The sheer volume of digital photographs captured on a modern smartphone can be staggering. For some, this digital archive is a repository of family moments, travel adventures, or culinary creations. For Brandi Saxton, it’s a testament to a unique and deeply personal passion: her rats. Saxton estimates her current phone alone holds over 11,000 photos of her beloved rodents, a number that doesn’t account for years of pre-digital images or lost digital files. This extensive collection is not merely a hobbyist’s indulgence; it stems from a 13-year career as the publisher and editor of "It’s a Rat’s World" (IARW), a monthly magazine dedicated entirely to the world of pet rats.
The genesis of Saxton’s photographic endeavor was intrinsically linked to the creation of IARW. Photography was not an optional extra but a core component of the magazine’s identity, vital for social media presence, accompanying articles, and gracing the coveted cover space. As the magazine evolved, Saxton introduced a creative element: monthly themed cover images and dedicated reader photo submissions, known as "The PapRATzi Page(s)." These themes ranged from the everyday – grooming, sleeping, and eating – to the more imaginative, such as yawning, showcasing rat tails, or depicting rats interacting with their human companions and other pets. The objective was to foster engagement and provide accessible photographic opportunities for the magazine’s readership.
While Saxton readily admits she is not a professional photographer, her dedication and the evolution of her craft are evident in the collection she has amassed. Over the years, her cover photographs, in particular, show a marked improvement, a development she views with considerable pride. This article delves into a selection of these cherished images, offering a glimpse into the creative process and the heartwarming moments captured within the pages of "It’s a Rat’s World."
The Endearing Art of Capturing Sleeping Rats
The inherent charm of rats is amplified when they are at rest. A curled-up, fast-asleep rat embodies a profound sense of peace and preciousness, a sentiment Saxton has often sought to convey through her photography.
One particularly poignant image features Preacher, a rat captured in a state of deep slumber on Saxton’s birthday in 2020, a period marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Isolated with her immediate family, Saxton found solace in observing her rats. Preacher, seemingly sensing the need for a mood lift, offered a moment of pure, unadulterated adorableness. Pictured on his back with legs outstretched, his delicate eyelids fluttered, and his nose twitched, lost in dreams. This candid snapshot, as Saxton recounts, provided a much-needed sense of joy and reassurance amidst the prevailing chaos and uncertainty. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the simple pleasures and unconditional trust that animals can bring into our lives, especially during challenging times.
Another notable photograph showcases Brinley, a young rat adopted alongside his brother, Moffett. Both were known for their peculiar habit of sleeping on their backs, a characteristic Saxton has documented extensively. This particular image, a full-body view of Brinley napping on soft towels, has become a personal favorite, even rotating as a home screen background on her iPhone. Saxton humorously notes the irony of capturing these "wiggle-monsters" asleep: while it’s easy to photograph them in repose, attempting to stage a sleeping rat for a cover shoot invariably results in a wide-awake, uncooperative subject.
The theme of sleeping rats was first featured as the magazine’s monthly theme in May 2012. For this cover, Saxton chose Brockton, a senior rat. To accommodate his age and potential arthritic conditions, a blanket was strategically used to conceal his legs, while his patchy fur was softened by the gentle lighting. The photo shoot took place on Saxton’s bed, a setting that facilitated Brockton’s easy transition into sleep. This image remains one of Saxton’s most treasured photographs of Brockton, encapsulating the quiet dignity of an aging pet. The recurring theme highlights a common photographic challenge: the difficulty in capturing specific poses or actions when the subject is a living creature with its own will and natural rhythms. Often, the most sought-after moments of alertness or energy prove elusive when actively sought for a staged photograph, while peaceful slumber can be captured unexpectedly.
Castiel, a young rat, provided another memorable sleeping image. He found the pink feathers intended for a Valentine’s Day shoot irresistibly comfortable, succumbing to a nap amidst the soft plumage. While this image was not ultimately chosen for the February 2016 cover, which instead featured Castiel’s brothers, Winchester and Crowley, it underscores the spontaneous nature of pet photography. The accompanying video, also posted on Instagram, captures all three brothers enjoying the feather nest, illustrating the playful and sometimes sleepy nature of these animals.
The Whimsical World of Rat Dress-Up
A significant portion of Saxton’s photographic output for "It’s a Rat’s World" involved dressing up her rats in costumes, a creative endeavor that often required considerable ingenuity. This process involved everything from hand-sewing felt creations to repurposing everyday items. The following selection showcases a few of the non-holiday themed dress-up photos, demonstrating the playful spirit behind these unique cover concepts.
