As a long-time cat sitter on Meowtel, content creator, and mother of two cats, I’ve taken my fair share of cat photos. To be exact, 26,211 photos and videos on my phone are recognized as cat content!
Any cat can be a meowdel! You just have to have the right tricks (and treats) up your sleeve. I’m sharing a few of my favorites with you today so you can go into your next kitty photo session feeling prepared.
Consent is key
One thing I always make sure of when I’m taking photos of a cat is that they are happy and comfortable. Before I start taking photos of them, I want to make sure they are familiar with me. I never pull a cat out of their safe space or force them to physically move just to be in the right light. If they are moving away, hiding, giving signs they are uncomfortable, or are busy doing cat things, I leave them be, or take a photo from afar. Meet them where they are, and let them set the pace!
Get their attention
If you are looking for a purrfessional headshot of the kitty, using a few tricks can help get them looking toward the camera. Here are a few I keep coming back to:
- Hold a toy right above the camera
- Make a soft noise by tapping the top of your phone with your free hand
- Shake some treats above the camera (and of course, give them some if the cat parents say it’s okay!)
Having your phone ready in one hand with the camera open before getting their attention can help capture a few quick shots as soon as they are looking.
Get lots of options
Even the slightest movement or action from the kitty, like licking their lips, yawning, or meowing, can make for a fantastic photo, but you never know when it might happen! For this reason, I like to take lots of photos in a row.
I usually make sure my photos are on live mode. This ensures you have a ton of options for things you can do with your kitty content! You can turn a live photo into a short video or GIF, or choose a different “key photo” for the best moment.
Angles and Purrspectives
As kitty paparazzi, it’s our job to capture their good side (as if they have a bad one)
- Get silly: Use .5x (wide angle) for close-up noses and goofy perspectives.
- Get close: Use 2x, 3x, or 4x zoom to get their precious little details. Toe beans, striking eyes, whiskers, the details mean everything!
- Get low: I personally get on the floor with them. It gives a level perspective us humans don’t usually get to see, so it makes for a sweet photo!
Let them be cats!
My last tip is to just follow your cat friends around and let them do their thing. Get a pic of them watching birds, sleeping, eating, playing, or grooming. These things can capture their personality and, if you’re cat sitting, let the cat parent experience their day from afar. Getting great photos is one of the things my clients rave about. It gives that important visual connection, seeing their cats having a good time with you will build trust and encourage repeat bookings.
Bonus tips
- Clean your camera lens often, a quick wipe on your shirt can really help with quality.
- Tap on the screen where you’d like to focus. For example, the cat’s face.
- Natural light is best! Opening up a couple of curtains can make all the difference.
- Have your camera open and ready for the moments you never know are coming.
Ready to get the shot? See these tips in action on YouTube Shorts!
