Kat De Laet
Animal & Wildlife | Last Updated: January 17, 2025
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My name is Kat De Laet, and I’m a portrait photographer specializing in pets. After growing up in Belgium, I am now based in sunny San Diego, California.
As a child, I was always drawn to creativity, whether it was through drawing, painting, or classical ballet. Like many young people, I dabbled in photography but wasn’t very good at it and eventually lost interest when I started university.
After moving out of my parents’ home, I adopted a cat, and just six months later, a second one followed. This was the start of my photography journey. As I was determined to capture my kittens while I was growing up, I began photographing them.
Over time, I wanted to produce better images, so I enrolled in a short course on photography basics and started teaching myself. From there, what began as a hobby quickly grew into a true passion.
My images improved rapidly, and out of my love for capturing memories of my beloved cats, my pet photography business was born. I wanted to give others the chance to cherish beautiful moments with their pets, just as I had been able to do.
Joining photography communities led me to my next challenge: photo competitions. These were a fun way to refine my skills, push my boundaries, and gain recognition. I made terrific friends and earned some exciting titles.
When I first entered competitions, I could never have imagined where they would lead me.
Two years ago, I began exploring the possibility of obtaining an O1B visa to move to the U.S. and continue my journey. Only a year ago, my application was approved, and I moved to the States in February 2024!
Looking back at the photos I took as a child, I see that my muse was often my sweet old grey cat. Cats have always surrounded me, and my love for them has shaped my life in ways I never expected. Thanks to them, I’ve followed my dreams, seized incredible opportunities, and even moved halfway across the globe. For that, I will always be deeply grateful.
I have always been a firm believer in not getting the most expensive gear but getting the best out of the gear you have. Over time, I upgraded my camera only because I started with a beginner model, and I exchanged my Plastic Fantastic Canon 50mm for more light-sensitive lenses.
I’ve always been loyal to Canon, and my camera is the Canon EOS R6 Mark I. This camera has never let me down. If I were to upgrade, I’d likely choose the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.
As a pet portrait photographer, my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM S lens is indispensable. Its versatility and speed make it ideal for outdoor photography, though its size and weight can be a drawback.
The Sigma 135mm f/1.4 Art lens is another favorite of mine. It’s perfect for portraits when my subject isn’t too active. The bokeh it creates is stunning, with soft and dreamy backgrounds.
I use the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC for my pop-up studio sessions. It’s lightweight, versatile, and perfect for tight spaces. Occasionally, I’ll use it for outdoor shoots, but primarily for projects outside my usual niche, like events or business branding.
While I focus mainly on outdoor photography, many cat owners prefer sessions in their homes, where their pets feel most comfortable. To accommodate this, I use a pop-up studio setup.
My one-light setup includes a Godox AD600 Pro Strobe paired with a large Octagon Softbox or Strip Box. The trigger I use is a Godox X2T-C Trigger, which allows me to easily switch my light settings without getting up off the floor where I usually reside while photographing pets.
For additional lighting without the bulk of my strobe, I use a Godox V1 V1-C TTL.
My camera bag is a treasured item as it was gifted to me by the Belgian Society of Photographers when I won the “Young Photographer of the Year” at the FEP (Federation of European Photographers) awards.
It’s the Wandrd Prvke 21L and the best camera bag I’ve ever owned. It even doubles as my go-to travel bag!
As a pet photographer, my bag is always stocked with yummy treats, whistles, squeaker toys, poop bags, and a thin photography leash.
For my editing, I will use Adobe Lightroom for culling and quick edits, but the leading software I use is Adobe Photoshop.
I feel fortunate to be where I am now because being a pet photographer is the best profession in the world.
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