Me and Sophie

Me and Sophie, originally uploaded by ~*Leah*~

Etsy shop: Modern Adornments

Cat's name: Sophie

Human's name: Leah

Length of cohabitation: 3 months

How you came to live with each other: I adopted her from a no-kill shelter called Operation Kindness

Favorite shared activity: Lying around and reading

Tell us about this photo: I just wanted to take a picture to introduce Sophie to my internet friends. I feel this picture captures her curiosity and her beauty.

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): They are so loving and affectionate. I really appreciate their companionship. They have such distinct personalities. I love coming home to them and talking about our day :) My kitties are talkers!

Favorite animal charity: Operation Kindness

They are a no- kill animal shelter. They have a wonderful cat room and cat porch that the cats can roam around in (as long as they are healthy and comfortable with other cats) so that they do not have to stay in cages. The people that work and volunteer there are very loving and work hard to better the situation of animals in the community.

Too much work and no play . . .

Too much work and no play . . . originally uploaded by donkeymasterflash

website: Mehdy Nasser Photography

Cat's name: Chick-O

Human's name: Mehdy

Length of cohabitation: 16 days

How you came to live with each other: That's quite a long story, and English is not my first language but I'll try: I've always had cats. My first one passed away a few month ago at the age of 25 years old. He spent his last months sleeping in my bed. So I really felt strange when he suddenly disappeared . . . I have other cats we rescued from the street, but I didn't see them grow (up).  I just feel like there isn't the same "bond" between us. So I decided to get another kitty, just to be my new best friend. And that's how Chicko entered my home. His name is a kind of tribute to Chick Corea - one of the greatest jazz pianist ever , and one of the people that influences my way of playing music everyday :)

Favorite shared activity: Watching TV. ( I watch TV, he plays with my shoes)

Tell us about this photo: I had an awful day at work. I was just feeling brainwashed. When I took the shot, Chicko was jumping to get in the way... so I took him on my shoulder. In the end, I thought he was just like a little surrealstic touch to the shot. 

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: He just incorporates himself in my photography :-)

Woman Dreaming of Being a Cat

Woman Dreaming of Being a Cat; originally uploaded by Hope

Etsy Shop: Hope Images

Websites: Hope Harris Photography

Two Friends Pet Portrait Photography

Cat's name: Henry 

Human's name: Hope 

Length of cohabitation: 7 years 

How you came to live with each other: Henry lived downstairs from me with a single mom and her 3 young sons. He would come and want to hang out, which made me very happy and at the time I had no idea who he belonged to because he had no collar or tags. He often stayed over and I started feeding and caring for him and decided to call him Henry after an old friend of mine from Chicago. I later found out that his given name was "Easter" and he lived downstairs but I think all the children were too much for him. A year later, the family was going to be moving to a larger home and the mom came upstairs to speak with me. Henry hid behind the stove because he did not want to go. She explained to her sons that “Easter” would be happier staying with me, as he was now 11 years old and it would be too difficult for him to move to a new location. I was never so happy! We were together until he died at the age of 18.  He was very human like and sensitive and always well behaved and kind . . .  

Favorite shared activity: We liked just sitting together, he upon my lap, and taking in the beauty of peace and quiet. Our other beloved activity was when I had a photo session, wherein, he always loved to take a pose with whomever were the subjects…….he was such a delight in every way! 

Tell us about this photo: This was during a photo session I did of a client……he took right to her and the energy of the moment and became a reflection of the woman…… in both spirit and form . The memory of his ability to become a part of the process still leaves me speechless. 

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): I love their beauty of expression, spirit, their gentleness, awareness, and grace. I truly love everything about them and learn more each day , as it is my great fortune to live with them and have quality time in their amazing presence. 

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: Because of all their special qualities and the list is endless! 

