Striking Black Cat Photos Emphasize the Beauty of Their Darkness to Help Them Get Adopted

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Maggie

Black cats are a symbol of Halloween, but that association has often done more harm than good. In some folklore, particularly that of the American Pilgrims, they are seen as evil. This bias has carried through today, and the group has more trouble getting adopted than other colored felines. Animal advocate and pet photographer Casey Elise Christopher is working to change that with her striking portraits of inky-colored felines.

“For this series,” she tells My Modern Met in an email, “I photographed black cats against a black background to emphasize their beauty and showcase their personalities.” Their dark fur and backdrop make their other features—particularly their eyes—stand out. It’s as if we’re able to look into the soul of these creatures and have a sense of who they are. Some are timid while others are determined, but each is looking for love and acceptance.

“Black cats have the lowest adoption rates and the highest euthanasia rates, in part because they typically don’t photograph well,” Christopher explains. “I hope my photos inspire people to adopt black cats and to volunteer for their local shelter.”

Casey Elise Christopher showcases the striking beauty of inky-colored felines with black cat photos.

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Eloise

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Rita

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Onyx

“Black cats have the lowest adoption rates and the highest euthanasia rates, in part because they typically don’t photograph well,” she says.

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Tux

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Luna

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Moon

“I hope my photos inspire people to adopt black cats and to volunteer for their local shelter.”

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Toby

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Spike

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Max

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Frank

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Luna

Black Cat Photos by Casey Elise Christopher

Trix

Photos of Black Cats by Casey Elise Christopher

Slinky

Casey Elise Christopher: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Casey Elise Christopher.

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Photographer Takes Portraits of Black Shelter Cats Who Are Often the Last to Be Adopted

Seattle Animal Shelter Is Offering Free Adoption for All Black Cats on Black Friday

Expressive Portraits Highlight the Overlooked Beauty of Black Shelter Dogs

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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