Alien – Black Sphynx cat wearing Black Dracula cape

I have to admit, Alien is one of the coolest cats I have ever had the pleasure to photograph; when I was looking for a Sphynx cat to create an image for the book ‘Why Dogs are better than Cats’ I approached a few breeders and I knew instantly when a breeder talked to me about Alien that he was ‘the one’ for this particular image. I normally go to the cats home to create images as they are normally far better in their own environments, but the breeder assured me that Alien would be fine to come to the studio and it would not be a problem for him to wear a Dracula cape! I asked for Alien’s measurements so I could make him a cape and requested Alien’s owner to cut up an old t-shirt and for a few minutes a day, prior to the shoot date, tie it around his neck with fabric draped down his back to get him use to wearing a cape like costume. Cats are notorious for hunching and/or lying down when placed in an item of clothing so it is always important to do a bit of desensitisation prior to the shoot day. Alien took all of this in his stride, as well as the trip to the studio, he pranced around with his tail up like he owned the place and as soon as I asked him to hop onto the background, up he hopped and allowed me to tie the Black Cape around his neck then posed perfectly while I captured his portrait….if only all my subjects were as relaxed and willing to please.

Alien was Photographed by Rachael using a combination of Natural light and a Large Elinchrom Octa Softbox on a Hasselblad H2 Camera with a Phase One Digital Back

Rachael recommends this image to be framed using a Black Frame, this image looks best full bleed when using a Black Frame; this image can also look striking with a white border and framed with a white frame.