Captain: The Reluctant Senior Cat
Pet Portrait Session - Los Angeles
Thirteen-year-old Captain did not want his photo taken. We're just going to say that right up front.
When his mom Katie saw our work at a Burbank art show, she immediately gushed about the love of her life. She told us that after Captain's recent cancer diagnosis and a surgery on the horizon, she wanted to get portraits while she still could.
She'd looked at other LA photographers, but said their sessions felt too rushed for cats, their process wasn’t as personalized, and that the lifelike details in Shuttermutt Photo portraits were simply “without comparison.” (Well, if that doesn’t make us blush, we’re not sure what will!)
However, she did have one concern, the same as most cat parents: Captain is very sweet and outgoing at home, but not so much in new places. We told her that's exactly why we only photograph one family per day in our private studio, and that we'd give Captain all the time and support he needs. Knowing that, Katie was in!
Photo Session Prep
Before the session, we asked Katie to send photos of walls in her home where she might want to display Captain’s portraits. Once Katie was in the studio, we’d then use the wall photos for virtual artwork design. However, the photos also came in handy as we helped Katie choose background colors for the session.
Her home has dark stained woods and colorful accents, and she planned to wear a beautiful black and gold dress for their family portraits. After mocking up how Captain and her dress would look against a few of our suggested colors, Katie decided on evergreen and ruby backgrounds to complement her home, wardrobe, and Captain's gray fur.
Reading Captain's Energy
When Captain arrived for his session, we first gave him 30 minutes to roam the studio while his mom shared stories about her boy. Once Captain's energy told us he was ready to roll, we grabbed our trusty arsenal of treats, toys, and catnip, plus some string cheese since Katie said, "He can get over almost any fear if string cheese is involved."
We then spent about 1.5 hours photographing Captain and Katie with plenty of breaks woven in. Whenever Captain's energy said he'd had enough, we paused. Before continuing, we made sure to check on Katie's comfort level because, though we all rationally knew Captain would be just fine, it was really important to us that both Captain and his mom felt comfortable during the session. After wall, if we humans are stressed, the cat will be too, and no one wants that!
“I anticipated things going smoother with my little guy..., but Laura and Adam never once made it seem like an issue or like they were anything but happy to be working with him.”
Captain eventually came around to understand that a few seconds in front of the camera would allow him another break and time with mom. In the end, everyone's patience paid off and we were left with a wide variety of gorgeous portraits, probably much to Captain’s chagrin!
The Two of Them
Here's the thing about a cat who yowled and scowled through most of the solo shots: when Katie held him in her arms, he quickly settled. Whatever irritation he'd built up toward the session began to melt as he soaked up the comfort of his person. As Katie held Captain, we told her to just love on him as she normally would, and we would keep snapping photos.
That's when the real portrait magic happens with families, when they're just being with their pets, giving kisses, laughing at their goofiness, or taking a quiet moment to connect in a way only they will understand.
Before the session, Katie had known she wanted a framed portrait of Captain, but after seeing photos of them together, she decided she also wanted a photo album. We were fully on board!
There was no denying it would be the perfect way to celebrate all of Captain's quirks, as well as to represent the incredible bond he has with his mom...including how his little paws stand up in the air when she holds him like a baby.
“By some miracle (their talent, really), they managed to get beautiful shots of him where he didn’t look like he wanted to murder everyone in the room.”
The Artwork
After the photo session, we all sat down to review Captain’s best photos. He’d put up a good fight, but we still managed to sneak dozens of great shots. Katie laughed, gasped, and 'awww'd her way through the slideshow, and then we got to work designing Captain’s artwork.
After mocking up how different images, sizes, and frames would look in their home, we landed on a diptych to stop any cat lover in their tracks: a full-body action shot paired with a headshot, both in dark-stained, wooden frames with museum glass to minimize glare.
“I know I’ll cherish these photos forever because they just seem so *him*...The finished prints are stunning works of art, and my photos of them don’t do the justice for how beautiful they are in person.”
Katie also asked us to create a photo album with her other favorite images. It would be the perfect way to share his photos with visitors, as well as to fondly flip the pages for years and remember all Captain and Katie meant to one another.
Our favorite part of the final album was actually not a photo at all! We knew how deeply Katie loved Captain, so before ordering the album, we asked if she’d like us to include a handwritten note from her, to or about Captain. We won’t share the private note here, but we can assure you it was the right ending to the album. Just like the photos, Katie’s message beautifully encapsulated everything Captain means to her.
We’re so glad Captain's health scare is behind him now, and that Katie has the portraits to prove her resilient boy made it through. Captain’s session was a perfect example of how even a very resistant pet can create stunning, meaningful portraits. All it takes is patience, flexibility, and the love of their person.
“The fact that they gave Captain all the time he needed really helped, but more than that the quality of their photos speaks for itself. They are crisp and stunning, capturing every little detail of my little guy. I know I’ll cherish these photos forever because they just seem so *him*. I could rant forever about how wonderful Laura and Adam are, both as people and photographers. Thank you, Shuttermutt!!!”
Interested in a photo session with your own reluctant senior cats?
Hi! We’re Adam and Laura Claus, the husband-wife team behind Shuttermutt Photo. We create custom pet portraits for those who love their pets like family. Reach out to us to learn how to make your own memories with your cats at our Los Angeles studio.