All right, straightaway, I will tell you I just adopted two cats last weekend... Mango and Kiwi. They are both long haired, both three, both boys, both gorgeous, both super sweet and friendly. They are unrelated to each other. Only one's photo will be posted today.

Mango is very outgoing but has been the shyer of the two but even if he goes under the bed, he doesn't stay hidden. Kiwi acts like he was born here. Both learned their new names almost immediately and can discern one name from the other. Even if the names are a bit fruity, I think they prefer the new ones to their old ones at the pound... Mike and Bobo. Really?

I am very fond of the both of them. Honestly, in all the years I've had cats, I've never had more social cats. Pinch me. I'm waiting for the shoe to drop.

Today I attempted a photo shoot with studio lights. I think it may have been premature. They are great with casual photos, and they aren't even scared of studio lights flashing... but they don't want to sit where I want them to sit.

I set up a backdrop (oddly enough, it's the same image only in reverse as the cover of Marie Kondo's "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" book) and the lights. They are so relaxed around them. Put them on the chest I wanted to photograph them on? Murder. I did manage to get a nice one of Kiwi at the backdrop but he wasn't in the right position for the lights so the rim light I had set up for him bypassed him completely. I put him on a chair and managed to get two more.

That's how it goes with pet photography. I think I'll stick with lifestyle for a while. But I have my eye on the for another shoot. And of course we have to get a formal portrait of Mango.

Here I present you with Kiwi, the magnificent tuxedo cat.

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