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Black cats, lucky families
Black cats, lucky families —
Black cats may face unusual struggles in their lives, but they sure make their families feel lucky to have them! Click through the gallery to meet some of our readers' favorites and get their tips for photographing your dark-furred feline.
Bianca Phillips says that patience is key when photographing pets, such as her cat Kiki. "Have lots of treats and toys ready," she suggests.
Courtesy Bianca Phillips
Salem —
Salem is "the quintessential black cat," with fur "softer than silk" and "unbelievably expressive" yellow eyes, says Brandon Blatter. He suggests experimenting with exposure when photographing a black pet. "By overexposing the photo, more detail is brought out of their black fur," he says.
Courtesy Brandon Blatter
Bandit —
An article claiming that black cats get abandoned because they don't look good in photos went viral over the summer
But not Bandit, whose favorite pastimes include "eating, sleeping, and killing pipe cleaners," says owner Jessica Tinker. When it comes to photographing black kitties, "the struggle is real," she says. "I've found it works best to have a light source shining towards his face, to take a picture when his eyes are wide open, or if he's against a light-colored background."
Courtesy Jessica Tinker
Bob —
"Bob is the dude," says Sherri Talley. He is "extremely laid back," and as you can see, his eyes are "stunning."
Courtesy Sherri Talley
Mac —
Shauna Cornwell's black cat Mac "loves cuddles, whether it be with our other cat Charlie, people or, in this picture, a stuffed monkey."
Courtesy Shauna Cornwell
Diana —
Diana was originally going to be called Artemis, but Cara Walton's daughter preferred the Roman name to the Greek. When photographing black cats, "have a good, soft light source and shoot at an angle instead of straight on if you can," says Walton.
Courtesy Cara Walton
Pepper —
Pepper came to live with Caroline Natale's family after Natale's 7-year-old daughter specifically requested a black cat.
"Shoot them in as bright a setting as possible," Natale recommends, "or you will just see a black blob and eyes."
Courtesy Caroline Natale
Booker —
Alexis Butler felt a connection with Booker as soon as she saw his photo. She says several people have asked how she gets such good pictures of him, and recommends shooting outside if possible, in natural light. "There has to be good lighting, that way the cat's features come out clearer," she explained.
Courtesy Alexis Butler
Wicca (left) and Pagan —
Eric Blaylock has had black cats for most of his life. When he introduced fiancee Julie Predny to their magic, she was surprised. "There's a fearlessness about them I've never encountered," she said. They now have this pair: Wicca and Pagan. "We've got two black cats crossing our path multiple times a day, and we couldn't consider ourselves luckier," said Predny.
Courtesy D. Eric Blaylock
Annabelle —
Joel Camaya met black cat Annabelle while visiting Paris. "Black cats are the best because they blend well with any background," he said. "Their coat glistens when struck by light and thus they look like precious gems."
Courtesy Joel Camaya
Mittens —
Like many cat owners, Chris Pacifico says his pet "adopted me" rather than the other way around. Mittens came up to him after a group of students at the school where he works found her, and that was that.
Courtesy Chris Pacifico
Dutchy and Gotham —
"I used to think that black cats were bad luck if they walked across your path," says Elaine Lombardo. But when her husband showed her photos of black Savannah breed cats -- which have very subtle spots -- "it changed my ideas about black cats totally!" They now have this pair, Dutchy and Gotham.
Courtesy Elaine Lombardo
Pepita —
Pepita came to Lynn Whitman as a stray, but nine years later, she's "a little prima donna but fun-loving, feisty and a great companion."
Courtesy Meredith Whitman
Jack —
"Sweet but naughty" Jack came to live with Laurie Sheriff 10 years ago. She specifically sought a black cat because "we knew it is harder for black cats to find a home."
Courtesy Laurie Sheriff
Daisy —
Daisy came into Cynthia Needham's life two Halloweens ago, when she took up residence in a friend's bushes. Needham, who's had black cats before, says "they are beautiful to me, like tiny black panthers."
Courtesy Cynthia Needham
Isis —
Gretchen Essenmacher-Kinard's family found Isis as a tiny kitten and took her in, feeding her with an eye dropper. She's named after the Egyptian goddess.
Courtesy Gretchen Essenmacher-Kinard
Sylvester (left) and Gizmo —
Jennifer Lively's family adopted Gizmo from their vet, promptly decided he needed a friend, and returned half an hour later to adopt Sylvester. Now, "they run all over the house chasing each other and sound like a herd of horses," she says. "They both sleep all night in the bed with me. They love the laundry basket and like to steal socks."
Courtesy Jennifer Lively
Winston —
Winston loves to snuggle with Angela Sorrells while she reads in bed. "He will sit right beside me and rub his head against my book," she says. "He and I are pals; I wouldn't trade him for the world!"
Courtesy Berkley Sorrells
Nisha —
Poor Nisha was burned, starving and sick when Alice Neer found her. Eight years later, she's all better and "shy, sweet, and gentle ... a delight to own."
Courtesy Alice Neer
Jinx —
Jinx was also sick when Minnie Paul's family adopted him. Luckily, he "recovered soon and fattened up to his present confident, curious and loving self."
Click the double arrow below to see more photos.
Courtesy Monica Paul
Oboe —
Oboe -- sometimes called "Shaquille O'Cat" for his jumping ability -- is "sleek, black, silky and lovable," says owner Jane Pritchard.
Courtesy Jane Pritchard
Boo Berry —
Boo Berry "has no regard for personal space and always wants to be in your face," and at 13, is still very active, says owner Joey Myles.
Courtesy Sarah Myles
Bagheera (left) and Vader —
"Superstitions never gave me pause, so silly in my opinion," says Laura DiMestico of her two black cats, Bagheera and Vader. "They are truly the most playful and snuggly, loving cats I have ever had."
Courtesy Laura DiMestico
Teenie —
At 18-and-a-half, Teenie takes the prize for most mature kitty in the gallery, but she sure doesn't look it. "She loves to cuddle under the covers when I get into bed every night," says owner David Horowitz.
