Men & Cats is an endearing photo series by David Williams that aims to combat the stereotype that "real men don't like cats," while also providing opposition to the idea of the 'crazy cat lady.' The charming series offers a window into this world of companionship.
The series features portraits of guys with their feline companions photographed in their homes, revealing intimate moments between pet and owner. In this way, the Men & Cats series is a playful jab at unfair, rigid gender roles that require a lack of emotion from men and suggests the nurturing nature is a feminine quality.
Brooklyn-based photographer David Williams started the project in 2009, making it well-timed for current conversations around masculinity and showing weakness.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Breaking Gender Norms for Pet Ownership
- Opportunity to market pet ownership as a bonding experience for all genders.
- Humanizing Pets Through Photography
- Opportunity for photographers to create connections between pets and their owners and showcase them in intimate settings.
- Promoting Acceptance of Unconventional Pet Ownerships
- Opportunity for pet-related industries to cater to unconventional pet owners and challenge unfair stereotyping.
Sectors Adopting This
- Pet Care Industry
- Opportunity for the pet care industry to encourage pet ownership as a way to bond with others.
- Photography Industry
- Opportunity for photographers to showcase pets as an important part of people's lives.
- Marketing and Advertising Industry
- Opportunity to integrate unconventional pet ownership into campaigns and challenge traditional gender roles.
