Behind the Scenes: Photographing 12 Adoptable Cats in 2 hours
Last week, I had the chance to photograph a very special group of models: 12 rescue cats currently staying at Balmy Beach Pet Hospital and hoping to find their forever homes through Toronto Cat Rescue.
If you’ve ever tried to take a picture of a cat—your cat, a friend’s cat, or even one—you already know: cats do not pose on command. Now imagine twelve of them… each with their own personalities, energy levels, and opinions about cameras.
This session was chaotic, hilarious, unexpectedly heart-melting, and one of my favourite projects of the year.
Here’s a little look behind the scenes.
Turning a Vet Clinic Room Into a Mini Photo Studio
I arrived with my mobile studio setup:
a backdrop (simple and clean so the cat shines)
soft lighting
and a pocket full of cat toys and tricks
The team at the clinic cleared a small exam room for me, and within minutes, it transformed into a cozy pop-up studio designed specifically for feline superstars.
If you’ve never seen a cat react to professional lighting equipment before… let’s just say curiosity is very much alive and well.
Every Cat Has a Different Approach to “Modeling”
Some cats walked in confidently as if they’d been waiting for this moment their whole life.
Some needed a few minutes to sniff around, explore the set, and make sure the camera wasn’t secretly a vacuum cleaner.
Others were shy at first, but slowly warmed up until they offered beautiful, open expressions that made all the patience worth it.
What surprised me most was how quickly many of them settled once they realized they weren’t being poked, weighed, or examined—just admired.
My Process for Photographing Shy or Energetic Cats
When photographing rescue cats—especially in a new environment—I rely on a few key approaches:
1. Let Them Lead
I never rush. Cats need time to assess their surroundings, and forcing things never works.
Some cats photographed best in the first minute. Others needed ten.
2. Keep the Set Quiet and Predictable
Soft movements, soft voice, soft light.
The calmer we stay, the more they relax.
3. Work With Their Instincts
A feather toy for eye contact.
A treat for confidence.
A soft metallic tap (on my lighting equipment!) that instantly got their attention and gave me the cutest head tilts.
It’s a dance — and every cat has their own rhythm.
12 Cats, 12 Personalities
I didn’t know their backgrounds or stories, but their personalities came through instantly:
Aubrey, the bold one who marched in and flopped onto the backdrop like a supermodel.
Kirk, the tiny one who stayed unsure until a feather toy finally worked its magic.
Grenadine, the queen who owned the set the moment she walked in.
Each cat had something unique to offer, even if it was just a few seconds of perfect eye contact between zoomies.
And that’s the beauty of rescue animals: every little glimpse of personality is a reminder of who they can become in a loving home.
Why These Photos Matter
Meet Gemma, a fluffy ginger cat with long whiskers and amber eyes. She is very shy and tends to freeze with fear, but she is not aggressive at all. Once she feels safe, she allows gentle pets and has a soft, sweet spirit that is impossible not to love.
Rescue cats often get just a few seconds of attention from potential adopters scrolling through profiles.
A great portrait can be the difference between being overlooked or being noticed.
Photos help people see their personality, connect emotionally, and imagine them in their home.
If even one of these 12 cats finds their family faster because of a single photo—that makes the entire day worth it.
A Huge Thank You
Thank you to Balmy Beach Pet Hospital for hosting me and caring so deeply for the animals in their space.
And thank you to Toronto Cat Rescue for the incredible work they do every day.
I hope these portraits help shine a light on twelve wonderful cats who deserve a bright, safe, loving future.
Interested in a Cat Portrait Session?
Whether your cat is confident, shy, spicy, or somewhere in between, I’d love to capture their personality in a way that feels true to them.
If this session inspires you and you’d love portraits of your own cat, I’d be thrilled to work with you.
👉 Send me a message anytime
