Cats are probably the most popular pet in the world. That’s not to say that dogs aren’t great, but cats just have their own unique appeal! If you want to capture the magic of cats in your photos, here are some tips on how to do so:

Cat photos 101

You’ve probably heard that cats are great models. They’re famous for sitting still for hours, and they’re curious about almost anything you put in front of them.

But what if your cat doesn’t like the idea of posing for the camera? Maybe it’s too busy sleeping or grooming itself, or maybe it hates the flash and won’t sit still long enough to take a photo without running away. In this section, we’ll give you some tips on how to get your cat to pose for you!

The best camera gear for cat photography

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a camera for cat photography is the autofocus system. You want the camera to be able to focus quickly and accurately, so that you can get your shot without missing out on any action.

Another important feature is weight, as you will be carrying this thing around all day while trying to photograph cats on the move. A good rule of thumb here is that lighter is better; if you find a heavy camera difficult to carry around all day, it’s going to take some getting used to before you become comfortable enough with it in order for it not be distracting during a shoot!

Another factor worth paying attention too would be battery life: if your battery dies half way through shooting an animal who doesn’t sit still (like most cats), then expect disappointment instead of happy snaps!

Capture natural reactions from your cat

The best way to capture a cat’s natural reactions is simply to wait for them. Cats are creatures of habit, so you can get some pretty great photos by just sitting by and waiting for your kitty to do something cute or unexpected. For example, if your cat normally sleeps on the floor but has recently been sleeping on the bed, it may not be long before she jumps back down again!

You should also photograph your cat when she isn’t expecting you to capture her image — this will help keep her from looking too posed or unnatural. It might take some time before your cat becomes accustomed to having her photo taken (and vice versa), which is why it’s important not to force her into any situations where she doesn’t feel comfortable—especially if she has a history of aggression toward people or other animals in the past.

How to find a good location for cat photos

The location is an important part of the shot, as it’s what gives your cat its background. The first step to finding a good location is to look for a place that’s quiet and relaxing. If you can’t find a spot like this indoors, try going outside or into the park—the best locations are usually those that have fewer people around.

You should also look for locations with good lighting: if you’re shooting outdoors, try finding a spot where there aren’t any shadows; if you’re shooting indoors, make sure there isn’t too much natural light coming in from nearby windows or lamps. You’ll also want to look for places with good backgrounds; try using props if necessary (see below).

Lighting tips for cat photographers

When it comes to lighting, there are many different scenarios you might encounter in your photography. Here’s how to make the most of each one:

• Use natural light. This is always going to be your best bet because it’s free and easy; all you have to do is open up a window and let the sun shine on your subject. Natural light brings out the best in people—it does the same for cats! If you’re shooting indoors, try setting up near an open window so that you can take advantage of natural lighting without being blinded by direct sunlight or having shadows cast onto your photos. Try taking photos at different times of day, when different parts of the room receive more or less sunlight depending on where they face (for example: north-facing windows will get more morning light than east-facing ones).
• Use a flash (and maybe reflector). If none of these options work for you—maybe because it’s too hot outside or there are no windows nearby—then consider using a flash instead (and possibly also a reflector). Flash can help brighten up areas that aren’t getting enough exposure from natural daylight or fill shadows cast by other objects around them (like trees outside)

Get cats to play with toys

Cat toys are a great way to get cats to play. Catnip is a good way to get your cat interested in playing with a toy, and it’s easy to find at any pet store. If you want to use toys as props for photos, try getting lots of different ones and see if your cat likes any of them.

Shoot multiple frames at once

• If you’re shooting in manual mode, you’ll need to adjust your shutter speed to match a faster focal length. For example, if you’re using a 100mm lens and shooting at f/2.8 (the widest aperture available), then the shutter speed should be 1/100 or faster. If it isn’t, then raise it up until it is—anywhere from 1/200 to 1/1000 is good depending on how much ambient light there is and how long of a lens you’re using.
• If you don’t have the luxury of using a tripod with this technique or want more motion blur in your shot without having to change any settings on your camera, try shooting with burst mode instead. You’ll want to hold down the shutter button for as long as possible while still keeping track of where and when each photo was taken so that they can all be merged together later into one cohesive image (which we’ll talk about more below).

How to get cats to stare into the camera lens

If you want your cat to look at the camera lens, it’s important to get its attention. The easiest way is to use a treat or toy—you can even play peek-a-boo with them if you want! Just make sure not to use flash when photographing your cat because this can scare them away. You also need a long shutter speed in order for your subject (i.e., the cat) not appear blurry from movement if they aren’t sitting still enough throughout the exposure time (typically around 1/125th of a second). If you don’t have an automatic setting on your camera that will do this automatically, try using manual mode and set your shutter speed at 125 or 250 milliseconds (the higher number will result in less blurriness). Finally, use a tripod and remote shutter release so there aren’t any jitters while taking pictures of pets who move fast!

How to get blurry backgrounds in cat photos

The most important thing to remember when you’re trying to get a blurry background in your cat photos is knowing your equipment. You can’t use the same techniques on every camera, so it’s best to test out what works best for you.

A wide aperture will create a shallow depth of field, making the subject (your kitty) appear sharp while blurring everything else. The lower the number on your lens’ aperture setting, the more blurred it will be. A good bet for getting that perfect blurry background is f/1.4 or f/2.0

In order for this technique to work, though, there must be enough light available so that you don’t have dark shadows in your image from using such a small aperture opening​

With these tips, you’ll be taking great cat pics in no time!

With these tips, you’ll be taking great cat pics in no time!

• Take lots of photos
• Cats are very photogenic (read: they’re pretty good at posing for the camera) so don’t worry about getting the perfect shot right away — just keep snapping away and eventually something will work out!
• When it comes to going viral, cats have a lot more experience than you do, so trust me when I say this last one is important: cats will keep posing for you as long as you continue to take pictures of them.

Free, hi res photos of cats

Here are 10 of our favorite free, hi res photos of cats (猫, кошка):

• Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
• Photo by EVG Kowalievska from Pexels
• Photo by Manja Vitolic from Unsplash
• Photo by Wojciech Kumpicki from Pexels
• Photo by Krysten Merriman from Pexels
• Photo by Bogdan Farca from Unsplash
• Photo by Ihsan Adityawarman from Pexels
• Photo by Nihat from Pexels
• Photo by Daria Averina from Unsplash

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this guide and learned a lot from it! We want to thank you for reading and we hope that your cats are proud of their pictures.