What Happens When the Star of the Show Has Whiskers… and an Attitude?

If you’ve ever tried to take a picture of your cat and ended up with a blurry tail, a grumpy glare, or no cat in the frame at all, you’re not alone. Cats are known for their independence, mystery, and, well, complete lack of interest in cooperating with our big ideas. But here’s the thing: that exact unpredictability? It’s what makes cat portraits so special to me.

One of my favorite cat shoots was with a handsome guy named Miso. He won a spot in my recent Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland calendar contest, and like many felines before him, he had his own ideas about how the session should go. Getting him to pose? Not happening. Getting cute photos while he did his thing? Absolutely.

If you’re curious about how I capture real, heartfelt portraits of cats (even the spicy or shy ones), keep reading. Your cat’s personality is totally worth celebrating – quirks and all.

Cats Don’t Pose, They Reveal (Eventually)

Let’s just acknowledge it now: cats are not dogs. They aren’t usually keen on performing or following commands, especially not in a completely unfamiliar environment like my studio. I always tailor my sessions to use their natural behaviors, not try to override them.

For many cats, I recommend doing the session at home – where they’re already the boss. It’s familiar, comfortable, and full of their favorite hiding spots (that also happen to make for some great backgrounds).

When I walk into these sessions, I know we’re on their time. I tell all my clients: give it at least two hours, and more importantly, lower your expectations. That flexibility opens the door for those magical, emotionally honest moments to shine through.

My Go-To Tips for Photographing Cats Just As They Are

1. Create a Calm, Cat-Friendly Space

Whether I’m in the studio or at your home, I focus on building an environment that feels safe and quiet.

• Turn off loud appliances.
• Give your cat space to observe me before I take out the camera.
• I always have toys and soft conversation ready – treats too, if allowed – but nothing is rushed.

Some cats surprise us and warm up quickly. Others prefer to hide, peek, and judge for a good while first. Either approach is totally okay.

2. Let Go of the “Perfect Pose” Idea

I often joke that cats give us one good moment in a 45-minute period – and you better be ready when it happens.

• I photograph cats doing what they love: lounging in their favorite window, stalking a toy, stretched across the back of a couch.
• Movement happens fast, so I use a quick shutter speed and keep the setup flexible.
• Props can help, but they’re never the focus. Your cat is the artwork.

With Miso, for example, we set up a few cozy spots, pulled out some favorite toys, and let him do what he does best: look fabulous without trying.

3. If Your Cat Is Shy or “Not Photogenic,” That’s All the More Reason to Try

I’ve had several clients worry that their cat simply “won’t do well” in a photo session because they’re nervous or not very social. I get it. My own cat is on the shy side.

What I always remind them is:

• There’s no award for fastest session time – we go slow and follow the cat’s lead.
• Sometimes it takes more than one visit, and that’s completely fine.
• I’ve worked with all types – spicy, stoic, elusive – and found ways to capture their essence.

The most unforgettable images don’t come from staged smiles. They come from truth – and when that truth involves a twitching tail, doing their own thing, or falling asleep in a sunbeam, that’s worth preserving.

Celebrate the Little Glimpses of Cat Magic

There’s something deeply satisfying about earning a cat’s curiosity, even just for a moment. When their eyes soften, they settle in near a favorite blanket, or tilt their head just so – that’s when the real photo happens.

These portraits aren’t about perfection. They’re about connection.

So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Yeah, but my cat would never go for this,” just know… you’re probably right. But we don’t need them to “go for it.” We just need them to be themselves, and I’ll be ready for it.

Book a Cat Session That Feels True to Your Pet

Whether your cat is a dramatic diva or the quiet shadow moving from one sunny spot to another, I’d love to help you capture their spirit. I offer relaxed, pet-first photography sessions in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

You can book a cozy at-home cat session or, if your cat’s more adventurous, we can even try the studio (carefully and at their own pace). Either way, all sessions include plenty of patience, soft voices, and pauses for scratch breaks.

Want to learn more or talk about how to prep your home? Reach out at robynwhitephoto.com and feel free to tell me a bit about your feline muse.

Whatever their mood, your cat deserves to be in the spotlight – on their terms of course.