There are so many sessions I could have started with as my first to write about... but this one lives rent free in my brain.


Mariah — or as I’ve always known her, Mia — and I have known each other since high school, back when we were both Medway Cowboys. I’ve had the absolute joy of watching her do amazing things with her life, while she’s witnessed my own journey — from chasing her around the rugby field with my camera to now, turning those “crazy antics” into my full-time career.


So when she reached out with an awesome idea she wanted to do — not just for herself, but also as a really meaningful gift for her mom — I was 1000% on board immediately.

I can still picture our back-and-forth conversations: sharing inspiration photos, talking strategy (including cat nip, because priorities), brainstorming ways to keep the true stars of the show engaged, and even tossing around ideas like “maybe a wicker basket?” and “what if we use the piano?” (Spoiler: you’ll see that part later.)


One of the best parts of this session? It wasn’t just about photographing Mariah — it was about photographing all of the important pets. Which meant I got to cuddle, pet, and photograph the most adorable little (and not-so-little) friends imaginable. Truly a dream scenario.

The very first thing I did when I walked in was meet each of the shining stars of the household — so it only feels right to do the same for you.


So… introducing…

A series of four photos showing a tabby cat with bright yellow eyes lounging near a window in different poses.

GIXXER


This precious little bean — while very squishable — was far more interested in keeping an eye on the birds and squirrels outside the window. A true multitasker.

And oh… they absolutely knew they were a model. Constantly striking little poses, doing a casual strut, and soaking up the camera. But the best part? Any time they were with Mia, you could see just how happy and content they were — and that made my heart so, so full.


A black long-haired cat with white chest patch and bright yellow eyes lounges by a window in soft natural light.

CHANEL


Black cats will always have a soft spot in my heart, and out of all the shining stars, Chanel took the longest to warm up to me.

That didn’t bother me at all. I was happy to wait and let her come to me in her own time — because those eyes were worth it.

There was something so fairy-tale about her presence, like the kind of black cat who steps out of the shadows and instantly makes you feel safe.

A fluffy white and grey cat with bright yellow eyes sits attentively on a wooden floor looking up at the camera.

DAFFODIL


Daffodil was one of the first to greet me when I walked through the door — other than Poppy, who immediately welcomed me with a full bundle of love.

Daffodil had just the right mix of sass and princess charm, and the moment she came trotting down the stairs, she stole a piece of my heart. With all that fluff and softness, she was impossible not to snuggle (or at least want to). And being the youngest, her playful energy was so unbelievably adorable.

A tabby cat with bright green eyes lies relaxed on a white surface in a panoramic style photo.

BUTTERCUP


Buttercup might have been the oldest of all the stars, but she definitely didn’t act like it. She mastered the “what can I do for you?” look — cool, confident, and slightly judging — but once I sat down, waited, and she decided I passed the vibe check, she turned into the sweetest little attention-lover.

She wanted all eyes on her, rolling around on the floor and playing peek-a-boo in the lavender like it was her personal stage. Honestly, I completely understand why the moment Mia and Deb found her, she was immediately coming home with them.

A black and white Havanese puppy sits on stone pavers with purple flowers in the background.

POPPY


The only doggo of the home — and the most adorable little fluffy girl. Truly a star in her own right.

She was energetic, gentle, happy, and so much fun to be around. I was fully obsessed with how soft she was and, even more, with the bond she shares with Mia. You could feel the love between them instantly.


With a home full of such amazing souls, after taking the time to meet and get to know each of them, it was officially time to get to work and capture all of their cuteness — exactly as they are.


