CATSDOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Discover the creative minds of two pet photographers whose colourful portraits capture the character of their canine models

- Kim Bunermann

Do you remember those red and yellow Fisher-Price plastic cameras that were popular in the 1980s and 90s? That’s where it all began for pet photographer Cat Race. Influenced early on by her parents, who were keen amateur photographers, Cat’s initial passion for photography was transformed into a career when she was lucky enough to get the chance to assist fashion photographer James Nader and, since then, she has pursued her art as a professional photographer.

After working for a while as a family portrait photographer in a studio, Cat swapped human faces for fluffy canine ones, setting up her own pet photographic studio, called CatsDog Photography. Just 18 months into her new role, Cat met her partner in life Michael Higginson, who is known as the dog whisperer, and he has since become her business partner. Michael has plenty of experience with dogs, having worked in an internationally recognised kennel after graduating from university.

Michael’s lifelong affinity and understanding of dogs and Cat’s photographic skills provided the perfect components for a successful collaboration and the duo now produce distinctive and eye-catching work.

“I think that’s something that makes us unique,” says Cat. “The work we produce isn’t just the result of one creative mind, but two.” Cat is usually behind the camera while Michael manages the lighting and the dogs. Together, they have travelled all over Britain and Northern Ireland and further afield to Europe and the USA, finding places to create colourful high-contrast portraits that capture the character of their adorable models.