Walter Chandoha: The Godfather Of Cat Photos (15 Photos)

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  Walter George Chandoha is one of the most prolific cat photographers to date and the pioneer of cat photos. Born in the 1920s, he developed a love for photography in his teens. When World War II came around, Chandoha was registered as a press photographer then later a combat photographer in the war. 

  Via The Guardian
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  After the war, Chandoha was living in Queens, New York, with his wife Maria Ratti while he studied at the N.Y.U. School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance. One night he was walking home when he found a small kitten abandoned in the snow. Chandoha tucked him into his jacket and took him home, calling him Loco. Loco soon became the subject of his photos and inspired him to primarily take photos of cats. 

  Via Style Tails
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  Chandoha started his cat photography career by submitting to photography contests, but it was when he went into advertisement that he really began to make his mark. Post-war America was pouring money into advertising, and Chandoha's hunch that cats would warm the hearts of consumers was right. 

  
  

  
  

  Via Digital Rev
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  Chandoha took photos in both black and white and color. As photography editor Reuel Golden notes, "Walter was equally adept in color and black and white. He could formally shoot cats in the studio, he could photograph stray cats roaming the streets of 1950s New York, he could shoot them in action like a sports photographer and he could take beautiful portraits of cats with his children in their farm in New Jersey." 

  Via The Art Newspaper
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  Chandoha's photographs of cats were soon seen everywhere, from pet foot packages, greeting cards and calendars to a giant Kodak display in Grand Central, New York. His simple, affectionate photos of cats, combined with his photographic expertise, resulted in photographs that everyone could relate to. 

  
  

  
  

  Via The Art Newspaper
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  Chandoha was an accomplished photographer and used special techniques to make his photos as impressive as they are. Inspired by printmaker Tsuguharu Foujita and Girl With a Pearl Earring painter Johannes Vermeer, Chandoha used six lights in his cat photoshoots: 2 for the background, 2 for the foreground, and 2 to make the cats' fur light up. 

  
  

  
  

  Via Digital Rev
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  Although his main subject was cats, he did photograph dogs too. How adorable is this one?!

  Via BBC
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  Chandoha's work inspired other artists too. It is reported that when Andy Warhol needed inspiration for his illustrated book, 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy, he went to Chandoha's work for inspiration. 

  
  

  
  

  Via The Guardian
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  Chandoha once famously said "Cats cannot and will not be rushed. And if you are a cat owner, you know, well, you're really don't own a cat, they own you and spend their days on their own terms and schedules."

  Via Digital Rev
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  Over his lifetime, Chandoha published 34 books, which included photography books, photography manuals and a book of manners called Mind Your Manners. 

  Via Amazon
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  Chandoha's photography played a seminal role in popularizing the cat photo and helping the public to remember their love of cats. Although he passed away in January 2019, the most important years for him professionally were the 50s and 60s. Many of the photos taken during those years were used as some of the first cat memes on the internet. 

  Via The Guardian
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  Chandoha wasn't a one man show. As he was working with cats and kittens, who are notoriously curious and playful, he often relied on his wife's help with keeping the kitties occupied and in the right spot. 

  Via BBC
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  But often, his best photos were a combination of perfect timing, photographic expertise and some very adorable creatures. 

  Via LKBK
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  Judging by the recent history of cat photos, they're not about to obsolete anytime soon. Even if they did, Chandoha's work would remain to be pieces of magic. 

  Via Digital Rev
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  Via Digital Rev

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