By Jay Scott Kanes

LAMMA ISLAND, Hong Kong – Sometimes inspiration from an animal friend, plus a little imagination, can lead to a satisfying and promising career change. That’s what happened to a Lamma Islander named Vicky.

A former TV advertising and promotions specialist, Vicky gives substantial credit to Sam, her 10-year-old tabby cat, for motivating her to launch a new venture as a pet-photographer in Hong Kong.

“I love taking pictures of Sam,” Vicky said. “My refrigerator is covered with photographs of cats.”

Together with André, Vicky’s husband and fellow photographer, she has established The Petographer, an enterprise focused on “fine-art pet photography”.

Vicky, who enjoyed the presence of family cats as a child in Wales, adopted Sam when he was a tiny kitten badly needing a home. “A man approached me holding a box with a kitten in it and said that he had dogs and didn’t know what to do,” she recalls.

“Now Sam’s a big cat,” she proclaims.

Sam’s striking features have graced Vicky’s business card. “He’s been on my computer screen-saver too,” she confessed.

Meanwhile, André likes to befriend animals near the couple’s home on Lamma Island, a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong’s Central business district.

“Animals inspire me too,” he says, fondly recalling the “lovely” and fluffy Puff Daddy, his pet cat when living in Western Canada. “For sure, he was a good friend and an inspiration to me.”

If The Petographer becomes a smashing business success, then Vicky and André must remember to thank Sam the Cat and to raise wine-goblets in tribute to memories of the late fluffy Puff Daddy.

Vicky's business card shows who inspires her.