05/28/2025
When I work with people’s pets I’m often asked to capture specific poses, expressions or behaviors that really highlight their animal’s personality. I love the challenge and trust me, it can be challenging — especially when it’s dependent on the pet performing for someone pointing a camera and large lights at them. Double or triple that challenge if cats are involved.
When I spoke with Waffle and Strudel’s mom she really wanted some portraits of the two tabby cats but also mentioned that they loved playing with wand toys and often caught serious air. Could we try to photograph that? Challenge accepted!
Shoot day arrived and I set up in the living room while one of the cats (I think it was Waffles) observed and occasionally made reconnaissance passes. Strudel was a little shyer and stayed clear of the room. We made a big open space to give them plenty of space and left room on the side for mom to stand and hold the wand toy. I asked to watch her play with a cat so I could see how much vertical distance we were talking about.
On the first try the cat easily cleared three feet and we were off to the races. Mom proved to be most deft with the wand and what I thought was going to be a 5 or 10-minute part of the entire shoot ended up being more like 45 minutes after I realized the range of body positions and facial expressions we were getting from both cats. I pretty much had to force myself to stop and the cats had such a good time that they kept coming back and photobombing while I worked with the household’s two dogs. Cat divas!
Check out the best Waffles and Strudel below!
If you’re a pet lover and really want to capture your dog or cat’s personality and spirit so you always it I’d love to work with you. I do home sessions as well as outdoor and studio. DM me or visit my website — link in my bio.
