How to take better Cat Pictures -10 tips for taking professional looking cat photos indoors

So, you want to take better photos of your cat? The first thing you will need is patience and creativity. Cats are fiercely independent creatures who refuse to understand the concept of posing in front of a camera - this doesn’t mean photographing them is impossible however, you just need to plan ahead a little and use your imagination. If you follow these tips you will be able to take professional looking pictures of your cat that will make your cat loving friends green with envy.

Equipment needed

• One or more willing cats
• One camera
• Day light
• A toy
• A little soft spreadable cheese

1. Take a deep breath and relax. Tell yourself you’re doing this to have some nice quality time with your cat – and if you happen to get some good photos out of it, even better.

2. Get down to their level. If your cat is rolling around stretching in the sun by the window, then you will have to do the same. Stick around until your cat feels relaxed about having your camera nearby and you will capture those wonderful natural looking chilled moments only a cat can experience.

Try positioning your camera on the floor near your cat – you’ll be amazed what great results you can achieve by photographing from this low angle.

3. Take hundreds of photos. Your cat will become used to the sound of your camera and chances are higher you will land some great shots. Be sure you do not cut off the ears, feet or tail.

4. Seek out an uncluttered area with lots of natural light and ideally a backdrop that will compliment and enhance your cat’s coat and eyes. White walls, and wooden or tiled floors are great as they won’t distract from your cat.

Hold your camera in one hand and focus your cat’s attention with a toy. Toys that rattle, or are attached to a stick, such as feathers or sparkling, moving strands seem to work the best.This is how you can capture those beautiful big eyes doing what they do best – starring down prey!

Try throwing the toy and holding it up high and low creating different angles. Also move your camera’s position and try taking photos from a frog’s view as well as a bird’s view. You might want to use an assistant holding the toys.

5. Look at other people’s photos for inspiration

6. Try placing the cat in her favourite window (without direct sunlight) and ask your assistant to tap the window with a branch or toy. Guaranteed to catch your cat’s attention and you should be able to get some superb photos from the outside as well as the inside of the window.

7. Cats look super cute when they sleep so take advantage of your cat’s naps and get ready for some superb close ups.

8. Spread out some soft cheese on the floor or a neutral coloured plate and take a macro or close up shot of your cats tongue licking it all up.

9. Try to tell a story with your photo. For example cat spots toy, cat chases toy and cat finally catches it.

10. Play around with your camera’s settings. Turn off the flash as it will create red eyes and ruin your photos, instead only take photos in plenty of natural light as your cat’s pupil is constricted and more of the cats eye color will be seen then. Look for a setting with a ‘running man’ and use this for action shots as it means the camera will use a high shutter speed. Similarly, if you find a setting called macro that is perfect for close ups.

Good luck and I’d love to see your cat photos so feel free to post links in the comments areas :o)

This article was written by Linda Bliss. I am earning money online by writing here at HubPages.com. Would you like to earn money online too? Read the success stories and sign up today to get started!