We present early-time optical and near-infrared photometry of supernova (SN) 2005cf. The observations, spanning a period from about 12d before to 3 months after maximum, have been obtained through the coordination of observational efforts of various nodes of the European Supernova Collaboration and including data obtained at the 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope. From the observed light curve we deduce that SN 2005cf is a fairly typical SN Ia with a post-maximum decline [{delta}m15(B)true=1.12] close to the average value and a normal luminosity of M_B,max_=-19.39+/-0.33. Models of the bolometric light curve suggest a synthesized ^56^Ni mass of about 0.7M_{sun}_. The negligible host galaxy interstellar extinction and its proximity make SN 2005cf a good Type Ia SN template.