Celebrating Your Pet’s Life with Photos | Seattle Pet Photographer

January 31, 2016May 29, 20165 Comments

I recently had the great privilege of photographing a good friend’s family and her dog that was dying of a fatal heart cancer. We knew that Phoenix, who she had since he was a puppy, had only a few weeks left to live, even though outwardly he seemed pretty vibrant and energetic when I saw him for our photos. We didn’t have a long time to do photos that day, and we knew we wanted to get a good family picture, and undoubtedly some photos of Phoenix with their (now) 3 year-old. She hadn’t quite grasped that Phoenix would be ‘leaving’ soon…

There was still craziness getting the two dogs to sit side by side (although so much better than my dog ever could), and we talked a lot. I love hearing about how an animal came to be in someone’s life; everything about an animal is about the present, it’s not about the past or the future. Phoenix wasn’t worried about what was happening to him. He kept us right there with him. After the session, Phoenix was with them another 18 days, and so when I look at these images I know that I’m looking at a family and a beautiful animal and friend at a precious moment in time, and I’m so glad I was there. Time is so fleeting. It’s a bittersweet thing to take final photos like this but there’s great joy here. It’s celebrating the connection, the family, and how important that life is. Phoenix was important.

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So there may be a few people out there who don’t understand the bonds that some of us have with our pets, our companion animals. I like to think they may just not have found the right animal buddy yet. Some might make you feel silly for making such a fuss over your pet and don’t understand the grief you can feel at the loss of a beloved animal friend. I believe life is precious, and most definitely the life of an animal that has loved you unconditionally and always been by your side. And we all know that our animal friends never live as long as we wish they could…it can be really hard to say goodbye.

I know what it’s like to lose a pet (well, several), one that’s been in my life through thick and thin, not judging, always comforting. Words can’t always easily express that bond. Our companions leave us way too early and more often than not, we don’t capture the unique bond we have with our dog or cat on camera. Sure, maybe there are a bunch of not-too-awesome cell phone pictures, but maybe not some professional images. I even wish I had better and more pictures of several pets I have lost in my past, especially with me in them too.

So why do I want photograph your pets in their last days? And why should it be me?

Phoenix as a puppy

I don’t want other people to let days with their pets slip by, especially the last ones. Too many people lose their pets and tell me they wish they had got professional photos done with them. They tell me they wish I had taken the photos; I wish I had too. I know we can’t always anticipate an animals’ passing, but we do know when they are living on borrowed time, when they’re old, getting grey whiskers around their noses, and when they’re ill. We don’t always want to face it either. Having worked in veterinary clinics (and in rescue work) I have helped treat and been around many frail, old and sick animals that need extra special care. I want you to know this because I do understand the delicate nature of photographing a sick or aged kitty or pup; I also know what you go through getting closer to their passing, and eventually, saying goodbye. I’ve also been there for many people as they’ve said their final farewells with their precious companions in their arms. You can put your trust in me when it comes to recording and honoring an important and sensitive time.

My father’s cat, Jack, before he passed away

Some people are hesitant to get ‘last’ photos taken, since their pets may not look as they always have, not looking as healthy or as young as they once did. I think that all their life stages deserve to be remembered and I still hope to capture the spirit of that animal in the most honest and beautiful way. The feeling of regret over not getting images taken is not something I want other loving pet guardians to feel anymore!

I believe that our animals’ spirits stay with us when their bodies are gone, and this is something that comforts me. Their souls are so innocent, pure and loving, and we are so lucky we can have that in our lives. So many animals are never given the chance to be loved and then honored in this way, with a portrait and some images of their life, just to show how meaningful they were to someone. I hope I get to meet your beloved friend and companion, and that I can be entrusted with commemorating any of their days. Let’s celebrate the life that they have lived! The life they lived was important.

You can leave me any comments on this subject on this page, but you can also contact me with any questions about booking such a session over on this page here.

The problem with living is that pets don’t last long enough and people last too long.” ~ Anonymous

Louie (passed away at the grand old age of 20)

RIP Phoenix 10/19/2003 – 11/24/2015

**An expanded update of this post was published on the Katzenworld blog can be found by clicking HERE!

2016 Pet Blogger Challenge | Seattle Cat Photographer

January 11, 2016January 16, 201611 Comments

So I stumbled upon the post for this year’s Pet Blogger Challenge on the fab pet travel blog GoPetFriendly.com and thought I’d give it a go, just to connect myself with other pet bloggers and to share some things about me and my blog! It’s a little diversion from my usual posts, for a bit of fun, and some reflection. I’ll tell you what though, if we’re talking about travel at all, I wish I could do way more of it.

Blog Challenge Questions – 1. How long have you been blogging?

So I had to look this up because I couldn’t remember, and I should probably clean out my archives (it’s one of my 2016 website goals) but I’ve been chattering away about my photography, cats, my rescue pet photography work here in Seattle, since the start of 2012. It has evolved a lot in that time, as has my photography, which is what I hope everyone who comes to my blog, and looks over my site, will end up enjoying.

