Standing Calico is a creative space created by Cyril Chan, an American lawyer based in Seoul and a street photographer in his free time. For his latest project, he photographed street cats in various neighborhoods for one year. He initially began taking photos of street cats in Seoul after losing his beloved cat of 12 years to cancer. As he grieved the loss, he took long meandering walks around the city, and in the Seochon neighborhood known for its maze of alleys and traditional hanok houses, he encountered numerous street cats, beginning with a calico with a talent for standing straight up to receive a treat. Fascinated by their different personalities and their ability to survive, he began bringing along his camera to document the street cats of Seochon and, eventually, the street cats of other neighborhoods in the city of Seoul. He has photographed hundreds of cats, experimenting with different styles and angles and attempting to capture their charm, mystery, and resilience throughout the four seasons. Upon completing the one year project, he found himself with over 100,000 photos, which he is now slowly beginning to review, organize, and edit. Photos will be posted on this website and on Instagram (@standingcalico)!

Photography (gallery under development)

Awards & Recognitions

1839 Awards - 2025 Photographer of the Year Contest

reFocus Awards - 2025 World Photo Annual Contest

Exposure One Awards - 2025 Black & White Photographer of the Year Contest

Tokyo International Foto Awards 2025

PISPA - Paris International Street Photography Awards 2025