I thought I'd share a few photos from my first cat show several weeks ago. I had some problems with the backdrop light not going off sometimes and the hair light was a bit brighter and lower than I wanted (I think it got bumped). But overall I was happy with how it went and got great feedback from the owners.

Diana

Shorthair Selkirk Rex (small brag, he is TICAs 10th best cat international at the moment, I co-own his Mom...)



Siberian



Somali



Ragdoll



Holiday Ragdoll (owner brought in the stocking)
http://starrlightphotography.com/pics/RockNRags_Img_3152_web_large.jpg


Savannah



Bengal (silver)



Ocicat



Bengal (very cool colored brown)



Maine Coon

oops, I must have done the url rather than the image option for the holiday ragdoll, either that or its too big. Will try again...

Congrats on your first show. Looks like you achieved a very nice result. Hope you have many more to come and continue your successes. My favorite is the second image. Lovely photo and cat. Although he does have a don't mess with me expression!

That is an awesome head shot of a beautiful Maine Coon Cat. Is that an LAPD?

It looks the Bengal got a light-beard....I hate it when that happens.

Congratulations on your first show. Tell us about the Savannah shoot that is also a wonderful shot.

Thanks Preston, a good part of surviving my first show and having the confidence to get through it was from all the help you and Helmi have given.

LOL, I did not even notice that beard on the Bengal. I'll have to look at the high res image and see whats going on.
You've had that happen before?

Isn't that MC gorgeous? Unfortunately all I really got on her is two shots on the christmas setup, she was pretty wound up. I'm hoping I'll be able to shoot her again on regular background in January. Its unusual for a female to have such great tufts and big muzzle I think. She's from Windriver MCs,
http://www.windwalkermainecoons.com/WindwalkerKittens_2009.html

The Savannah is an F1, she was there on exhibition only. She was pretty easy to shoot actually, pretty toy-driven so easy to keep her attention. I like that background, I tried to find fabric like Helmi's dark gold but have not been able to find it.

thanks again! Diana

here's another shot of the savannah

Oh Preston, Tugger's Mom, that I co-own, is from Lynn Landers Dickinson. Tuggers sire is Lynn's silver boy Horatio, maybe you've shot him before?

Diana

Diana,
I'm no expert on the cats themselves but your photography is excellent: good lighting, excellent backdrop selections, good expression on the cats. Love the Maine Coon! And the Savannah.

Great job. You should be proud -- and relieved .

Jim

Thank you Jim, that's very kind of you. I was rather stressed before this first show and was relieved it went well. My son came along and that was a big help. It also helped that I know a lot of the people already since this is where I've shown on and off over the years. Since I'm brand new to the field and really need to build up my portfolio, I pushed the fact I was doing all sittings for free and there was no minimum purchase. If they only wanted to buy one pose they could, and they didn't have to decide at the show, they could decide later. I made it clear this was a true introductory deal so hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the end. But it sure helped me get more breeds shot. One thing about shooting cat shows, (most of) the cats are pretty well behaved and (nearly) always very well groomed.

Thanks again, Diana