Photographing cats is difficult at the best of time due to their independent nature; however, with today's automatic cameras and these handy hints, even prize-winning pedigree cats can be professionally photographed at home by their owners. Here are ten tips to ensure "Purrr-fect" cat pictures.

1. Keep the background simple and uncluttered.
2. Always get down to the cat's eye level, or bring him up to yours.
3. The cat's eyes should be sharply in focus. Always focus on the eyes then reframe as required.
4. Fill the frame with your subject. Don't be afraid to get close. Even the simplest automatic cameras allow you to take portrait-type pictures.
5. To minimise red-eye from flash, keep a bright light on in the room that will dilate the cat's pupils so the flash will not reflect blood off the retina. Photographing cats with flash in the dark or dim light just about guarantees red-eye. (This also applies to photographing other animals as well as people).
6. Make your cat look alert by holding one of his favourite toys or foods beside the lens of the camera.
7. Black cats can look very flat unless they are photographed with electronic flash. Even in the brightest sunlight I always use flash to pick out the detail of their shiny fur and eliminate flat areas in shadow.
8. Your cats will always be camera-ready if their fur is groomed regularly with a Zoom-Groom and Slicker Brush from the pet store. These pull out the dull dead hairs, which dull the coat. Before close-ups, check that eyes and ears are clean.
9. Keeping a loaded camera handy for moments when the cat strikes an irresistible pose works better than getting everything ready then hoping the cat will perform on cue.
10. Above all, be patient. Look through the lens and wait for the right moment to press the shutter. Most cats don't understand what a camera is or what you are trying to achieve. If you make a game out of it and offer rewards, they will not see it as an unpleasant ordeal.

You may wish to show off your photographs, and your cats, by framing them, making them into greeting cards or scanning them onto your letterhead or page of stickers. Here are some examples: