Understand Your Cat’s Personality
Each kitty has their own comfort zone, and knowing what makes them tick can help ensure a successful photo shoot. Take note of what your cat enjoys doing most—if they’re pouncing on playthings, napping in sunbeams, or investigating the contents of the junk drawer. This will allow you to customize the shoot to whatever makes them most comfortable.
An active kitty enjoys capturing high-speed shots with crinkly or jingly playthings. At the same time, a bashful cat delights in more subtle pleasures snuggled up in warm fleece. Oksana, a cat breeder at Kitty Land, recommends photographing your cat doing what they do best. Those candid, un-staged moments are where they really shine!
Emphasize their unique postures and habits in your shots. Or get a shot of the cat that loves to stretch out or the one that sunbathes by the window. By showcasing these tendencies, their personality really shines through the images.
Choose the Right Time for Photos
Timing is everything and can absolutely ruin or set up your shoot for success. Cats are more active after waking from a nap or after eating, so try to time your session within these windows. Don’t shoot when they’re waking up or super annoyed or else you’ll have a no-photographing cat on your hands.
Soft, even light is crucial. Early mornings and afternoons typically offer the best natural light to capture sharp, colorful photos. Monitor your cat’s energy so they stay interested and attentive during the shoot.
Create a Calm and Comfortable Space
The more comfortable and relaxed your cat feels, the better your pictures will turn out! Plan the shoot in a warm, inviting place where your cat feels comfortable, such as their go-to room in your house. Soft bedding or blankets will help keep them cozy.
Keep loud noises or other pets that might distract from your subject’s focus out of the area to help them stay calm. If you’re shooting at home, you’ll typically find yourself needing a space of 6-10 feet square. If your cat enjoys exploring, giving them more space is definitely worth it!
You want to make sure your room is a nice, ambient temperature to keep them as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
Gather Essential Photography Equipment
No doubt, having the right gear helps take your photos to the next level. Your camera doesn’t have to be intimidating, just the right fit for you and what you’re trying to achieve. With lenses, you have so much creative flexibility.
Consider using wider lenses for full-body shots and zoom lenses for amazing close-ups of their whiskers or paws. Indoor shoots benefit from extra lighting like softboxes, while a tripod helps prevent blurriness, especially if your cat moves unexpectedly.
Even small accessories, such as toys, can work to get that eye contact and playful pose.
Setting Up the Perfect Background
Use Natural Light for Soft Effects
Natural light is key for cat photography. Set up your cat in a location with indirect light to create soft, even lighting that flatters their features. Early morning or late afternoon light offers a soft, warm glow, whereas midday sun often creates unflattering shadows.
If harsh shadows are present, pick up a small white reflector or a sheet of white cardboard. Bonus tip: use it to reflect light back on your cat to fill in those shadowy spots. Try out different times of the day to find when the light will complement your cat’s colored fur the best.
Experiment with Indoor and Outdoor Settings
Indoor environments provide a sense of comfort and authority. Utilize cozy nooks or bright corners of your house to make captivating images.
In the deep outdoors, your backyard or a local park can provide beautiful, natural backgrounds, like moving leaves and flowers. Photograph your cat while they are exploring or relaxing for interesting, active scenes. Never leave them unattended and always keep them safe with a secure harness or pet seatbelt.
Incorporate Simple and Creative Backdrops
A plain background, such as white paper or fabric, helps draw all the attention on your cat. Simple DIY ideas, such as colored cardboard, do the trick just as well.
To add visual interest, experiment with textured or patterned materials, making sure they match or coordinate with your cat’s fur.
Add Textures with Blankets and Rugs
Layer soft blankets or woven rugs for texture and warmth. Pick colors that aren’t too contrasting or jarring to your kitty’s coat.
Keep props to a minimum so they don’t create clutter.
Include Houseplants for a Natural Touch
Having a few strategically placed cat-safe plants—like spider plants—adds color and depth.
Use plants to frame your cat or provide a foreground/background element to give the photo depth.
Using Props to Enhance Photos
Use Toys to Engage Your Cat
Playtime Toys are a wonderful tool to use to bring out your cat’s playful side during a photo shoot.
Interactive toys, like feather wands and jingly balls, help your cat stay fit and happy. They offer unlimited chances to let your cat go wild! Capturing action shots of your cat leaping or pawing brings a whole new level of excitement to your photos.
To capture them looking and producing interesting expressions, try using toys to draw their attention to the camera. Just like people, cats enjoy new things, so rotating toys will keep them excited and ensure no two play sessions are the same.
This method is effective whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or the zoom on your smartphone.
Try Unique Props like Teacups or Baskets
Teacups and baskets can add a lot of cuteness factor to your photos too, particularly for small adult cats or kittens. Setting your kitty in a basket or next to a teacup gives the image an adorable, fairy-tale appearance.
Just remember to select props that are safe and correctly sized. These props can even have a story—that a kitten is hiding in a basket of yarn. Adjusting angles, such as shooting from above or at eye level, can accentuate these features in artistic ways.
Add Visual Interest with Flowers or Felt Balls
Vibrant blooms and fuzzy felted balls bring in a little color here and there. Arrange them around your cat to frame the scene gorgeously.
For instance, using soft pastels can give your scene a dreamy quality. Using bright, saturated colors can add an energetic feel. Felt balls make great toys, as you can see playful and more-serene moments were both captured.
