Well, actually, it’s the exact same website. It’s the blog that’s different: the blog is now the front page! Like many other photographers, I was tired of having three different websites for my content. Therefore, I’ve integrated them into one. Welcome.

The idea behind having the blog as my front page is that it’s much easier for everyone to see exactly what’s going on with Cat Thrasher Photography at any given time. It allows you to see recent client sessions as well as updates on current events. Further, even though photography is a huge part of my life, there’s much more going on around here than that! This blog allows me to share that with you.

So, to see examples of client sessions, follow the “categories” link above to see all posts under a particular category.

Want to see the best of the best? Follow the “portfolio” link above to go to one of my two portfolio sites. These websites are also the place to go for session details and pricing.

This new front page is still under construction, but the bones are all here. Take a look around and stay tuned for updates on projects and details!

It’s this baby girl’s first birthday, and when I attempted to make a still-life out of her, she and the cat made it very clear that there was not going to be any sitting still. (How naïve of me!) Yet, then the shoot turned into the perfect mix of planned and unplanned.

The cat started out as my model (great for metering – thanks cat!):

It was a friendly cat, but we thought it best to get him off the table:

so that I could get some cleaner shots:

but that cat was all about that table:

This a great example of how shoots can be a collaboration between the photographer and the subject (and sometimes even the subject’s pets!).

I wanted to share this session with everyone because it was rather special: while I normally go to people’s houses to shoot newborns, these guys came to me in the studio! This was great because in the studio, I can exhibit a lot more control over lighting conditions and set-up. And he was such a beautiful baby!

Here he is, 12 days old:

The new parents:

Black and white Baby Rothko:

Congratulations to the new fam!

This series is my favorite photo series of Christmas day: my sister bought the two youngest boys the same green dump truck, which they opened at the same time and got very excited about. It was insanely adorable.

Opening the truck to ooo’s and ahhh’s:

they proceeded to drive them all over the house:

and then catapult them off the stairs:

and laugh hysterically:

and yell “TRUUUUUCK!” triumphantly. Victory!

I’m writing this post as all four grandkids and various adults are running around the house screaming “ALLIGATOR!! POLAR BEAR!!!” (Working during the holidays is a little harder than I imagined.)

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It’s hard to believe, sometimes, that just 12 months ago, my studio was used as a storage space for large machinery.

I’ve always loved interior decorating but hated getting dressed. Interior design has always seemed much more pleasant to me than picking out what clothes I’m going to wear in a given day. Yet, similar to shopping for good clothing, my style requires that I regularly look out for the right furniture by going to yard sales, scouring Craigslist, and digging into dark basements. The result is what you see in my studio: antique frames, vintage dressers, and Louis XVI sofas. There is nothing new in my studio – everything is a little aged.

The four frames on the outside in the photo below were made by local artists, and the one in the center is truly antique, pulled out of the basement of this very warehouse. If you see it in person, it is actually three frames put together to form a thick border, each laden with ornate detail. It’s still got some dust on it from the basement, but I think it adds character. As for the sofa, I believe that it is a Louis XVI-esque design, but I’m not sure. It’s covered in a tattered man-made material that I cannot wait to replace with something softer and silkier! Until then, I put it to use by covering it in pleasant fabrics for intimate portrait clients.

I have had this table (photo, lower left) for a long time. This was the only piece of furniture in my original “studio” in the Sophie House on Wertland St., back during my last semester at UVa.. When I first got it, I had some leftover Rustoleum paint from another project, so I slapped it on, and it turned out to be perfect! The high-gloss makes it look lacquered, and in combination with the modest lighting setup I had at the time, it yielded very dramatic portraits for some of my first clients.

This lamp and mahogany dresser/mirror set were both acquired in the front yards of Charlottesvillians trying to rid their houses of extra stuff. I was so lucky! Check out the wavy front on that dresser! If they even make furniture like this anymore, I’d be interested to know.

And who could forget this settee? I believe this one is a Louis XV canapé sofa, but again, I’m no furniture expert. This piece is currently at my mother’s house, waiting patiently to be reupholstered with new, red, silky Italian fabric laden in gold dragonflies. (Thanks mom!)