
Ted was not immediately convinced that the studio was his idea of a good time — and honestly, that’s completely fair.
New smells, new sounds, new space… it can be a lot, especially for a cat. Ted took his time, stayed cautious, and made it very clear that he was going to move at his pace. Luckily, Olivia and her mom were absolute pros at giving him exactly what he needed: reassurance, patience, and zero pressure and LOTS OF LOVE. <3

One of the things I care deeply about during pet sessions is giving animals the time and space to settle in. There’s no rushing, no forcing interactions, and no expectations that they perform on command. We pause, we wait, and we let them observe until they’re ready. That’s when the real moments start to happen.
Ted eventually decided the cardboard box was a safe place to regroup, and from there, he slowly began to relax. His body language softened, his curiosity kicked in, and little by little, his personality started to show.

Cats are subtle. Their expressions are quieter, their movements more intentional, and their trust is earned — not assumed. Photographing Ted was about paying attention to those small shifts: the way his eyes followed movement, the way he settled when he felt comfortable, the moments when he forgot about the camera altogether.
Olivia brought such an easy, grounding presence to the session. Sitting with Ted, letting him lean into her, and simply being there with him made all the difference. Those calm, connected moments are always my favorite to photograph.

Sessions like this are exactly why I want to photograph more animals. Not because they’re perfectly behaved or instantly cooperative — but because they’re real. Every pet comes in with their own comfort level, personality, and boundaries, and I love working with that instead of against it.
Ted reminded me (again) that the best images happen when we slow down, respect the animal in front of us, and let them tell us who they are.
More cats. More dogs. More time to settle in and getting to know each other. I’m very here for all of it.
Ted, you’re welcome back anytime, especially if you bring a few cousins. I’m ready for more whiskers, more side-eye, and more cat supervision
Much Love,
Csilla


At Csilla Leonard Fine Art Portraits, we specialize in capturing the unique bond between pets and their people. As a professional pet photographer in Grand Junction, our photo studio is dedicated to creating timeless images that celebrate love, personality, and connection. Whether you’re looking for stunning wall art, custom albums, or keepsake portraits of your furry family members, we make the experience fun, stress-free, and unforgettable. If you’re searching for the best photographer in Grand Junction to capture your pet’s story, we’d love to help turn those fleeting moments into beautiful works of art.
We also serve Fruita, Glenwood Springs and Montrose, CO.