The release of the final "Star Wars" film in December 2015 sparked a cultural phenomenon, and Saxton was inspired to dedicate the January 2016 issue of IARW to the beloved franchise. Recognizing the resemblance between hairless rats and the character Yoda, she set about creating a "Star Wars"-themed cover. Sterling, a hairless rat, was adorned in a simple camel-colored cloak, and two Yoda figures from her son’s collection were incorporated into the scene. The backdrop even featured "Star Wars"-themed bedding and a headboard designed by Saxton, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to the theme.
For a winter-themed cover, Saxton ingeniously repurposed a small, rat-sized snowman plushie’s knit hat and scarf. By attaching a thin elastic strap to the hat, she created an instant ensemble. Crowley, Castiel’s brother, modeled this outfit for the January 2018 cover, showcasing his natural modeling talents. Crowley’s aptitude for posing led to his frequent appearance on numerous IARW covers.
Crowley also donned a Scottish ensemble for the October 2017 cover. The inspiration struck during a family trip to Scotland, where a whisky liqueur bottle at Stirling Castle featured a miniature, rat-sized tam o’ shanter made from a family tartan. Saxton adapted the tam with an elastic strap and created a matching kilt and even non-functional bagpipes from flannel fabric with a similar pattern. This resourceful approach to costume design is a hallmark of her work.
For the September 2012 cover, Saxton collaborated with Natasha Matherly, a long-time columnist for IARW, to create an artist’s smock and beret for Wolfgang, who was playfully nicknamed "Pablo Racasso." Saxton herself contributed a miniature rat-themed painting for the setup, showcasing a blend of commissioned work and personal artistic touches. This particular cover highlights the collaborative nature of magazine production and the dedication to themed content.
Festive Moments: Holidays with Rats
The challenge of conceptualizing fresh and engaging holiday-themed covers year after year was a significant undertaking for Saxton. The aim was to consistently deliver unique visual narratives that resonated with readers.
Wolfgang, once again proving his photogenic prowess, was featured on the February 2013 Valentine’s Day cover. Dressed as an angel and nestled among pink feathers, this image remains a personal favorite among Saxton’s entire rat photography collection. A fun fact shared by Saxton is that these same feathers were later used for Castiel’s nap three years after Wolfgang’s photoshoot, demonstrating a continuity and resourcefulness in her prop usage.
For the April 2019 Easter issue, Custer, Preacher’s brother, was transformed into the "Easter Ratty," complete with custom-made bunny ears that had graced several previous covers. The selection of this particular photo was a joint decision with her husband, acknowledging the difficulty in choosing from a wealth of favorite Easter-themed shots.
Sirius proved to be another natural model, perfectly embodying the vision for the October 2014 Halloween cover. Posed within a metal pumpkin adorned with candy corn, Sirius’s image captured the spirit of the holiday. Saxton shared several interesting facts about this photograph: she crafted the candy corn hat, providing a DIY guide in the October 2017 issue; an illustration of this photo from 2015 was later recreated as a significant tattoo by a follower in 2024, forging an unexpected connection between the magazine’s content and its audience; and, perhaps most importantly for Sirius’s well-being, he was not allowed to consume the candy corn props.
The Christmas covers often presented unique creative opportunities. For the December 2018 cover, Saxton eschewed traditional red and green palettes for a softer, pastel aesthetic, reflecting her fondness for the color pink. The concept for this cover revolved around a collection of ornaments, with Preacher positioned inside a large, clear ornament. The resulting image was so captivating that many online viewers questioned if Preacher was indeed a real rat, mistaking him for a plush toy.
The final Christmas cover for IARW in December 2019, before the magazine’s cessation in July 2020, depicted Gatwick amidst a whimsical, sugary, pastel wonderland. This meticulously arranged set, still in storage, featured an array of candy, cookies, and other confectionery props. The magic of this particular setup resulted in an unusually high success rate for usable photos, making the selection of Gatwick, a nervous baby rat, a challenging but ultimately rewarding choice.
The longevity of "It’s a Rat’s World" and the extensive photographic archive it generated speak volumes about Saxton’s dedication to her subject matter. The evolution of her photographic skills, coupled with her creative vision and resourcefulness in costume and set design, resulted in a unique body of work that celebrated the often-underappreciated companionship of pet rats. The images, more than just snapshots, represent a visual chronicle of a passion project that brought joy to both the creator and a dedicated readership. Many of these images are now available on merchandise in Saxton’s Zazzle shop, offering fans a tangible connection to the beloved world of "It’s a Rat’s World."
