Every cat owner is proud of his or her friendly feline and we have the photos on our phone to prove it. Cats make perfect subjects in which to photograph. When you know how and when to take pictures of your cat, you can catch your cat in a variety of interesting and fun poses.  If you are interested in photographing your cat, here are some tips to help you get the best shots.

Catch your Cat Napping

Nothing looks quite as relaxing as a cat taking a nap. Cats sleep a lot so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get a decent photo. You can take close-ups of your cat as it sleeps or gently rouse your cat for a relaxed look. For a nice shot of your cat, try gently rubbing your cat’s belly right when you want to snap a picture. This will encourage your cat to roll over on its back.

Natural Sunlight

When you think of a sleeping cat, you can usually find a cat napping in the sun. If you have a window that gets full or filtered sunlight during the day, then open the curtains or blinds to encourage cap napping. As soon as you see your cat sit in the sun, take a few pictures. When the sunlight is good, try a few shots without using your flash. This will give your picture a natural glowing effect. In addition, natural light often works best because if you use a bright flash, your cat will usually close its eyes or the eyes could end up looking red.

Forget Posing and Planning

You can’t ask a cat to stay and sit the way you can with a dog. When you take pictures of your cat, you should always have your camera on hand, not in your camera bag, for candid shots.  Look at your cat during the day and determine your cat’s schedule and favorite places. By working around your cat, you will get better pictures. Try to be spontaneous and above all be patient. It may take several tries to get a couple of great shots, but if you keep at it you’ll have a good chance of getting a decent photo.

Get Help

Another good tip for taking pictures of your cat is to get help. You can get great pictures of playful cats and kittens by having someone help you wiggle a string, throw a ball or call the cat’s name. It’s difficult to play with your cat and take pictures at the same time. In addition, if you want a picture of your cat looking directly at your camera, have someone stand above you and call the cat’s name, or make a noise that will prompt the cat to look directly above your head.

If you are patient and willing you can get some excellent shots of your cat.  Keep your camera handy and ready to go as soon as your cat springs into action. If you have your camera out – not in your camera bag – and ready you will never miss the perfect picture.