squat down and snap away when you’re at their eye level. While you can definitely get creative as you gain photography experience and shoot from above or below, when you’re just starting out stick to the basics and try to capture your pet at their most flattering angle.
Clean your room! Neutral backgrounds with little distractions and clutter help keep focus on your cat. You could get such a great shot of your cat doing their adorable things, but if there’s a pile of dirty laundry in the background, you may not want to post that on Instagram. Keep things clean so the viewer’s eye goes right to your cat.
Be creative. Focus on whatever you love most about your cat and what makes them unique. If they’re vocal, try getting some mid-meow shots. If they’re energetic, try getting some action shots. Maybe you’re into macro photography and want to get close ups of their tongue out or toe beans.
Have fun and try new things. Life is about making memories and you will be able to cherish your beautiful photos of your cat forever. Just don’t forget to take some of the two of you together.
Love, Nala
