Description

354 - Cats might be the most overlooked clients in pet photography, and Dave Mayes is making a strong case for changing that. He shares how he photographs cats in their own homes, what his cat clients actually buy, and how his book Tough Kitties raised money for a local rescue.

What to Listen For

• Why cat sessions feel like wildlife photography indoors
• The weather problem that pushed Dave into cat photography
• Dave’s go-to lighting and backdrop setup for home sessions
• Why the owner is your secret weapon on shoot day
• The pre-shoot visit that sets every cat session up
• What cat clients actually buy (hint: not artwork)
• The silly composite his clients can’t stop asking for
• How a 5% donation shifts how clients think about artwork
• The type of client most drawn to cat sessions
• Three must-know tips for your next cat session

Cat sessions take patience, planning, and a great relationship with the owner, but the payoff is images your clients could never get on their own. Give this episode a listen and see if cats deserve a bigger spot on your calendar.

Find Dave online:

• Tough Kitties (Australia’s first cat photography book, sold through Maneki Neko Cat Rescue) 
• Instinct Pet Photography website
• Dave on Instagram: @instinctpetphoto

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial