Photographing Siberian kittens is one of my favorite parts of raising them, but getting that perfect photograph isn’t always as easy as it might appear.
Those beautiful portraits you see on a breeder’s website often come with a little patience, a lot of quick reflexes, and occasionally a kitten who has absolutely no intention of cooperating!
Over the years, I’ve developed a photography style that I enjoy and that feels true to the environment in which my kittens are raised. I prefer natural light, natural settings, and photographs that capture a kitten’s expression and personality rather than images that feel overly posed or artificial.
My Camera and Favorite Lens
The Nikon Z6 II has been my camera of choice, paired with my favorite lens, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2. It continues to serve me beautifully, although I have to admit that the Nikon Z8 has been tempting me lately!
I particularly love this lens because of its speed and its ability to gather so much light. The wide f/1.2 aperture produces the beautiful, soft background blur known as bokeh, allowing the kitten to remain the focal point while the background gently falls away.
I photograph wide open at f/1.2 most of the time, although I’ll occasionally stop down to f/1.4 or use a smaller aperture when I want a little more of the surroundings in focus.
I generally shoot in aperture-priority mode, which allows me to control the depth of field while the camera adjusts the shutter speed as the lighting changes.
Photographing the Very Young Kittens
When kittens are still very young and have developed enough strength to raise their heads, I like to use a natural lambswool throw as a simple setting.
The soft texture provides a beautiful, natural backdrop without distracting from the kitten. At this age, they aren’t quite as mobile, which gives me a little more opportunity to capture those sweet expressions, curious eyes, and tiny details that change so quickly as they grow.
I don’t need an elaborate studio or complicated setup. I prefer to let the kitten and the natural light do most of the work.
A young Siberian kitten, photographed in natural light.
Photographing Older, More Adventurous Kittens
Older kittens are an entirely different experience!
Once they become more mobile and curious, you have to be quick. You can carefully position a kitten on a little photography stage, but don’t expect that kitten to stay there simply because you have a camera ready.
They have their own ideas about how the session should go.
I’ll sometimes use a feather wand with a little bell to get their attention and encourage them to look in my direction. If they decide to wander off, I’ll gently return them to the stage and try again.
Sometimes this happens several times before they finally decide they’ve had enough running around and settle down for a moment.
Photographing them on the floor is much the same. You might think you’re going to capture a lovely photograph of a kitten playing, only to have that kitten decide that the most interesting thing in the room is you!
They’ll run straight toward the camera, sometimes right into the lens, and then proceed to climb on top of me.
I’ll gently redirect them, get them interested in something else, and be ready to capture the moment they come running back toward the camera.
Occasionally, after all that activity, they simply give up, lie down, and give me exactly the photograph I was hoping to get in the first place!
And sometimes those unplanned moments turn out to be my favorite photographs.
Photographing Adult Siberians
Photographing adult Siberians is a little different. With adults, I much prefer to capture them in their natural surroundings rather than trying to stage a portrait.
They are often most beautiful when they’re simply doing what they normally do—lounging in a favorite spot, watching something outside, sitting quietly, or looking up when something catches their attention.
I love capturing their expressions, their eyes, the shape of their faces, and the beautiful texture of their coats without making the photograph feel overly arranged. There’s something particularly appealing about a photograph that gives you a glimpse of a cat’s personality.
That doesn’t mean staging is out of the question. Adults can certainly be photographed on a designated setting, and a feather wand toy is a useful way to keep their attention and encourage them to look in a particular direction. Sometimes a little movement or curiosity is all it takes to get the expression I’m looking for.
Ultimately, though, I prefer to work with the cat rather than expect the cat to work with me. Some of my favorite adult portraits happen when I simply have my camera ready and let the moment unfold.
Natural Light, Patience, and a Lot of Photographs
I’m a natural-light photographer whenever possible. I love the softness and dimension that natural light brings to a photograph, particularly when photographing the Siberian’s beautiful coat and expressive eyes.
I prefer photographs that feel natural rather than heavily staged or artificially lit. The goal is to capture the kitten as it is, in an environment that feels comfortable and familiar.
Of course, natural light and a wide-open aperture come with their own challenges.
At f/1.2, the depth of field is incredibly shallow. When you’re photographing a kitten who can’t decide whether to sit still, turn around, chase a feather, or climb into your lap, getting the focus exactly where you want it can be a challenge.
I might take 250 photographs during a session and end up with fewer than ten that are actually in focus and worth keeping!
That’s not an exaggeration. Kittens move quickly, and sometimes the difference between a beautiful photograph and a missed opportunity is a fraction of a second.
But that’s part of the process. I keep shooting, watching for those little expressions and unexpected moments, knowing that somewhere in all those frames might be the photograph I was hoping to capture.
The Photographs You Didn’t Plan
Some of my favorite photographs aren’t the ones I set out to take.
A kitten investigating something new, an unexpected expression, a playful interaction, or a quiet moment of curiosity can make a much more memorable photograph than one in which everything has been carefully arranged.
I think that’s one of the most enjoyable things about photographing Siberian kittens. They have very definite ideas about what they want to do, and they rarely follow the photographer’s plan!
Rather than trying to control every movement, I try to work with their natural curiosity and capture those moments as they happen.
After all, a photograph should do more than show what a kitten looks like. It should give you a little glimpse of who that kitten is.
More Siberian Photography
If you enjoy seeing my Siberians through the lens, you’re welcome to explore more of my photography.
- Visit the Dainah Rico Siberians Photography Gallery to see portraits of our Siberian cats and kittens.
- Explore our Facebook Photo Gallery for additional photographs and moments from our cattery.
