I always squeal when contacted to photograph a new puppy or kitten member of the family in my Carrollton studio. They're only this small, and full of mischief, for such a short time that I love it when a family wants to remember that forever in pet portraits. Gloria and Karim are sisters that were adopted by a family with two young boys; one kitten for each boy, although word has it that Mom is pretty popular too.

In the pre-session consultation we discussed what they wanted for their images, how they planned on enjoying them and key images (i.e. an image of each boy with his new kitten) they wanted to make sure we captured, but overall their guidance was "we want their fun personalities to come through in the images, that's what we love most about them" so we brought in some toys and let the girls have at it.

(click on any image to view full screen)

Gloria the Snuggle Kitten

Gloria's family loves the white spot on her back

Noodle Kitten

Attack Kitten

Belly Rub Please Kitten

Karim the Tabby Cat Troublemaker

Karim is always on the lookout for trouble

Soccer Kitten

Interactive Kitten

Tyrannosaurus Kitten

Did you happen to notice what all these pet photos have in common? Did you enjoy the images any less just because the kittens weren't looking directly into the camera in any of them? You probably scrolled back to the top to check and see if that's true.

A photographer friend that I admire once said to me "embrace the imperfect" and I took those words to heart. As a pet photographer my number one goal is to keep the animal comfortable and the session fun for the pet parents. Often times that might mean images that some might think are "less than perfect" because the dog, or horse or cat isn't looking directly into the camera. Truth be told, those are often my favorite images from a session. They can be more visually interesting and make us wonder..."what are they looking at anyway?".

So what do you love most about your pet? If you said "everything" then I want to meet you!

All Around The Circle

One of my personal projects is participation in a weekly blog circle of other pet photographers from around the world. Each week we're given a subject to photograph and write about, when possible I use it as a creative spark to photograph something new, maybe try a new technique or lighting set up. This week's theme was "no faces" which got me thinking about how hard I sometimes work to get a dog or cat to look at the camera, and then the words "embrace the imperfect" float into my head and I release and just roll with the flow and catch magic in the camera as with these kittens.

I've been a part of this circle for over 3 years now and have made some truly wonderful friends (a couple I've even met in person). I admire their work and gain inspiration every single week. Do you love beautiful and cute pet photos? If so, then you'll want to travel around the circle with me.

Next up in the in the circle is Nancy of Nancy Kieffer Photography. Capturing the journey of you and your pet. Serving Syracuse, central New York, the Adirondacks and Beyond, once you the reach the bottom of her post, click on the link to the next awesome pet photographer to enjoy more stunning portraits of pets around the world.

Penny Whistle Photography Fetching Pet and Family Portraits in Dallas - Fort Worth

Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Don't miss out on capturing your new little furry's early days with your family forever with a pet portrait or puppy / kitten newborn session.

Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.

Let's talk about your pet's portrait!

3 Comments

Apr 11, 2021, 6:35:40 PM

Linda Perdue - These are so cute! I have never seen a kitty with a white spot like that. So great that you captured it perfectly.

Apr 9, 2021, 12:09:56 PM

Nicole Hrustyk - Embrace the imperfect - I love it. I think we're always searching for perfection and in doing so, we're missing out on all that matters. But, with that said, these images ARE perfection! Love them all!

Apr 9, 2021, 9:01:44 AM

Elaine - Embrace the imperfect is a sage piece of advice. I love these kitten pics, and that Tabby...oh boy!

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