Photographers are often advised to have their cat portrait looking forward or to the right. Let’s see what looking the other way does!
Facing to the right is meant to give your cat’s photograph a more dynamic feel of moving forward. Why? Because here in the western world we read and write from left to right.
Check out this photograph of Toulouse.
But…
Something I try to do, and you can try it too, is to take your cat’s portrait facing the other way. Move around to your right…
It is not very radical, but it might be unexpected and give people a moment to look again. Below is another portrait of Toulouse that is a good example. It is shadowy and atmospheric.
Here he is looking to the left enclosed in a small wooden window that is actually part of our deck. As a super tip ‘framing’ is a great compositional device and your frame can be anything! Two chair legs, a window or even between two pieces of furniture or books.
When I was reviewing my images recently, I came across this shot from the same photoshoot as my Mono Awards – Commended entry last year, 2025.
This is another really nice contemplative portrait . It’s a ginger kitten who was available for adoption. The kitten looks downward watching something.
Finally, a lovely portrait of Thomas looking to the left. He was a fine cat and even now his portraits are some of my best photographs.
So remember.
Rules can be bent, or even broken if you want to capture a special moment. Take the photo, worry about things like straightening or sharpening a little bit, later on.
Great photos.