Tail shot
They tell actors not to work with animals or children if they want to be noticed as both will steal a scene.
They should tell photographers that getting shots of critters is equally tough. I’ve been trying to get some interesting pictures of my cats to update my blog. What I have are anatomy shots.
Porn and blurry!
Butts – Cats, like dogs, think that people enjoy looking (or even, heaven forbid, smelling) their butts. I have a thousand pictures of butts. It they were people pictures, some would definitely be porn. My youngest is not in the least bit modest! It’s embarrassing.
Paws – Turning a camera on means that it’s fair game for paw prints on a lens. Or maybe just pawing it down. Or perhaps just driving the camera-woman crazy. Unlike butt pictures which are always clear, paw pictures are blurred. You could label them UFO sightings and you’d be good to go.
Ears – I know it sounds weird but I can have a perfect head shot but as soon as I press the button they put their head down so all you see are two (or sometimes just one) ears. Like paws, these can be very blurry but you can’t mistake them for UFO sightings.
Bellies – The click of my camera clearly is a signal for a cat, any cat, to roll over. I have delightful pictures of fuzzy bellies without heads or tails. Very macabre.
Tails –The worst are the tail pictures. As soon as I click, the cat jumps out of range and all that I have is the tip of the tail. The picture will make no sense to anyone including me.
Seriously, no class at all!
Some bloggers get fabulous pictures of their pets. I am convinced they drug them. Maybe dogs are easier. Several bloggers post wonderful pictures of their dogs. No blurring and it looks like the dog is smiling and enjoying the attention.
Unless my cat is sleeping, I can’t seem to get anything worthwhile. Perhaps there is a charm school for cats?
Then again, maybe it’s the inept photographer!
Views and Mews by Coffee Kat 
I feel your pain, Kate. Dave went to take photos of our two cats for a contest at work. That’s when Jean-Louis chose to hide and resisted many efforts to get photos of him. Reggie was more cooperative. Or, maybe, we just caught her off guard. But, ironically, Dave’s best shot was of Jean-Louis “reading” “French for Cats.”
P.S. Their photos didn’t win the contest. Some dog did. But, at least, the money raised went to help a local charity. (Dave over-tipped I think.) 😉
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Dogs are so much easier to photograph and somehow they know how to do those puppy eyes. If a cat is in the mood (almost never) they can look really adorable too. I never had one of those cats.
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I love all the pictures. I have a cat and am endlessly fascinated by the positions and adorable variations he can get into. Let’s face it, they keep us amused.
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Yes they do!
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I swear they know exactly what we’re trying to do. I must say I laughed out loud at these shots…so funny.
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They were supposed to be “cute” pet shots. Missed by a mile.
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I was at my daughter’s house this weekend, and her cats were soooo beautiful–their shiny, colorful fur, their unbelievably gorgeous green eyes, their cute little noses and ears … Last time I tried to take a picture of them, though, none of that came through. Besides, I was too far away. I’m also unsuccessful at taking pictures of active children. Trying to get a pic of my grandson at the splash park, all I got was wet.
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Unless a kid likes to ham it up for the camera (and they never do when I am taking pictures), they are the next worst thing. I have had better luck getting pictures of deer and wild turkeys.
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I have 4 sweet doggies. One of them is a model, one is ambivalent to photographs, and the other 2 are too quick to ever capture as more than a blur. Trying to get all 4 at once is nearly impossible. Takes lots of patience and treats!
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I have one picture with all four of my cats. I was sick in bed sleeping and they all jumped on it to join me. My husband took the picture so it doesn’t qualify as one I took.
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A tummy rub Tuesday shot. 😀
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I thought that when I saw your post today but it’s not a good shot. Too blurry although she has a nice tummy to rub (and she likes that too!).
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A bit blurry doesn’t hurt. 😉 especially when they are cute. 🙂
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When photographing cats, set your expectations low . . . and once in the flash of a tail you’ll meet or exceed them! =^_^=
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If you’re lucky!
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I agree. M candid shots of critters are always well, too candid. Aiming and waiting is the trick, if you can wait long enough without shaking.
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If they know you are waiting, they don’t do it. As soon as you relax and put the camera down, they are adorable.
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Cats are the most impossible models to work with. Prima donna’s the whole lot. They think the world revolves around them, and then they won’t pose for pictures. How’s the paparazzi to make a living?
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As a paparazzi person, I totally agree. They need to model so they can become famous and I can afford their lifestyle! All divas!
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LOL!!! Oh the easy life. 😀
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I want to be my cat! That’s the good life!
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I knew it! Your one of those who secretly like lying around naked in provocative positions like the cats. Shame on you, Kate. Don’t be jealous of the cat house. 😀
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Stop peeping….
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LOL!
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My cats get too darn interested in the camera and that usually ends the photo session. I can’t get a decent photo of my black cat ~ her features disappear. But I do love the photos you have here, Kate. They’re classic, especially the porn!!
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Even if I get a shot, they will move slightly so it’s never clear. Something is always wrong — blurry, not centered, head turned. It’s a wonder I keep on trying.
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Likewise. And black cats are really hard to photograph well without a top-notch camera. Impossible to distinguish facial features!
Mine do the cutest poses. Pull out an iPhone or a camera, though, and they sit up and glare. I think you have to wear a high speed camera and have the reflexes of a cheetah to be a good feline photographer.
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I agree. My best pictures of Jake always involved a light background or outdoors. Otherwise he was a big dark hole.
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Hum…I wonder about the one who’s looking down on the other…
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She’s a pervert! The one on the floor is giving attitude to the one on the ottoman because she wants to sit there and look out the window.
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I think the tail shots and belly shots are cute! As for butt shots….maybe not so much. I agree with you, Kate, the only decent photos of my sister’s two cats are sleeping pictures.
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Or right after you wake them up before they realize you are taking a picture!
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I feel your pain. I share it, even!
Duncan is camera shy — I have maybe three decent pictures of the boy. So I’m there. He turns his head the minute the camera is pointed at him!
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All of my cats turn their heads. I have a lot of “back of head” shots too.
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I think cats are just a little more uppity than dogs and are more concerned about their image as it relates to photos which is why you have to catch them while their sleeping or crawling under a shrub..:)
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Yes, you have to get them right after they come home from the fur dresser….
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“Porn and blurry”… omp – I can’t breathe here I’m snorting so hard. I love it my friend. XOXO – Bacon
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I’ve never seen your back end. You have more class! Snorts!
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Snorts! Trust me, mom has more than you can imagine. They don’t call me pig-headed for no reason – snorts XOXO – Bacon
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