2. What is the one thing that you accomplished during 2015, either on your blog or because of it, that made you most proud?

I’m always proud to share my photography with people, but I do know that I was asked to be the Official Photographer for the Seattle Pet Expo, thanks to my blog/site. This was a great privilege for me, and documenting the event was a highlight. I also have been asked to join Getty Images as a contributing photographer, thanks to them finding my work on here, so that looks like something that will happen for me this year. I was also very proud to have my cat images come together to create our rescue’s 2016 Cat Calendar, and then to meet and have Jackson Galaxy go home from his book signing with a copy was icing on the cake.

3. Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why?

I would have to say my Wings of Rescue 11.20.15 post. I documented planes landing here with dogs and cats bound for rescues and shelters (from CA to WA) hoping for new homes for the holidays. It’s the second time I’ve documented one of these amazing rescue missions and they just blow me away. My first Wings of Rescue 12.5.14 post was probably more emotional for me but smaller in scale, but I want to continue to spread the word about these rescue flights, and show everyone just how many animals are in need…and can be helped.

4. What is one thing you’ve done in the past year that has brought more traffic to your blog?

Not only has being on CreativeLIVE driven traffic to my blog, I believe there has been so much that I’ve learned by being a studio audience member and watching their online courses that has helped me in many ways. When I was lucky enough to appear on an online course that the amazing pet photographer Rachael Hale McKenna taught, as well as one by the photographer Kirsten Lewis, I had a ton of traffic to my blog. These were great learning experiences for me, and they inadvertently put my face out there (it’s still out there forever when you buy the courses!).

5. Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Why do you think it was so popular?

I believe my Seattle Meowtropolitan cat cafe posts have been the most popular, as

well as the Wings of Rescue posts. The cat cafe was highly awaited here in Seattle, so lots of people wanted to see photos!

6. What is one blog that you read religiously – other than your own – and what makes you such a devoted reader?

Just ONE?!! That’s so hard. I read a bunch, but it’s probably got to be Clickin Moms for tutorials and the photography community.

And Boho Berry for planning inspiration!

7. What resources do you rely on to enhance your technical, writing, photography, social media, or other skills that improve your blog?

As a photographer, I practice my craft, of course, but I read many sites to stay on top of the latest, I read photography magazines, in print and digital, I also love TIME magazine, and following photojournalism blogs and sites. I watch online classes on CreativeLive on photography and business, and there are many great ones on social media too. There’s really not enough time to do it all. I really wish I had more time to read, but the most inspiring book I read last year was Lynsey Adarrio’s memoir ‘It’s What I Do’.

8. What is the best piece of advice you can offer other bloggers?

I’d never think I’m the best one to ask for blogging advice, only pet photography! (Feel free to ask me!) My advice would be what I’d give myself: keep it fresh, post regularly, and make it authentically you.

9. What is your vision for your blog in 2016? Do you have specific goals?

I need a better plan than last year but it was a difficult personal year for me (not that this year won’t be!) so things became erratic in the middle, including my posts!

I plan to have art prints of my cat photography for sale this year, and am going to start work on a rescue cat photography book (I keep getting asked!), so these things will all be reflected but my blog will always be home for my rescue work and my pet photography. I hope to get more personal projects done because they keep me creative!

10. You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there one blogging challenge you’d like help with, or one aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?

I just have to move over to a full WordPress site…I just have to have all capabilities of customizing and adjusting everything. I’m also frustrated by a WordPress.com site not acting like a regular site for the average visitor, and therefore it’s difficult for them to interact with it. I’m a little intimidated by the idea of changing it but I think it’s time! My ‘One Little Word’ of the year is Change so it’s 2016 or bust (that goes for a great many things).

Thanks for checking out my blog! Hopefully you will stick around and check out my many pet photography posts.

~ Katherine

Seattle’s First Cat Cafe Opens | Seattle Cat Photography

December 26, 2015January 14, 20165 Comments

I can’t tell you how happy I am that my city of Seattle is getting its first cat cafe, Seattle Meowtropolitan TODAY (that’s 12.26.15, Boxing Day). I first met the savvy entrepreneurs behind this, Matt and Andrew, about a year ago now, over coffee (of course) to simply talk cats. And finally the cafe is opening!!

Because we have been in touch ever since, to talk about rescue cats, my photography, and well, cats in general, I was lucky enough to get an early invite to check out the new cafe. I hope you can get a good idea as to how fabulous it is from my images…

There are several cities in the U.S. that have cat cafes (the closest to us is Portland) and I know that Seattle has been waiting with baited breath for this for a while now. No more waiting! I say bring it on…

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You must make reservations, so that the the main room with the cats isn’t overloaded with people, and the cats aren’t overwhelmed (the only waiting people may still have to do). The main area is fantastic: spacious, lots of light, with the beautiful center play column for the cats, with woodwork that I wish I could have in my own home for my cats. The carved-out silhouettes of cats and all the runways would have Jackson Galaxy so impressed. Even the flooring is beautiful, complete with a few painted swirling cats and the cafe logo. All I think they need now is some beautiful cat images on the walls (ahem!).

