(They Can Be a Handful)
By Margaret Bryant
Texas School Instructor
Cats can be long-haired or short-haired. They can be purebred or mixed breed. It is more common to see mixed breed cats. The genetics
of cats are very interesting. Most orange tabby cats are male, and nearly all calico and tortoise shell colored cats are female. In the world of purebred cats, the Maine Coon is regarded as the cat that is the most dog-like. While cats have different physical appearances and different personalities, there are behaviors they all have in common. Knowledge of these behaviors is helpful to a photographer during a photo session.
If cats like you and the environment, they might headbutt you, rub against you, and might be purring. This is how cats show happiness.
On the other hand, if cats do not like you, the environment, or are afraid, watch out! They might hide, or they might start biting or might bring out the murder mittens (claws)! If the situation becomes really bad, the cat might even become fractious. You may think that a cat who is frightened and hides might be better than a fractious cat. I can assure you this is not the case. You might not be able to coax a cat out of hiding, and that is no better than a cat biting, clawing, and tearing up your arms. Neither situation is a good one.
This is why this is the first question I ask when someone contacts me to photograph their cat, “Is your cat friendly and outgoing, or does it hide under the furniture”? It’s a very important question! If the cat hides all of the time at home, they are going to hide in my studio. Some cats are just not going to be photographed, and I try to be realistic with the client about that. Usually the client knows their cat well and has reasonable expectations of a photo session.
If the cat is a candidate to be photographed, I like to have a consultation of some sort before the photo session. This can be a conversation over the phone, or, if possible, in person. If the cat is okay with traveling, an in person consultation is best. Allow the cat to wander around your studio to get acclimated. Ask about the personality of the cat. Ask about favorite toys, and ask if the cat is food-motivated. Most importantly, manage the client’s expectations. I always tell the client that I can only do what the cat will allow me to do.
Like with dogs, wait for the cat to greet you. This may take a little while, but if the cat is outgoing, the cat will be curious and will come to greet you. Don’t pat the cat on the head; giant hands coming at their faces is not good. Instead touch the cat on its back and pet it gently. (This goes for dogs, too.) You can then massage the cat to gain trust. Massage between the cat’s shoulder blades and between the ears.
Cats need to feel safe. Don’t pressure the cat to interact with you. Don’t chase the cat; they will run. The client can bring a favorite bed or place to hide and the cat will feel safe there. I had one client who brought their cat’s favorite chair and had a heating pad under the seat cushion to keep the cat warm and comfortable.
What kind of photo session does the client want? Is the cat going to be posed alone, be posed with their owner, or will there be action shots? Action shots are probably the easiest if the cat likes to play. You can use a toy called “Da-Bird,” a pheasant feather on a stick, or Mylar strips on a stick to get the cat to jump. If the cat likes laser pointers, let them chase the red dot. Be sure to let the cat “catch” the red dot or the feathers from time to time. Do the action shots or jumping at the beginning of the photo session to tire the cat out a little bit and hopefully have some fun. If you are doing these action shots using a strobe, make sure the strobe has a short flash duration to ensure that no parts of the cat end up blurry from movement.
If the cat is to be posed in one place, have catnip and/or catnip spray around the areas where you want the cat to be. Dried catnip can be messy and catnip spray can work just as good with less mess. To get the cat’s attention, you can use sound, visuals, or food. For noises, try to cluck your tongue, or crinkle a plastic bag. There is also a mouse noisemaker that is a squeaker you can buy online. As usual, not all noisemakers work with all cats, but give them a try.
For visual attention use the feathers and other toys mentioned above. Cats are more likely to respond to visual stimulation than any other method.
Cats can also be food-motivated. As with dogs, the treats must be of high value to get the cat to work for you. The client could bring special treats or you can use something called Squeeze Ups which are liquid cat treats in a foil packet, available at any pet store. As with any treat, use them sparingly to lure the cat into place. Then use the toys, or sounds, to get them to look at you.
Save any poses of the cat with its owner for last. The cat will likely be comfortable being held by their owner. If those images are photographed first, you might not be able to get the cat to be on their own for the other photographs.
During your photo session watch for signs of stress from the cat. Those behaviors might be the cat’s ears held to the back or to the side (airplane ears), a slow tail twitch, or running away. Worse case is the cat running away and hiding. Good luck finding the cat and engaging them again. Always be aware of how the cat is feeling so you can modify your behavior accordingly.
Stress can escalate to fear. Here are some signs of fear: the cat is hissing, growling, teeth bared, fur fluffed out, clawing, and tearing up your arms. All are the signs of a fractious cat. You won’t be able to recover from that; this session and any future sessions are gone. The cat will remember! Guaranteed!
Cats “meow” to communicate with people, usually not with other cats. Also, a cat purrs for many reasons. Do not assume a purring cat is a happy cat, the cat can be soothing themselves because they are frightened or in pain.
So how do you get a cat to like you, and even cooperate with you? Be patient. I’ll say that again, be patient. Earn the cat’s trust. Try slow blinking to the cat. A slow blink is what cats use with each other to show their affection. It works when humans slow blink at cats, too. So be patient. Take your time and earn the cat’s trust. Then, have some fun with the cat!
Margaret Bryant is an award-winning photographer who specializes in photographing dogs and their people. Her style is simple, original, and authentic and often shows the humor and whimsy of dogs. Starting her business in 1998, Margaret has specialized in dogs and their humans from the very start. Margaret has earned her PPA Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees, her ASP Educational Associate Degree, and is a Certified Professional Photographer. Margaret is also a PPA National Award recipient for her contributions to professional photography. Margaret has written a book on dog photography (first and second editions) and a book on rescue dogs. She will be teaching a class on “Pet Photography” at the 2025 Texas School of Professional Photography.
