For all cat parents, our cute pets are such a vital part of our lives that we want to capture every single moment on camera. Everybody wants to take better pictures of their cat to show to friends later or use them on social media.

The problem is that taking great cat photos can be tricky. Today I\’m going to share with you my top 5 tips on how to improve your cat photography and capture great cat moments.

Be patient

First of all, when photographing cats, you should expect a lot of bad photos. Cats are not an ideal subject for impatient photographers since they won’t keep a pose for long. Just as you’ve framed the shot, they’re likely to walk up to you and sniff your camera or smartphone, or they’ll turn their heads just when you release the shutter.

Cats tend to strike random funny poses, especially when they’re lolling about half asleep. To capture these funny or cute moments, it’s best to always have a camera ready.

Use natural light

For best results, you should seek natural soft light. When you take outdoor photos of your cat climbing on trees or walking through the grass, outcast days make the best pictures. Top 5 tips for perfect cat photos

If you are shooting on a bright day, the best time for the perfect light is when the sun is low in the sky. Then you’ll have that warm, soft light, without shadows on your cat’s face and fur.

If light conditions are not the best, you might think about using the flash. However, this is not the best solution, not only because of the red-eye effect. Cats aren’t the biggest fans of that strong sudden light and it can make them uncomfortable. An alternative to flashlight is to use a LED light that won’t annoy your cat nor make him run away.

Get down on your cat’s level.

One of the most common mistakes most cat parents make is that they photograph their cat from a human height. Photos of cats taken from their angle and perspective tend to have more impact and show the feline’s personality better. This might mean that you have to lie down on your belly to snap a picture.

If you want to capture a cat in hunting mode, getting down to ground level gives the feeling of being the cat’s prey and adds drama to your photos. Since cats like to climb, you won’t always have to get that low. Alternatively, you could use any climbing structure that could bring the cat up to your height.

Get close

In a close-up, your cat will fill up most of the frame and the environment is barely visible. Framing your cat in the shot with surroundings like long grass or shrubs will give your photo added depth. It also creates the feeling of peeking into the cat’s natural environment. Indoors, you can frame your cat by including any cubby holes or hiding places that he likes. Top 5 tips for perfect cat photos

It is important to be silent and approach him really slowly. Make a little step towards your cat and stop. Check if he looks suspicious. If not, take a second little step and stop again. After every step you make take a shot, because every click might be the last before your cat changes pose. Repeat until you get to a comfortable distance to shoot from.

Focus on the Eyes

Eyes tend to be the first thing we look at in a picture. Cats have these beautiful, full of mystery eyes, that convey emotions, and we are naturally attracted to them. Focus on your cat’s eyes every time that they are visible and try to keep them sharp to attract the viewer’s attention. If your cat isn’t looking at you try to make a strange noise to attract his attention and take the perfect shot.

This perfect shot won’t come at first, but the more you practice the easier this is going to get. We hope these cat photography tips were helpful and will improve your cat photography skills.

Do you have any tips for perfect cat photographs? Feel free to share with us in the comments below.

Photo: Alexander Andrews, Francis Nie, Andrii Ganzevych, Sophia Ayame