Chances are good you have hundreds of cat pictures on your phone or camera, but you’re NOT a cat person. Isn’t that how a cat’s beauty is supposed to be? It doesn’t have to be a pain getting dynamic pictures of your cat. I’m not saying you can’t take tons of photos of your pet for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and everything in between. Of course you won’t cuteness your pets properly, but there are some simple things you can do and this way when you do, your pets cuteness will really show.
In this blog I kicked off by talking about some super easy ways to capture your cats beauty, personality, uniqueness. You’ll also learn how to light it, what to light it with, and specifically where to place the subject every time so you snap the best shot.
1. Choose the Right Lighting
My secret to good photo lighting. Natural light is your friend in the end of your day in photography and it will bring out the best of your cats eyes and coat. Here’s how to use lighting effectively:
- Natural light: Take some photos outside or near a window if you can, during the day. The soft sunlight will not, I don’t think, be too hard on your cat’s features, but shadows will.
- Avoid flash: Most of the time, in most photos your cat’s eyes will appear that way because most often your cat’s eyes appear to glow due to flash or the photo is unnatural. A soft and indirect light source will do in place of the one you need more light with.
- Golden hour: Artificial soft and warm light create a magic glance on your photos, almost like a dream.
2. Get On Their Level
The truth is, cats are really small creatures, and why would you want a good perspective when you are that much higher. To capture your cat in their best light:
- Lower yourself: Then pretend yourself down to that level as your cat. This basically how you’d try doing this by taking the more intimate and even more natural shot of your cat’s true personality.
- Eye-level shots: Instead try and catch your cat on face. With gazes, you can tell a story by photographing it.
3. Focus on Their Eyes
A cat face is full of extremely striking features and… it’s eyes. To make them stand out in your photos:
- Focus on the eyes: Look for your cat’s eyes and make sure your camera or phone points at them. The eyes, people come in from they’re sharp, and they’re clear is it so.
- Catch their gaze: They’re such a natural lure to start with, but to be honest when they stare right into the camera there’s something you put on that makes that photo really work and make it completely lose any kind of natural-ness.
- Be patient: So patience or the cat will have to look at the camera sometimes. If you want to get them to pay attention, then use treats or toys.
4. Scene Using Props
Props are fun in a photo, but don’t let your cat be the prop and not the props. Here are some ideas:
- Simple backgrounds: Don’t over do the background and make it simple so your cat remains the star. It may be a plain wall or a soft bed or cozy chair.
- Fun accessories: The photos of the cat wearing hats or scarves or catgy toys aren’t that bad, but just keep them minimal and then play and don’t do much else because you’re going to take away from the star of the photo.
- Baskets and blankets: Cute Shot: Cats really really like the idea of sitting in a nice little basket or in a soft blanket.
5. Capture Their Personality
There’s no such thing as making a photo great without some sort of a personality. Here are some ways to bring out their charm:
- Playful moments: Use that if your cat loves to play. I saw photos of them running after something, jumping, throwing a ball or playing with another toy.
- Cuddly shots: Cats, too, are and they like sleeping, and they’re sweet too when they purr, or cuddle and take a picture of them: you too can get some snuggly, sweet shots.
- Funny expressions: And yes, cats do put funny, quirk expressions. That’s not to say that you need to be afraid to get those slightly goofy shots of your cat doing something unexpected or pulling a goofy face.
6. If you’re going to use one, you would use Burst Mode *to take Action Shots.*
If they are running or leaping or playing they can really be so fast. To ensure you get the perfect shot:
- Burst mode: Your camera or smart phone has burst mode that allows you to take many photos quickly. This will get you a good action shot.
- Look for the best moment: You often don’t get it right the first time. Just as you’re snapping, you keep going until you get the one you want
7. Extra Magic Edit Your Photos
But don’t forget to edit those photos you shot after that, because beautiful as they are now, you can make them even more beautiful if you want! Here are a few simple editing tips:
- Adjust the brightness: When you’ve specs just the way you want for your photo, you’ll start to see all the detail of your cat in his fur and eyes till it looks exactly like you want.
- Crop the photo: Thirdly, try putting some distractions or anything beside the background that you don’t need. The stronger photo is when you’re focusing on your cat.
- Enhance colors: This little bit of saturating your cats coat will just make the colour of your cats coat that much more noticeable.
8. Be Patient and Have Fun!
Don’t think that the path to beautiful photos of your cat is always a quick process. Cats aren’t predictable. They won’t do what you want when you want it. Wait, don’t go too fast, enjoy that moment with your cat. You will take some of the best photos when you are relaxed and having a good time.
Closing Thoughts
And I can tell you right now, it takes a lot of patience to be able to take a great cat photo, and just what does work and what doesn’t. Good lighting, on your cat’s level, and showing their personality — that can help you get good photos of your cat and make them feel good about being a subject. Don’t be afraid to play around, and that means both in your settings, props and angles. Have fun doing it above all else. Yes, the beauty of your cat is something of it’s own, so you should show it off right.