The vast digital archives of pet owners often tell a story of unwavering affection, and for Brandi Saxton, that story is told through an astonishing collection of over 11,000 photographs of her pet rats. This immense personal archive, a testament to years of companionship and creative endeavor, forms the backdrop for a deeper exploration into the professional dedication required to produce a specialized publication like "It’s A Rat’s World" (IARW) magazine. Saxton, the founder and former editor of the monthly magazine, utilized photography not merely as a hobby but as a critical component of her work for 13 years, producing content for print and social media. This article delves into the creative process, thematic development, and enduring legacy of IARW’s visually rich content, particularly focusing on the captivating cover images that defined the publication.
The Genesis of a Thematic Approach
The evolution of "It’s A Rat’s World" magazine, from its inception to its eventual conclusion in July 2020, was marked by a consistent commitment to engaging its readership through visually appealing content. A significant aspect of this strategy was the introduction of monthly themes for the magazine’s cover and the popular "PapRATzi Page(s)," a section dedicated to reader-submitted photographs. This innovative approach transformed the magazine from a simple repository of information into an interactive platform that fostered a sense of community among rat enthusiasts.
The thematic choices, as recalled by Saxton, were designed to be accessible to a broad range of owners, encouraging participation and capturing the diverse lives of pet rats. Initial themes focused on fundamental rat behaviors such as grooming, sleeping, and eating, which are relatively easy to photograph. However, the scope of themes expanded to encompass more nuanced aspects of rat life, including yawning, showcasing their distinctive tails, their interactions with human companions and children, their adventures while traveling, and even their experiences outdoors. This thoughtful curation of themes not only provided a consistent creative challenge for Saxton but also offered readers a structured way to engage with their pets through the lens of photography.
Capturing the Essence of Rat Behavior: Sleeping Rats
The inherent charm of rats, regardless of their activity, is a recurring theme in Saxton’s photographic endeavors. However, images of rats in a state of deep slumber, particularly when curled up or blissfully sleeping on their backs, are often described as the epitome of preciousness. Saxton’s extensive collection includes several such candid moments, offering a glimpse into the peaceful repose of her beloved companions.
One poignant example is a photograph of Preacher, taken on Saxton’s birthday during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Isolated at home with her family, Saxton found solace in observing Preacher’s tranquil sleep. The image captures him napping on his back, legs extended, with fluttering eyelids and a twitching nose – clear indicators of a rat’s dreamscape. This moment of uninhibited trust and serenity, witnessed amidst a period of global uncertainty, provided Saxton with a much-needed sense of joy and connection. The photograph serves not just as a visual record but as a poignant reminder of the emotional support animals can offer during challenging times.
Another notable subject in the "Sleeping Rats" series is Brinley, a young rat adopted along with his brother, Moffett. Both were known for their peculiar habit of sleeping on their backs, a characteristic that Saxton frequently highlighted in her writings. The image of Brinley in this unusual sleeping posture has become a personal favorite, even serving as one of her rotating iPhone home screen backgrounds. The anecdote that getting a clear photograph of these energetic "wiggle-monsters" while asleep was often more challenging than anticipated, especially when aiming for a cover shot, underscores the unpredictable nature of animal photography.
The veteran rat, Brockton, a "heart rat" to Saxton, also features prominently in the sleeping rat collection. For the May 2012 issue of IARW, themed "Sleeping Rats," Saxton chose an image of Brockton, then a senior rat, to grace the cover. A blanket was used to discreetly conceal his arthritic legs and patchy fur, allowing the focus to remain on his peaceful slumber. The photograph, taken on Saxton’s bed, is now considered one of her most cherished images of Brockton, embodying the gentle dignity of an aging pet. This particular choice for a cover image highlights Saxton’s ability to balance aesthetic appeal with the tender realities of a pet’s life stages.
Finally, the image of Castiel, a young rat, nestled comfortably among pink feathers, exemplifies the serendipitous nature of capturing compelling photographs. While these feathers were intended for a Valentine’s Day shoot, Castiel’s spontaneous decision to nap within them created an unexpectedly charming scene. Though this image was not ultimately used for the February 2016 cover, which featured Castiel’s brothers, Winchester and Crowley, it remains a delightful candid moment, showcasing the endearing personalities of the rats.
The Art of Rat Dress-Up: Creative Costuming for Publication
A significant portion of IARW’s visual identity was built around the creative and often whimsical concept of dressing up rats for photographic features. Saxton’s commitment to producing unique and engaging content led her to develop a diverse range of costumes, from intricately hand-sewn felt creations to cleverly repurposed everyday items. These efforts transformed her rats into characters, bringing imaginative scenarios to life for the magazine’s covers and pages.
