To be a black cat on Halloween

By Rachel Rodriguez, CNN

Updated 1105 GMT (1905 HKT) October 31, 2014

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.<br /><br />Bianca Phillips says that patience is key when photographing pets, such as her cat <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181421">Kiki</a>. "Have lots of treats and toys ready," she suggests.
Photos: 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.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1182012">Salem</a> 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.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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An <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/10998439/Misfortune-of-black-cats-rejected-in-age-of-selfie.html" target="_blank">article</a> claiming that black cats get abandoned because they don't look good in photos went viral over the summer<br /><br />But not <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181660">Bandit</a>, 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."
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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."
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"<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1182192">Bob</a> is the dude," says Sherri Talley. He is "extremely laid back," and as you can see, his eyes are "stunning."
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
Bob – "Bob is the dude," says Sherri Talley. He is "extremely laid back," and as you can see, his eyes are "stunning."
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Shauna Cornwell's black cat <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181954">Mac</a> "loves cuddles, whether it be with our other cat Charlie, people or, in this picture, a stuffed monkey."
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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."
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1182092">Diana</a> 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.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181858">Pepper</a> came to live with Caroline Natale's family after Natale's 7-year-old daughter specifically requested a black cat. <br /><br />"Shoot them in as bright a setting as possible," Natale recommends, "or you will just see a black blob and eyes."
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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."
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Alexis Butler felt a connection with <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181894">Booker</a> 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.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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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: <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181647">Wicca and Pagan</a>. "We've got two black cats crossing our path multiple times a day, and we couldn't consider ourselves luckier," said Predny.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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Joel Camaya met black cat <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181463">Annabelle</a> 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."
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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."
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Like many cat owners, Chris Pacifico says his pet "adopted me" rather than the other way around. <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181836">Mittens</a> came up to him after a group of students at the school where he works found her, and that was that.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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"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, <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1181852">Dutchy and Gotham</a>.
Photos: Black cats, lucky families
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.
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