Li Ward photographer of pets and weddings. Fat Orange Cat Studio is a fresh and candid boutique photography service in Boston, Massachusetts.

Here now is a true fat orange cat. Yogi is a gorgeous Maine Coon, and at 19 lbs he really puts my own fat orange cat to shame. I came home from the shoot and Veebs suddenly resembled to me a small orange pea. I think I will now disclose that Veebs is really not that fat, and so my company name is a sham. It should be renamed to Cheerful Orange Cat Whose Plumbing Got Recently Backed Up Because His Mom Tried to Switch Him to a Raw Diet (but that is another story for another day).

I slung Yogi over my shoulder and it was like carrying a baby lion that had just eaten a baby hippo. I loved it!

Yogi is from the same household as Kendall the boxer. He is a funny little bugger. He was so very camera-ready.  Look at him lounging on his back, doing the occasional stomach crunch. What do you mean this isn’t normal?

I am wayhayhay behind on photo sharing, so before another week goes by without content, I thought I’d post some quick photos of the one thing that can be understood in all languages: MEW MEW MEW.

Our neighbor Marna and friend of the Animal Rescue League of Boston invited us over for the first in what I hope will be an on-going series called “Kittens and Wine Friday.” In a safe and welcoming environment, we drink wine, nibble on cheese, and discuss the current state of kitten affairs. The kittens in question this week (and probably the next) were Freddy and Trip, a pair of 5 week-old orphans that Marna is currently fostering. She took over for another foster whose responsibility was to bottle-feed these little gremlins, since their mother had died shortly after giving birth. They are but weeeeee weeeee things.

This is Trip:

This is Freddy:

And this is Figaro, aka The Big Fig!

He was the first cat I photographed at the shelter many moons ago. After months and months at the shelter, Marna ended up adopting him. Figaro is the most awesomest cat ever, don’t tell Veebs or Bunny. He is a full-figured boy with garlic bulb markings on his face and is just such a character. He so far has helped foster 6 kittens or so, showing them how to properly stalk and chase string.

Here he is with Freddy – the little black blob at the end of the string – for scale.

A big thanks to Marna and Figaro for hosting Kitten and Wine Friday! We’re hoping to reciprocate the gesture soon…Again, don’t tell Veebs or Bunny.

This pretty little lady with the dashing yellow-green eyes and the Cindy Crawford mole is Katrina. Her owner is Kerrie of The Back Bay Framery. Katrina is 15 years old, and this is her official coming-out party. She is ready to be wooed by treats and under-the-chin scratches.

I know I shouldn’t be preferential towards any specific species, but I really do love photographing cats so. so. much. I can practically see all the little secrets they have stored away inside their furry heads.

Behind the Scenes
Katrina has her own little room to which she retreats, to sort of, you know, get away from it all. Curled on the arm of the sofa may be her way of sinking into a nice bubblebath with a glass of merlot. So though she said nothing, I could tell she wasn’t thrilled that I kept following her into this space, especially when she dashed in there a few times specifically to get away from me. Ha ha. But what a great room! A couch that matched the color of her eyes, and punched up by pink and magenta pillows. And the window treatments! I was obsessed with working the curtains into the shot, literally. Deliberately held the the gauzy white curtains in frame, shot after shot after shot, while Katrina looked at me like, What, what, what are you doing in my SPACE?!

Thanks Katrina for a lovely morning. Mwah!

I met up with the very lovely Sarah Mica for a little photog meet-and-greet at the Eastern Standard a couple months back.  I really like these one-on-one meet ups with other area photographers over drinks, where we can really talk and get to know each other. Sarah and I hit it off immediately, and the deal was officially sealed as soon as she mentioned that she had two Ragdolls sitting at home. I pretty much forced my way into her house so I could photograph them. And pet them, and hug them, and braid their hair, and trade scratch ‘n sniff stickers. I have always, always wanted to meet a Ragdoll.

Ragdolls are not dolls made out of rags, no. They are cats made out of a million cotton balls that have been brushed and combed until they are at maximum puff capacity. They are named such because of their tendency to go limp when picked up. Because they are so nice and will let you have your way with them.

Here are the beautiful Nola and Bijou, making their modeling debut.

I don’t know how else to say this but I just want to dive into their chests and live there.

Last month I took a stroll through my neighborhood to meet Lucy, a 6-year-old black pug with big shiny eyes and some distinguished grayness around her snout. I love neighborhood shoots, and I love pugs! Dan has decided this is his favorite breed. They’re always so, so happy to make your acquaintance. It was bitterly cold outside so we kept inside. Snug as a pug in rug. Here are some of my favorites.

Who’s there?

Why it’s Sadie the kitty, at a young 16 years of age, deciding she’d like to make an appearance afterall.

BEHIND THE SCENES!

This is what shooting in New England is like in the winter, for all you spoiled West Coasters out there running around shooting in your bikinis in January. We stay indoors, still with our hats on, and make use of whatever lighting is available, weather it be natural lighting through a window, artificial indoor lighting, or a combo of both. But no on or off-camera flash is fired.

{ ^ Using D300 + 17-55mm here ^ in case you’re cures.
I haven’t upgraded lenses in over a year/trying to see how far I can go with the two I have.
I’m about to cave soon. }

Lucy and Sadie’s owner has already picked up his large-scale mounted prints for the home office. He selected the first and last photo of Lucy you see here, and one of Sadie in mid-mew (such a squeaky baby mew she had!). My own personal favorites, and “round one” of orders, he says. Now that’s what I like to hear! Thank you Lucy & Sadie for a wonderful shoot!