Playful tabby cat lying on its back showing whiskers and teeth while relaxing on light colored surface.
A black cat peeks over the top of a piano with 'CAT3' visible on the music stand.
A playful cat stretches and rolls around on a windowsill, showing off its belly while playing with colorful toys.
Close up of tabby cat paws resting on a textured white chevron patterned fabric.
Close-up portrait of a white cat's face showing its striking yellow eye and pink nose against a blurred background.
Black cat lounging on a white windowsill in silhouette against bright natural light.
A fluffy cat stretches up to look out a window while resting on a cushioned window seat with a floral pillow.
A gray and white cat playfully descends a carpeted staircase, stopping at each step to peek over the edge.
A gray tabby cat lounges near a window with soft pink and blue decor in the background.
A tabby cat sits on a beige carpet near wooden furniture legs in a sequence of six connected photos.
A black cat's glowing yellow eyes peer mysteriously through a dark gap under furniture in dramatic lighting.
Tabby cat lounges on windowsill cushion while gazing upward near floral pillow in natural light.
Two cats sit beside a golden saxophone and scratching post on hardwood flooring.
A black cat with bright yellow eyes rests on a windowsill in natural lighting.
A tabby cat with green eyes and striped fur sits on a textured white surface in a bright room.

Backyard Fun!!

Once we captured all the cozy, inside moments — everyone playing, relaxing, and being their true selves — it was time to head outside and explore their beautiful backyard. And the best part? Everyone got to come along.



Watching the cats wander in and out of the garden was so cute. I loved following them as they explored their little secret spots, popping in and out of the greenery like tiny adventurers.


Meanwhile, Poppy was living her best life — running around the yard and then casually perching in the bushes like the princess she is.


And of course, we couldn’t finish without grabbing a few photos of Mia with her Gixxer, because it just wouldn’t be complete without it.

The cuteness maxed out, time to let the photos speak for themselves.

A tabby cat lounges outdoors in a series of connected photos showing it relaxing in different positions on a concrete surface.
A black letter board with spring flower names sits among purple blooms and green foliage in a garden setting.
Black and white cat with bright green eyes peeks out from under leafy branches near purple flowers in a garden setting.
Close-up sequence of a tabby cat's face showing different expressions and head angles with bright yellow eyes.
Six black cats with different poses lounging outdoors in a natural setting.
A brown tabby cat lounges on a garden path with purple lavender flowers blooming in the background.
Someone relaxes on stone steps with a cat in a garden setting with a white fence and brick wall.
A curious tabby cat peers through blooming purple sage flowers in a garden setting.
Tabby cat with bright blue eyes peeks through blooming purple lavender flowers in a garden.
A tabby cat snuggles close to someone wearing a lace top and jeans in an outdoor setting.
Long-haired black cat walking gracefully across a gravel path with green foliage in the background.
A fluffy gray and white cat lounges beneath blooming purple catmint flowers in a garden setting.
A woman with long dark hair plays with a fluffy grey cat outdoors in a collage of four similar photos.
A sequence of photos showing a black cat jumping into a swimming pool from the edge.
A cat and owner share a tender moment among purple flowers on stone steps.
Black and white Old English Sheepdog puppy sitting on stone pavement with purple flowers in the background.
A fluffy white and gray cat being held and petted while sitting outdoors on a sunny day.
Tabby cat stalking through brown mulch and dried leaves in a garden setting.
A sequence of photos showing someone lying down on a stone wall in different playful poses outdoors.
A woman in pink embraces a brown tabby cat in a series of affectionate poses outdoors.
Stone retaining wall in a landscaped garden with mulch and plants visible.
A gray cat cuddles affectionately with someone sitting near purple flowers in a garden setting.
Person in light sweater and jeans lying on ground playing with striped tabby cat outdoors.
A curious brown tabby cat with bright eyes peeks over a shoulder while being held outdoors.
Black and white shaggy dog resting peacefully in a bed of lush green ornamental grass.
Cat receiving affectionate kisses while sitting outdoors in warm sunlight.
A black cat is held lovingly outdoors against a backdrop of yellow wildflowers and a brick wall.
Black and white dog with fluffy fur lying in tall green grass with a blue toy.
Two pets relax together on a stone patio with purple flowers and garden decor in the background.
Garden scene with stone steps, terracotta pots, and purple flowers blooming in foreground.

