National Cat Day — which takes place every October 29 — is a day to celebrate our cats. Established in 2005 by Celebrity Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige, National Cat Day is both a celebration of own kitty companions and a reminder to remember the many cats in need of forever families– among them the approximately four million cats who enter into the U.S. shelter system each year.
However you and your cat choose to celebrate, this day makes a great time to capture some memories with cat photos! Whether you opt for your phone or a DSLR, you can take great photos of your cat–with a few tips.
So often we all forget to photograph the everyday joys in our lives. Oct. 29 is National Cat Day, the perfect time to spend a few minutes photographing one of the most important parts of your everyday life: your cat!
I love photographing Inca, Lucky and Jetty, and I usually wind up taking photos of them every day, whether it’s on my phone or my camera. While my number one tip is definitely to take a LOT of photos, here are seven tips to help you create fun photos for National Cat Day:
Have Your Cat Face a Window
Our cats are indoors-only cats–and our house isn’t especially bright–so photography can be challenging.
Flash photos will not have a natural look but photos shot near the window have plenty of light–and give your cat’s eyes a playful glint.
Be sure the window is either at your back or at your cat’s side–not behind your cat or your portrait will become a silhouette.
Need your cat to look a certain direction? Food plays a role in many of our cat photos–I always have a few favorite cat treats in my pocket or, if I’m trying to get the cats to look at the camera, I hold them just above the camera.
Get Low
Don’t just get down to your cat’s level–try to get lower than your cat for a look that really puts your cat at the center of attention (which is where she belongs, right?!)
Look for Contrast
With three black cats, I’m always looking for bright contrast to really put the attention on Jetty, Lucky and Inca. I have several brightly-colored pillows and rugs that I move to different locations to provide good contrast and to make their black fur pop.
Let Sleeping Cats Lie
Our little Jetty is THE most energetic cat we’ve ever had! I love her high energy but it does make it challenging to photograph her without shots turning into a blur. The answer: I sneak up on her while she sleeps!
Get Up Close
I usually take the first photos of our cats from a distance…then start moving closer. If you’re shooting with your phone, the photo will generally be better quality if you physically move closer to your cat rather than zooming in.
Create Your Own Photo Backdrops
You don’t need fancy photo backdrops; plain fabrics work just fine. I like to buy a few yards of inexpensive jersey or double knits which won’t wrinkle when stored and have no sheen.
Our cats are curious about the fabrics and someone never fails to come curl up on the photo backdrop–purrfect!
Add Some Props
Add some fun props to your photos–seasonal decorations, your cat’s favorite toy or favorite food!
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