Inspiration, Copying, and the Courage to Own Your Creative Vision with Cat Race

Cat Race has been photographing dogs professionally since 2013, and she is one of the most recognisable names in the industry. Her work has won awards, appeared in national and international publications, and her Scarf Project is one of the most distinctive bodies of work in dog photography today. She is also refreshingly honest about the things most photographers don't talk about out loud.

In this conversation, Cat and Ina go deep on what it means to build a career that is genuinely your own, from protecting a creative idea before releasing it into the world, to posting a reel openly sharing a £5,000 sale, to the ongoing question of where inspiration ends and copying begins.

There is a lot in this one that will make you think differently about your own work.

In this episode we cover:

Cat's unconventional path into professional photography, including her year working inside Venture Photography and what that early experience taught her about the real value of photographic work
How her style evolved gradually over more than two decades. Note: after recording, Cat clarified that when she mentioned her distinctive style beginning in 2021 or 2022, she was specifically referring to the launch of the Scarf Project as a defined body of work. Her visual evolution actually began from the very start of her career and built naturally to that point. She has shared a series of images labelled by year so you can see that progression yourself, linked below.
The story behind the Scarf Project: how it began as a tiny ribbon on her dog Lily at Christmas, why she kept it private for a full year before releasing it, and why she would do the same again
The inspiration versus copying conversation: where Cat draws the line, how her thinking has shifted through her ongoing conversations with Gabi Kline, and why she believes the more important question is whether you are making something genuinely yours
Pricing confidence and what it actually comes from. Cat's first year in business she averaged £500 per sale. Her average at the end of last year was £3,000. She will tell you it had nothing to do with her style, her awards, or how long she had been shooting.
The reel she posted publicly sharing a £5,000 client sale, why she did it, and how it led to her collaboration with Gabi
Her lead generation model using events, model calls, and price draws, with an assistant who qualifies leads before sessions happen
The bootcamp she runs with Gabi, what it covers, and what following the path of least resistance has changed for her
What she would prioritise if she were starting over today (her answer may surprise you)

A note from Cat after recording: Cat wanted to clarify her comments about when her distinctive style developed. The Scarf Project launched in 2021 and marked a clear turning point, but her visual signature evolved gradually from the beginning of her career.

Resources and links mentioned:

Cody and the green scarf at Giant's Causeway (a key Scarf Project moment): Watch here
Milkshake the flying pug: Watch here
The pricing reel that connected Cat and Gabi: Watch here
Gabi Kline's episode on The Pet Photographers' Journal: Episode 6 Season 1

Connect with Cat Race:

Website: CatsDog.co.uk

Instagram: instagram.com/catsdogphotography

YouTube: youtube.com/@catsdogphotography

TikTok: tiktok.com/@catsdogphotography

Facebook: facebook.com/catsdogphotography

🎓 How to Price Your Pet Photography for the Income You Actually Want

A live workshop with Ina Jalil — Wednesday 15 April, 8am Sydney time.

If you've been pricing based on what other photographers in your market charge rather than what your business actually needs to earn, this workshop is for you. We'll work through the maths together from your cost of doing business, your income goals, how many sessions you want to do and build a pricing structure that actually adds up.

Replay included if you can't make it live.

Register here → https://www.inajphotography.com.au/pricing-workshop

💬 Join the Pet Photographers' Collective

If you want to sign up for the workshop, join the Pet Photographers' Collective — it's a free community for pet photographers who want to build a profitable, sustainable business with less overwhelm.

Inside, Ina shares:

✨ Practical marketing tips

✨ Business lessons and mindset shifts

✨ Free resources to help you grow

Connect with other photographers who get it and start creating a business that truly supports your life, not consumes it.

Join here → https://www.skool.com/pet-photographers-collective-3125/about?ref=9c7b56d2963f48a791297a43a29109e1