A Bond of Trust

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The bond of trust. Such an important part of any relationship.

Working at a client’s house the other day, we spent time working with her cats to ensure they were as relaxed as possible. Catnip and chicken pieces provided distraction from the camera, but the most critical element was the understanding which existed between the cats and their owner. Whatever their backgrounds – rescue, feral – these animals had a beautiful connection to the person they now look to as their caregiver.

Building confidence – this young man was rescued from a feral colony aged just 4 weeks.

One of my favourite parts of this job is meeting and working with people and their pets. Building the trust before beginning the shoot is enjoyable but also very important. Taking the time to let the animals meet me and relax means that when I do start to photograph, we have already established a positive connection. The role of the owner is a key part of the process. The more relaxed the owner is, the more relaxed the animal will be.

Making new friends – this beauty was rescued when pregnant. Before rescue, she was subject to severe abuse. Photograph (c) Mia Thurtell Photography

It is always very humbling to see the bond of trust between families and their pets, particularly in the case of rescue pets when the animals are settled as a loving and integral part of a family, having previously experienced trauma and chaos. Working with these pets and their people to create long-lasting memories is a real privilege. A couple of the final images from the recent shoot are shared below.

This young man was made for the camera.
A beautiful cat, happy with her new family.