The Little Details Matter

I can never leave a pet session without capturing the little things — tiny noses, soft paws, and curious eyes. The details that make each pet completely their own.

They’re beautiful in colour, but in black and white, they feel especially soulful — and always end up being some of my favourites.

Close-up black and white portrait of a tabby cat's face showing one eye, whiskers and partial profile view.
Close-up black and white photo of a cat's face showing striking eyes and whiskers in a dramatic profile view.
Detailed monochrome photograph of a cat's nose and whiskers against a light background.
Close-up black and white photo showing a row of cat paw pads in silhouette against a light background.
Series of black and white close-up shots showing different angles of a cat's facial features.
Extreme close-up black and white portrait of a cat's face showing intense eyes and whiskers.
Close-up black and white portrait of a cat's eyes and face showing intense feline gaze.
Close-up black and white macro shot of a fluffy white cat paw with soft fur detail.
Close-up black and white profile portraits of a cat's face showing striking eyes and whiskers in a series of four images.
A close-up black and white portrait of a cat's face showing detailed whiskers and expressive eyes.
A close-up black and white photo sequence showing different angles of a tabby cat's face and whiskers.
Close-up black and white photograph of a cat's whiskers and nose against a textured background.
Close-up black and white photo showing cat paw pads and fur in a sequence of similar shots.
A close-up black and white photo series showing the piercing eye and whiskers of a black cat in dramatic lighting.
Black cat with bright yellow eyes stares intently in dramatic black and white photograph.
Artistic black and white macro shot of a cat's fur and whiskers in soft focus.
Close-up black and white photo of a shaggy dog's nose and mouth showing fluffy white and dark fur details.
A black and white close-up photo series of a shaggy dog's face showing different angles and expressions.

The Bond Between a Girl and Her Dog

After all the backyard fun, we headed out for a little walk to a spot where Poppy could run free — and honestly, my heart couldn’t handle how cute it was.


Watching Mia and Poppy walk, play, and explore together, it was so clear their bond is everything. You could feel the trust, the love, and the pure joy between them, and yes… it absolutely made my heart so happy.


Mia is clearly Poppy’s number one person, and Poppy is without a doubt her number one adventure pal.

Go ahead — look at these photos and try to tell me otherwise. 

A couple embraces in a lush green field during a romantic outdoor photoshoot.
A black and white dog plays with someone wearing a beige hat and lace top in a sunny meadow.
A black and white dog plays with someone wearing a beige hat and lace top in a sunny meadow.
A black and white Bernedoodle dog being held outdoors by someone wearing a brown hat and lace dress.
A person lies in a grassy field with a dog on a sunny summer day.
A person in casual attire crouches down in a grassy field on a sunny day while taking photographs.
Small black and white Shih Tzu puppy plays happily in a grassy meadow on a sunny summer day.
A person and their black dog walking together on a grassy hillside path on a sunny summer day.
Person in lace top lying in grass field with black and white dog on summer day.
A person and black dog lying together in a grassy field on a sunny summer day.
Person in lace dress lying on grass with fluffy black and white dog enjoying sunny day.
Person lying in grass while playing with a fluffy black and white dog in an outdoor setting.
A person feeds a treat to a large black and white dog in a grassy outdoor setting.
Person and small dog share a tender moment while relaxing together in tall grass on a sunny afternoon.
A person lying in grass gives affectionate kisses to a small black and white dog in a series of photos.
A person and a fluffy black and white dog share a tender moment lying in grass with soft bokeh background.

Moments Like these

Sessions like this are truly what I live for — real homes, real connections, and pets being exactly who they are. Being invited into spaces like this and trusted to capture these moments is something I’ll never take for granted, and I’m hoping for many more sessions like this in the future.


If this session made you smile, just know it made my heart very, very happy too.


Thanks for being here and sharing this one with me.

Follow me on Instagram