Girl takes on the world with her two pet cats in charming photo project

Russian photographer Andy Prokh has been documenting his family for years. From fanciful scenes of make believe and magic to ordinary glimpses of family life in their St. Petersburg home, Prokh's three models — his young daughter and two accommodating pet cats — are seen doing it all.

Prokh’s photo project, commonly known as "Kate & Cat," started when his little girl Katerina was just a baby. The project began gathering steam when Katerina became old enough to sit up (and sit still!) on her own.

Prokh prefers photographing subjects that he knows and loves. He said he feels as though portraits are intimate moments and it's important to show his subjects as they really are, "without any masks."

Photographing his family just felt natural.

Five-year-old Katerina, or Katya as her dad calls her, is 19 years younger than her brother Vyacheslav, so her pet cats are her close companions.

At 7 years of age, the kitty Lilu Blue Royal Lady is the oldest of the three models. Senya, a younger cat, is 1.

There is no model too small! The newest addition to the family, Senya, has shown that she can hang with the big cats.

Prokh said the photo shoots actually do not require as much direction as it may seem.

Lilu must just be one talented kitty ...

"Everything occurs rather organically," Prokh said, referring to the cats' natural posing abilities. Like any good photographer, he must have the patience to wait for the perfect moment.

And when in doubt, it can't hurt to bribe the cats with treats!

Prokh acknowledged that he has taken photographic liberties and added sketches to his backdrops in post-production, but more often than not they are all drawn right onto the wall.

We have a feeling this photo was captured on one of those "hand drawn" days! Katya and Lilu are living the dream.

Katya has free range to doodle and channel her inner artist.

Artistic leanings must run in the family.

The key to a good puppet show is to know your audience.

Prokh said his life has been greatly influenced by the legendary musician John Lennon.

Prokh considers Lennon to be one of the great heroes of rock and roll and draws inspiration from the musician for his photographs, as he did with this "Yellow Submarine"-inspired scene.

Prokh dreamed of being a professional musician like John Lennon, but ultimately turned to photography instead.

He said he isn't sure what motivated him to make the switch, only that "something pushed me and it is higher than understanding." He hasn't put down the camera since.

Prokh continues to play guitar as a hobby and started giving Katya lessons at a young age. Sometimes she performs mini concerts for her biggest fans.

Lilu clearly isn't a fan of grammar lessons.

"Ideas soar in the air!" Prokh told TODAY when asked how he comes up with his more fanciful scenes.

Prokh and Katya like to use ordinary family moments, hobbies and props as inspiration for their photos; many are simply snapshots of their lives.

Czech photographer Jan Saudek is one of Prokh's idols when it comes to photography. He has a multitude of photo books around the house to provide creative motivation.

Concepts come "rather spontaneously, as sketches from life," Prokh said — like this image of the girls playing chess, one of the family's favorite pasttimes.

Like many young girls, Katerina loves to play dress up. Her cats are good sports and have been known to wear costumes themselves.

Prokh said he hopes to continue the project for as long as he and his daughter's imaginations will allow.

See more of Andy Prokh's photography on his website or Facebook page.