We wanted to futureproof this project as best we could against generative AI. Many of our models look so extraordinary that it is hard to believe that they ever existed. For so long, the medium of photography has been seen as a faithful record of reality, yet AI-generated imagery is changing how we trust it.

Before, it was difficult enough to get the cats to sit still on set; now we have to prove they were ever there in the first place.

Come with me behind the scenes of Feline as I share how the book came to life, photographing in studios and on location around the world with my team - including Dave, our stand-in cat.

Masked like a bandit, Boy’s striking appearance and bold stare have made him a global sensation. After days of travel, I arrived in Borneo, Indonesia, to photograph him at a local studio. Our translator, who works with the local community at Sahabat Kucing Jalanan ("Street Cat Friends"), introduced me to their efforts in helping street cats, which include TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs and feeding initiatives. Behindthe- scenes footage from the shoot quickly went viral, amassing millions of views across Boy’s social platforms.

From my specially designed studio in Shoreditch, London, we removed the panels from the ground floor and inserted sheets of glass to enable us to shoot upwards from the basement. As the fearless thirteen-week-old kitten shown here strode over the glass, we took this shot from beneath. Full of boundless energy—something most of us seem to lose with age—the kitten later launched into a karate-like leap, as our producer and cat whisperer Gina coaxed him with a simple feather on a stick. Turn to the very end of the book to see this playful, athletic shot.

I wanted to capture the very grace and elegance that I feel defines my feline companion, Loki. The technique of light painting with a lightsaber-style light allowed me to trace his movements over a two-second time exposure as he transitioned from a passive to a more active stance. In this behind-the-scenes footage, you’ll see the shot being realized by Loki’s human staff.

We photographed Richie the Maine Coon in his home in Lille, France. See how his owner perfected his iconic hairstyle in our behind-the-scenes footage. In the background behind me you might notice Dave, our well-traveled, ever-reliable soft toy stand-in, who had been assisting with the pre-light setup before Richie took center stage. Once again, we find ourselves shooting wherever the cat deems itself comfortable, in this occasion the kitchen!

Leaving our studio in Shoreditch, London, at 4 a.m., my assistant April and I boarded the train to Paris for a one-day shoot. Narnia, the iconic split-faced feline, arrived with his manager in tow as we set up at the studio, tucked away in the backstreets of Paris. As you can see in the footage, it was a simple macaw feather, wielded expertly by April, that captured his attention. We always come prepared with a serious arsenal of cat lures in every color, shape, and size imaginable—yet, more often than not, it’s the humble tail feather that does the trick!

With the project in full swing, friends and colleagues soon began sending me potential feline models. Although we had already photographed some rare split-faced cats, the moment we saw Domiino, we knew she belonged in the book. Known affectionately by her owner as Queen Domiino, she was a rising social media star at the time of our shoot. It was crucial we capture behind-the-scenes footage of her extraordinary appearance, especially with advances in generative- AI imagery eroding trust in what is real. Watch her in her Rotterdam, Netherlands, home, perched confidently on a chest of drawers repurposed as a makeshift studio surface like the natural talent she is.

The generosity and support shown by everyone involved in this project has been nothing short of extraordinary. After discovering Zuu on social media, a single call to his owner in Japan set everything in motion. Just one month later, we found ourselves in Kobe, photographing this distinctive Exotic Shorthair. The local cat café where the shoot took place was a cozy, character-filled space adorned with whimsical artwork. Take a look at the footage to see the playful decor and unique charm of our makeshift studio. We were surprised to encounter a Cornish Rex during our visit, which was unexpectedly far from Cornwall, England, where the breed originates from and where I spent my childhood.

Meet the author of the “Cuteness” chapter, Professor Morten L. Kringelbach, and discover why we are so obsessed with cute cats. In this Oxford Sparks podcast, he delves into the neurological and evolutionary foundations of cuteness, revealing how our brains instinctively respond to traits such as large eyes and soft fur. Kringelbach discusses the solicitation purr—a distinctive sound that cats make to garner human attention— and offers fascinating insights into how cats communicate with us. The visual above illustrates the frequency and pitch of the solicitation purr.