Be sure that any props you use are safe and non-toxic to your cat!
Incorporate Seasonal or Holiday-Themed Items
Seasonal props—such as pumpkins in the fall or evergreen garlands in winter—help make your photos feel timely and festive. Decorating with seasonal props, like mini Santa hats or Easter eggs, introduces another playful element.
Incorporating seasonal colors, such as red and green at Christmas, pulls everything together. It can even turn into an annual family tradition, with a new theme each season or holiday.
Capturing Stunning Cat Photos
1. Focus on Their Eyes for Impact
Your cat’s eyes can convey a world of emotion, and if done right they can be the main focus of your photo. Using a shallow depth of field, like f/2.8 or less, helps ensure the eyes are in focus. This technique subtly blurs the background, accentuating the subject with a stunning effect.
When shot in natural light during golden hours, their eye color pops, as well as that soft sparkle that makes their eyes so special. If you’re shooting indoors, set your cat up in a spot near a window to get that beautiful diffused light. Filling the frame to accentuate their look—be it inquisitive, serene, or mischievous—injects feeling into the photo that draws in the audience.
2. Get Close for Intricate Details
Up close, you can really appreciate features such as the exquisite texture of their fur or the graceful curve of a whisker. A macro lens, like the Canon 100mm f/2.8, is great for getting the detailed features of animals’ paws. It can even make their expressive toe beans look gorgeous.
You’ll need a very steady hand or a tripod for this to prevent blurriness. These extremely detailed close-ups are an amazing way to capture your cat’s unique beauty in stunning detail, creating treasured keepsakes.
3. Capture Playful and Relaxed Moments
Action shots with a favorite treat or toy show how dynamic your cat can be, and shots of them chilling will capture the peaceful, mellow side of their personality. A burst mode can help you freeze action shots or catch their dainty little yawns.
Remember, patience pays off. Some of the best photos come when you’re not even trying.
4. Explore Unique Angles and Perspectives
Sometimes experimenting with angles can turn the most ordinary shots into something extraordinary. Experiment with the widest wide-angle lenses you have for dramatic environmental compositions, or shoot at eye level for a cat’s-eye view.
The rule of thirds encourages off-center compositions while still creating balance and visual interest.
5. Use Reflections for Creative Shots
Reflections in mirrors or placid water surfaces add an artistic flair to your photos. Get creative—place your cat in front of a puddle or use reflective glass to get a double exposure effect!
Experiment with perspectives to highlight interesting symmetry or interestingly warped features, creating more dynamic shots.
6. Play with Depth of Field for Emphasis
Using a wider aperture will create some background blur, ensuring all attention is drawn to your cat. A shallow depth of field helps you isolate distinct features, such as their nose or paws, making them really stand out.
After trying this technique out, you can use it to guide your viewer’s attention where it needs to go.
7. Try Off-Center Compositions for Balance
Composing your cat outside of the center makes for visually interesting and exciting photos. Applying the rule of thirds goes a long way in balancing the elements in your frame.
Negative space is a great way to focus your viewer’s attention on your kitty subject. Harmony is very easily achieved with this one simple adjustment.
8. Highlight Their Curiosity and Movements
Cats exploring their environment always create great candid shots. A longer lens (such as a 70-200mm) allows you to photograph them from a distance and still get crisp, clean images.
High shutter speeds can freeze any moment of motion, capturing a playful leap or curious sniff in crisp detail.
Tips for a Smooth Photo Shoot
Be Patient and Observe Their Behavior
With patience and practice, you’ll be able to capture your cat’s unique personality. Don’t force your cat into certain poses or rush them, and allow your cat to decide the flow of the session. This technique will produce natural, candid images full of emotion.
Pay close attention to their body language. If you notice them beginning to swish their tails or pin their ears back, that is your cue to give them a break. Hold out for the best shot! You’ll get your greatest shots when your cat is yawning or turns their head quizzically.
It’s just as important to stay calm yourself. Cats are very sensitive to energy, and a positive, mellow vibe will help them feel at ease. For jumpy or easily frightened cats, a telephoto lens keeps you farther away so the cat doesn’t feel cornered or pressured.
Use Treats to Keep Them Engaged
Food rewards can be magical during a photo shoot. Small, flavorful treats can help direct your cat’s focus to the camera. Holding the treat next to your lens can help guide their attention, and giving the dog a treat after the shoot will teach them to behave.
Dogs and cats that are motivated by treats may even learn to do basic behaviors on cue, such as sit or look away. Keep their favorite snacks nearby to easily bring the focus back if they lose interest.
Avoid Overwhelming Your Cat with Long Sessions
Bite-sized sessions trump long, drawn-out ones. As mentioned, cats can be sensitive to overstimulation so pay attention to their energy levels to prevent stressing them out.
If you plan a few short shoots, you can get new moments to shoot without rushing them. A relaxed cat is an easy-to-work-with cat, and allowing for downtime keeps everything fun and pleasant.
Take Breaks to Maintain Comfort
Regular breaks are necessary to ensure a comfortable and happy kitty. Use this opportunity to provide a drink of water or something simple to rejuvenate them.
Providing a calm, private place to rest allows them to re-energize. These pauses let you reassess your setup and adjust, making the most of your session.
If they ever show up, silent shutter functions can be a real lifesaver in these moments, making sure you don’t interrupt their calm serenity.