MARF: Feline Fotography

 

 In case you haven't been paying attention to my Facebook page, I've been photographing for the Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF). I started fostering for MARF several months ago. We all know what a cat is like in public - they're stubborn, rambunctious, fearful, and sometimes downright angry. In order to get cats adopted, they need a way to present the cats to the public when they are relaxed and showing their best side. That's where I come in. Some I photograph at adoptions, but most are scheduled in a calm environment with a few props to make them extra pretty. 

I've photographed over 40 cats and kittens for MARF so far. The ones featured here are still available for adoption, looking for that special forever home.

 

 

This is Belle. A beautiful lady who is very confused right now. Her owner recently passed away leaving several cats homeless, including Belle. Belle is middle-aged at 6, meaning she's a bit more laid back and she's not likely to wake you up at 2:00 in the morning running like a wildebeest up and down the hall. Belle is also good with other cats and declawed. She would like to have a safe home again, can you give her one? She wants to find a nice lady to love her and let her sit close by and get attention. Belle is shy at first, but will stay by your side once she knows you.

After meeting Belle several times, she started to get a little comfortable with me and so I was able to photograph her in the adoption room during an adoption event. After I put a cloth down on the chair, she happily sat for me.

Betty is a spunky, long haired little angel - except that she thinks 'play biting' is a game. She is still in training with her foster mom to learn better behaviors, but she is making great strides. She prefers people, but can get along with other cats if they are to her liking. Betty wants affection and petting ALL the time on her terms.

Just for the record, although I was warned that I might receive a few nips during this photo session, Betty was nothing but sweet and easy going with me. This allowed me to get some great shots of her posing with props.

 

And now we come to my two foster babies, Butterfinger and his sister, Isabella. Here's a candid shot of them lounging on their cat tree together. This is a typical pose for both of them.

Isabella is a very shy girl, but a very beautiful cinnamon patched tabby. Though, very timid, she is also very playful and loves to steal my yarn balls and carry them throughout the house. Butters has completely transformed from the angry kitten who first came to me, to the calm, friendly boy he is now who likes to greet you at the door. Isabella draws a lot of comfort from her brother and is very nervous without him. If you have room in your heart and hearth for two, these buddies would love to go together. If you simply can't take two cats, Isabella will need a lot of special attention to manage her nervousness, but she's worth it. 

Butters took a few minutes out of his busy schedule of running around the room playing to pose for me, and look adoringly at me.

I  really cannot take too much credit for this lucky shot of her meowing at me. Isabella has the strange quirk of talking to me the entire time I have a camera out, in little chirps and meows.  

Piper is an amazingly beautiful grey manx. She was previously featured as one our Divine Divas, since she is both affectionate AND feisty. Piper knows what she likes. She is fearless exploring the house, but still growls when she meets up with another cat. Other cats they scare her very much - if you see her at adoptions, she will be very grouchy for the same reason. Piper is very playful and loves people. She prefers being the only cat, but could co-exist with another calm cat. She needs a calm house with no small children to build up her confidence and bring out her loving side.

  

 Despite her reputation of being very hard to work with, Piper was wonderful during this photoshoot (perhaps because there were no other cats in the room), and her beauty shone through. I photographed about 20 cats that day, and the ones of her are my favorite.

 

Garfield is a quiet, older kitty. He is a middle-aged gentleman at just under 9 years old, who just wants a relaxing home where he can sit next to someone on the couch and be stroked. Garfield came to MARF severely malnourished, but now he is doing well with a special diet, and the attention he needs. Since he has not received the care he deserves in the past, he may grumble from time to time when his battered old body complains, but he loves company and never tires of head scratches. We've discovered that Garfield is deaf, and so he's easily startled if he doesn't see you approaching. This guy appreciates gentle, quiet time with a loving person - and no other rambunctious animals around. If you have room in your heart and hearth for an "only" cat, please consider Garfield. 

Garfield very quickly became my favorite cat at MARF. I'm a bit of an old person myself, so we got along great. He would sit right where I put him, making him very easy to photograph. 

Snow White is truly a beautiful Diva. Pure white with two color eyes, this lovely lady is a dear! Unfortunately, like many white cats, Snow White is deaf, making it very easy to startle her; a household with small children will not likely be a good match. Snow White has urinary tract issues so some extra care is needed to keep her healthy and using her litter box properly.

Took photos of this lady as a "just in case." I was told that MARF already had some good photographs of her, but if I had extra time I could photograph her. These shots are the work of just a few minutes. A wonderful lady, who held nice and still for me.