The adoptable cats come from Regional Animal Services of King County, and there were 3 kitties that were really busy when I was there (including the tuxedo model kitty you see, Penguin), and they are all free to move about as they please. Within reason… The front coffee ordering area and the main cat/play area is separated by double doors, so the old ‘I don’t want cat hair in my coffee’ is a moot point. I honestly don’t think you’d be coming there in the first place if that is your concern anyway. At this point in my life, who knows how much cat hair I’ve inadvertently swallowed!

My cat macaron was delish, my iced Americano with caramel (I drink iced drinks all year round!) tasted ‘Herkimer’ good, but what I mostly took away was that I wish the cafe was closer to me so I could make sure I can come more often. I’ll be back, and I hope all you Seattle cat fans get to go. I also hope it means some kitties get adopted through the cafe; the ones that I met that day were definitely working it.

And I don’t think you need to feel guilty about going to have your coffee and hang out with the cats. They are the most honest coffee date you will ever have, they are endlessly entertaining, and pretty quiet. Drop me a line if you make it in there!

The location in Wallingford is 1225 N. 45th St.; just off Stone Way.

Open: 11 am – 3 pm, 4 pm – 9 pm Closed Mondays

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” ~ Sigmund Freud

A Cat’s Holiday Wish | Seattle Cat Photography

December 25, 2015January 14, 2016Leave a comment

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays, whatever you celebrate at this time of the year. And mostly, warmth and love for all those animals out there that need homes. I believe that there’s the right home out there for every one of them. Peace and love to you all!

I took these photos of Bend just before Christmas, as he had been waiting a while to get adopted, hoping that our holiday campaign would get him noticed and that it would get him a home for the holidays. As luck would have it, just as I was finishing processing them, Bend found a home; funnily enough, several other times this has happened too, for other cats… It’s as if I’ve sent some kind of energy out there to say “Adopt this cat, his photos are almost ready!”. But here they are anyway. I’m thrilled to pieces that Bend has found a home. He had fast become a favorite of mine at the rescue, waiting far too long, in my opinion. I was so happy to see him every time I went in to the rescue and it’s always bittersweet to see a favorite cat start their new life. Wishing you a long and happy one, Bend. You beautiful boy!

Wings of Rescue Mission 11.20.15 | Seattle Rescue Pet Photography

November 23, 2015January 14, 20163 Comments

Just this Friday, about 1000 dogs and cats got a second chance at a new life, and I was lucky enough to witness the start of some of them. It was just about a year ago now that I photographed a Wings of Rescue Holiday Airlift that flew dogs and cats up here to Washington from California to find their new homes. I was blown away then at the sheer number of animals that arrived here, at the massive operation that goes on when all these rescues pull together to make this happen. Instead of animals facing euthanasia in overcrowded shelters in California, where overpopulation is a big problem, Wings of Rescue gives them a chance at a new life in other states, where adoption rates are higher.

First here are some images from the loading portion in CA, courtesy of Jim Nista

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SO, Jim Nista, my pet photography contact in CA (and volunteer photographer at Long Beach Animal Care Services), sends me a message the evening before the mission asking me if I might meet the flight and take photos again. It then occurred to me that the rescue I volunteer my time taking cat photos at, Seattle Area Feline Rescue, just might have some cats on board, since we had started transferring in cats from CA (I found out we were expecting 11 cats on the flights). I would HAVE to go meet this year’s airlift and photograph the arrival.

*Images taken at Paine Field, Everett, WA. Note: Captions may look cut off on mobile, as opposed to on laptop/computer.

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This year’s Home for the Holidays Airlift apparently broke the world record for the most animals flown to rescues in one day, close to 1000. It took 24 planes to do that, flying them to rescues in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Washington alone received about 400 animals; PAWS, the NOAH Center, Kitsap Humane Society, Skagit Humane, and Seattle Area Feline Rescue met the approximately 100 dogs and cats from the flights at Paine Field.

Here are just a couple of shots after we continued our journey onto the rescue…I ended up helping settle the cats in for the night. Luckily I’ll be able to follow up with these little ones soon.

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Waiting to have cages set up for them.

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Tabitha waits patiently. Well, sort of.

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This kitten was in with another one until I realized they weren’t getting along, so they were separated. Then she was climbing the bars to get a better look at me. So we had to have a cuddle before I said goodnight.

I have so many thoughts and big feelings about this whole thing. I’m so grateful to the pilots who donate not just the use of their planes, but they also donate the fuel. I’m constantly grateful to volunteers at rescues and shelters everywhere for their tireless work with animals. I’m so glad there’s this massive effort to do something like this (and I know everyone involved wishes they could do even more). Yet, there’s always this frustration that there is such a need to have to move such a large amount of animals around to get them adopted. But it does feel good to know that we can come together to help find homes for dogs and cats like this. It’s really pretty amazing. Let’s keep being amazing, everyone!