Google reviewers rate this Santa Ana photographer five stars based on eighty-seven reviews, with the owner responding to fifty-four percent of comments. Clients primarily document newborn, milestone, and holiday sessions at the home studio, citing the photographer's patience with children, clear communication regarding preparation, and willingness to accommodate specific cultural or family requests. The consistent high satisfaction reflects a professional approach that manages difficult subjects effectively, resulting in well-received final images without notable recurring criticisms in the provided excerpts.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 87 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 87 Google reviews (86 with written comments, 4 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 54% of reviews.
Most recent review: September 22, 2026.
Service: Pet Photographer serving Santa Ana, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Photos
Customer reviews
5.0
★★★★★
87 reviews on Google
5★87
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
IK
I K7 reviews
★★★★★
Cathy is an exceptional photographer. We had our 7-5-3 photos with her, and she really knew how to engage with my three year old and make it interesting throughout the entire photoshoot. Thank you for the wonderful photos, Cathy! We look forward to working with you again in the future!
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a pleasure photographing your family and capturing this special Shichi-Go-San milestone. I was so happy to find what made your adorable daughter happy and smile during the photoshoot, lol! Thank you for trusting me with these special memories. I would love to photograph your family again in the future!
We did a family photoshoot with Cathy Murai at her home studio and it was a 10/10 experience. She made the experience fun & and she went way above & beyond to make us feel comfortable. The end result were fantastic family photos that we will have for the rest of our lives!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Portrait photography
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was such a pleasure having your family in my Irvine studio and capturing these special milestone and memories for you. I’m so happy to hear that you felt comfortable and had fun during your session. That’s always so important to me! Knowing that these family portraits will be something you’ll treasure for years to come truly means so much. Thank you again for trusting me to photograph your beautiful daughter and family!
Cathy is a true professional. We wanted a portrait to celebrate our newest family member, a puppy, together with our child, and I know firsthand how chaotic that combination can be in a studio! She stayed calm and patient throughout, eager to get the perfect shot and never willing to settle for less. The final image came out stunning! Soft, sweet, and full of personality. Can't recommend her enough!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Headshot photography
Response from the owner · a month ago
It was such a joy photographing your daughter with the newest little member of your family. 🐾 I’m glad I got to capture this sweet puppy stage, as I know how quickly they grow and change! Thank you for trusting me to capture such a special moment and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It truly means so much to me!
Cathy recently did our daughter’s first birthday photos, and we are so happy with how everything turned out. She did an amazing job and was so patient, kind, and great with our little one.
She captured such beautiful moments that our family will cherish forever. The photos feel so special, and we are grateful to have these memories from such an important milestone.
If you are looking for a photographer to help capture meaningful moments with your baby or family, I highly recommend reaching out to Cathy.
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting me to capture your daughter’s first birthday milestone! It was such a joy working with your family, and your little one was absolutely precious. I’m so happy to hear that these images feel special to you because preserving these moments and memories for families is truly why I love what I do. Thank you again for allowing me to be a small part of such an important chapter in your family’s story!
Cathy is not only a great photographer who knows how to shoot best photos for babies, but she is also someone who went above and beyond to help my family to have perfect memory together. thank you!
Services: Maternity and newborn
Response from the owner · 5 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to me. I’m so happy I could help create these special memories for your family. Thanks again!
I did a lot of research before hiring Cathy to do my 4 month old’s photoshoot, and I am so happy I went with her. Cathy is such a kind and funny human being who is so artistically talented in her profession. She was patient with my baby and even offered to take breaks just so my baby would continue to be in the best mood. It took a few weeks for the final touches on the photos but it was worth the wait. The final photos looked so amazing - literally blew my mind. I’ve already booked my baby’s 1 year old photoshoot with Cathy - so excited and can’t wait for this experience again!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Response from the owner · 5 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting me after all your research. Your little one was such a joy to photograph!
I’m so happy you love your images. “Blew my mind” truly made my day! I can’t wait to see you again for the 1st birthday session and create more beautiful memories together. It will be here faster than you think!
Cathy has been capturing our family’s most precious moments since 2021, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her dedication and professionalism. From maternity sessions to newborn shoots and first birthdays for both of my children, she has beautifully documented every milestone.
Each photo she delivers is stunning, and they only become more meaningful as my children grow. Looking back at them always brings me so much joy. Truly, once you experience Cathy’s work, it’s hard to imagine working with anyone else 😜
What sets Cathy apart is her incredible attention to detail and organization. She takes the time—before, during, and after each session—to ensure everything turns out perfectly. She’s easy to communicate with, genuinely listens to what you want, and goes above and beyond to make it happen.
Her studio is also spotless and welcoming, making the entire experience comfortable for everyone.
Highly, highly recommend!
Services: Maternity and newborn
Response from the owner · 5 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind words - this truly means so much to me.
It’s been such an honor to capture your family’s milestones over the years and watch your little ones grow. I’m so happy the images continue to bring you joy - that’s always my goal.
I’m grateful for your trust and support, and I look forward to many more moments together! Thanks again!
We did 1yr old/cake smash photos for our little one. Cathy was very easy to work with, super communicative and accommodating. We had a hard time selecting outfits so she even looked for some outfits for us on Amazon. She took a family portrait of us with 7 adults, 1 baby, and 1 dog - amazing! Also we requested Chinese Zhua Zhou (brought our own props) in the photos to honor my culture, she accommodated that. Lastly, she’s very honest about what’s recommended and what’s not based on the baby’s attention span. I really appreciated that as a first time parent. In conclusion, highly recommend!!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · 8 months ago
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was such a joy photographing your little one’s cake smash and capturing your beautiful family, including cute pup! 😊
I especially loved incorporating the Chinese Zhua Zhou to honor your culture. It means so much that you trusted me to document such a special milestone. I truly appreciate your review and hope to see your family again as your little one grows!
Cathy
Cathy is so sweet and wonderful to work with! She took our Santa photos this year and we are so happy with how good they turned out! She took so much time with our family and helped us choose the best photos! Highly recommend her! Thank you Cathy! :)