Favorite animal charity: Most all of them

Blixa and Mia

Blixa and Mia, originally uploaded by Niklas

blog: Niklas' Blog

Cat's name: Blixa

Human's name: Mia

Length of cohabitation: 4 months

How you came to live with each other: we actually bought her from a breeder who at the time sold Sphynx cats (and today only American Hairless Terriers)

Favorite shared activity: playing/cuddling with her tummy

Tell us about this photo: Mia was getting ready for the day and Blixa - as usual - climbed up the towel-warming device and didn't know how to get down properly. She does today, however. Little devil...

What you love most about your cat (or cats in general): their individuality

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: because I love them and photograph all of my family members

Favorite animal charity: Stockholms Katthem - do donate

self-portrait (disturbed)

self-portrait (disturbed), originally uploaded by FrizzText

blog: Frizz Kolumne

Cat's name: Emily

Human's name: FrizzText

Length of cohabitation: 7 years

How you came to live with each other: our son-in-law found that cat, aged three weeks, under a car near Venice, hungry; he called her Amelia, but we use to call her Emily (Dickinson); she shares our life in Germany now, guarding our large garden; every day she delivers a killed mouse; maybe some Italian mafiosi among her ancestors

Favorite shared activity: brushing her fur

Tell us about this photo: we tried to make a self-portrait, using a mirror in our dining-room - we: barbara and dietmar fritze, married since 1965; but of course our cat ignored our work, she had to do her daily patrol

What you love most about your cat: sleeping and purring on me in the night, so that I can't sleep

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: cats are a symbol of independence, of being free; cats do belong to no one - but they belong to locations; both topics are interesting subjects for a photographer

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Lazy Sunday Afternoon, originally uploaded by Kidayo

Cat's name: Shoyru

Human's name: Jolanda

Length of cohabitation: 3 yrs

How you came to live with each other: i really wanted a fluffy cat, my favourites are Maine coons, this little pink creature is a mix between 3 furry species : ) i found him on the internet, then picked him up the next day *little secret, i was not allowed to have cats in my studenthome, but he lived there with me for 2 months* then i bought the home featured on the picture!

Favorite shared activity: watching tv with a cup of tea, and of course, shoyru is sleeping on my lap.

Tell us about this photo: i wanted to make a clone-shot, and he kept on walking in during the shoot. so i decided that if he really wanted to be in the shot, he was allowed to!

What you love most about your cat: I have got 3 cats, and they're all 3 completely different, Shoyru just loves to cuddle all the time, that's what i like the most about him.

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography:

Like i said, it was not my choice, he decided he should be in the shot :)

Chairman Jonah with Madam Meow, originally uploaded by Jake & Micah

website: Jake & Micah

blog: Jake & Micah Blog: Adventures in Catnip

Cat's name: Jonah (Joan Bear)

Human's name: Mei

Length of cohabitation: 8 months

How you came to live with each other: After the sudden passing of our beloved cat Micah we weren’t sure how or when we’d be ready for a new cat. Our older cat Jake was terribly lonely so it was decided a month later that it was time. I knew I wanted another Siamese so I put the word out to several rescue organizations. Just as I was about to give up I received an email with a link to his story and photo. I knew immediately that he was the one. We had to wait 2 whole days for the shelter he was being held at to re-open, then we rushed down and adopted him right away. He was terribly shy at first but every day he becomes more and more outgoing.

Favorite shared activity: Taking him outside to explore the backyard or sleeping in with him in the morning. He also likes to just hang out right next to me on the couch while we watch t.v.

Tell us about this photo: I was hoping to get portraits of myself with each of the cats. That is easier said than done of course. I like the way this one turned out because it’s not your run of the mill “cat with human” portrait. Jonah is the focal point and I especially like that.

What you love most about your cat: Jonah has the silliest personality that perfectly matches his quirky appearance. He has one floppy ear, crossed eyes, vampire fangs and ants in his pants. He is the most playful cat I’ve ever known. You can’t help but smile when you look at him. He’s simply adorable. 

How or why you incorporate cats in your photography: Cats are perfect for photographing. I take photos of my cats every day and I photograph cats during all my travels. Esthetically they’re enchanting and the camera just loves their beauty, grace and full range of expressions.

Favorite animal charity: Best Friends Animal Society