In this video, the Flicks are seen photographing a beautiful, slender show cat with a gorgeously dark and unusual coat. The Flicks work as a team. Helmi carries the camera, Ken does the rest, including, importantly, the lighting and set up. As far as I remember (if was years ago), the location is a cat show in Oklahoma.

There is no music so you can both hear what is spoken and see how the Flicks work. The cat’s breeder or handler is on hand to help position this sweet looking cat, which, of course, is a quality purebred, pedigree cat. The photo session requires three people to get the cat in the correct position for that fleeting moment when the composition and expression is aesthetically pleasing.

I have forgotten (again!) but as I see it, the cat is a black calico or tortie Oriental Shorthair that has not been bred to extreme (which makes his or her appearance so much nicer). The reason why I have made this assessment is because the cat is slender, has large ears, has a some ginger fur on her back and some white fur on her nose. Most of the coat is black with some white fur scattered amongst it.

The mobile, photographic studio, set up is in a room adjacent to the show hall, which is a large industrial type arena. It is pleasant enough but sparse until the cats arrive.

So what do you think? The Flicks are very professional. The photos are fantastic. The lighting, by Ken Flick, is excellent. Personally, I’d like to see handling of the cat that is slightly more gentle. However, I understand that a photograph has to be captured within a tight time frame and cats are not going to cooperate unless you give them a damn good reason.

However, I must remind myself that everything to do with show cats is a product of humankind. The whole thing is about us. The cats are players but it is our show.