The release of the final "Star Wars" film in December 2015 provided a perfect opportunity for a themed issue. Saxton, a fan of the franchise, decided to dedicate the January 2016 issue to the saga. Her observation that hairless rats bore a resemblance to the iconic character Yoda inspired the cover concept. She crafted a camel-colored cloak for her hairless rat, Sterling, and incorporated Yoda figures from her son’s collection. The dedication to thematic consistency extended even to her son’s bedroom decor, which featured "Star Wars" bedding and a headboard designed by Saxton. This meticulous attention to detail ensured a cohesive and immersive reader experience.
The winter season also inspired creative costuming. Saxton repurposed a miniature snowman plushie, carefully extracting its knit hat and scarf to create a charming ensemble for her rats. Elastic was added to the hat to secure it, transforming it into a wearable accessory. This winter attire was featured on multiple covers, most notably on Crowley, a particularly photogenic rat, for the January 2018 issue. Crowley’s natural modeling talent made him a frequent subject for IARW covers, demonstrating Saxton’s ability to identify and leverage the strengths of her animal subjects.
Crowley’s versatility as a model was further showcased in a Scottish-themed photoshoot for the October 2017 cover. During a trip to Scotland, Saxton acquired a small tam o’ shanter cap from a whisky liqueur bottle at Stirling Castle. Inspired by this find, she created a matching tartan kilt and even fashioned non-functional, rat-sized bagpipes. This detailed and culturally inspired costume highlights Saxton’s dedication to thematic storytelling and her resourcefulness in sourcing and creating props.
The artistic world served as another muse for IARW’s cover themes. For the September 2012 issue, Saxton commissioned a custom artist smock and beret from Natasha Matherly, a regular columnist for the magazine. This ensemble was designed for Wolfgang, a rat whom Saxton affectionately nicknamed "Pablo Racasso." To complete the artistic tableau, Saxton painted a small, Picasso-esque rat-themed artwork, adding a unique touch to the cover.
Celebrating Holidays Through the Eyes of Rats
The festive calendar provided an abundant source of inspiration for IARW’s cover photography. Saxton’s ability to consistently generate fresh and engaging holiday-themed concepts year after year is a testament to her creativity and dedication. These holiday covers not only celebrated the respective occasions but also showcased the endearing personalities of her rat models.
Wolfgang, known for his photogenic qualities, also excelled in holiday-themed shoots. For the February 2013 Valentine’s Day cover, he was photographed amidst a backdrop of pink feathers, a scene that Saxton ranks among her top ten favorite rat photographs. These same feathers would later be used for Castiel’s cozy nap three years later, illustrating the recurring use of beloved props.
Easter celebrations were captured through the lens of Custer, Preacher’s brother, who donned a pair of handmade bunny ears for the April 2019 cover, embodying the "Easter Ratty." The reusable nature of these ear props, which appeared on several covers, speaks to Saxton’s practical approach to costume creation.
Halloween provided an opportunity for more dramatic and imaginative imagery. Sirius, a remarkably cooperative rat, perfectly embodied the Halloween theme for the October 2014 cover. The photograph depicted Sirius seated in a metal pumpkin adorned with candy corn. Saxton’s creative process involved crafting a candy corn hat for Sirius, a DIY tutorial for which was later published in the magazine. The enduring impact of this image is evident in its transformation into a large-scale tattoo by a devoted follower in 2024, forging a lasting connection between the artist, the subject, and the fan.
Christmas covers often featured a sophisticated aesthetic. For the December 2017 cover, Winchester, brother to Crowley and Castiel, was photographed wearing a hat that perfectly complemented a wicker hat prop. Interestingly, the hat was created nine years prior for Saxton’s "heart rat," Delphiniums Blue, for a December 2008 cover. The serendipitous discovery of the wicker hat in 2016 provided an ideal opportunity to revisit and repurpose the original design for a new cover.
Dissatisfied with the traditional red and green palette for Christmas covers, Saxton opted for softer, pastel tones. For the December 2018 cover, Preacher was photographed inside a large glass ornament, surrounded by pink and gold baubles. The resulting image possessed an almost plush-like quality, leading many online viewers to question if Preacher was indeed real. This aesthetic choice reflected Saxton’s preference for the color pink and her desire to bring a unique visual interpretation to the holiday.
The final Christmas cover for IARW in December 2019, before the magazine’s closure in July 2020, depicted Gatwick amidst a pastel-colored wonderland of candy, cookies, and festive props. The elaborate set, meticulously assembled and still stored by Saxton, resulted in an unusually high success rate for usable photographs. The selection of Gatwick, a nervous young rat, for this final cover underscores Saxton’s ability to capture compelling moments even with challenging subjects, adding a poignant conclusion to her extensive photographic journey with "It’s A Rat’s World." These images, along with many others, are available for purchase on Saxton’s Zazzle store, allowing fans to own a piece of this unique photographic legacy.
