Dogs & Cats
Pet photography is one of the most endearing and challenging forms of portraiture, combining technical skill with an understanding of animal behaviour and the profound bond between humans and their companions. This week, we’re exploring the long history, artistic principles, and practical techniques for capturing memorable images of our dogs and cats using smartphone technology.
The Early Years: Photography's First Animal Subjects
The history of pet photography dates back to the earliest days of the medium, when technological limitations made capturing animal subjects particularly challenging. William Henry Fox Talbot, one of photography's pioneers, created what is believed to be among the earliest reproductions of animal imagery in the 1830s using his calotype process. His photographic reproduction of "A Favourite Cat" by artist J.M. Burbank demonstrated the medium's potential for capturing animal subjects, even if initially through artistic reproduction rather than direct photography.
The first known photograph of a living animal dates to 1842, when Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey captured an image of a cow at a market in Rome. This daguerreotype, though featuring livestock rather than a companion animal, established the precedent for photographing living creatures and highlighted the considerable technical challenges involved.
Victorian Era Developments
The 1840s marked a significant period in early pet photography when celebrity author Mary Mitford visited photographer Nicolaas Henneman's studio in 1847. Mitford insisted on including her dog in the session, despite the photographer's initial scepticism about the animal's ability to remain still for the required four-minute exposure time.
The dog sat "perfectly still for four minutes, as if he were dead,” creating one of the earliest documented professional pet portraits and establishing precedents for treating animals as legitimate photographic subjects deserving individual attention and artistic consideration. The dog's expression suggested considerable boredom with the lengthy process.
Another notable photograph of a dog dates to the 1850s—a daguerreotype titled "Poodle with Bow, on Table," featuring a white poodle that remarkably remained still for the three to fifteen minutes required for proper exposure. This early achievement demonstrated both the technical challenges and artistic potential of animal photography, eventually selling for over £5,000 at Sotheby's in 2009.
The Victorian era witnessed a surge in sentimental pet portraiture, reflecting the period's growing emphasis on family life and the home. Pets were increasingly depicted as integral family members, with memorial portraits of deceased animals becoming particularly popular as a means of honouring beloved companions.
The introduction of stereographs in the 1860s provided new creative opportunities for animal photographers, with practitioners like Frank Haes documenting animals at London Zoo using this three-dimensional technique. These images offered viewers immersive experiences that brought them closer to animal subjects, creating a sense of presence and intimacy previously impossible through traditional flat imagery.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw increasing accessibility of photography equipment, making pet portraiture more widespread among middle-class families. Kodak's introduction of roll film and simplified cameras democratised the medium, allowing pet owners to attempt their own animal photography rather than relying exclusively on professional studios. This period laid the foundation for modern amateur pet photography, as families began to document their animals' daily lives rather than just creating formal portraits.
Technological Evolution and Artistic Recognition
By the late nineteenth century, advances in photographic technology enabled faster exposures and more portable equipment, making it considerably easier to capture images of animals in natural environments. The early 1900s brought further improvements, with cameras capable of freezing motion and capturing birds in flight or horses mid-leap.
The professionalisation of pet photography began in earnest during the 1990s, when photographers such as Jim Dratfield, Amanda Jones, and Rachel Hale (née McKenna) established pet photography as a distinct commercial genre. These practitioners moved beyond artistic projects to serve private clients and everyday pet owners, creating the foundation for today's thriving pet photography industry.
Art Theory and Aesthetic Principles
The Human-Animal Bond in Visual Art: Pet photography seeks to capture not only the physical likeness, but also the emotional connection between the subject and the viewer. The psychological impact of animal portraiture lies in its ability to evoke empathy and establish a sense of kinship between humans and animals, creating emotional bridges that transcend species boundaries.
Research has demonstrated that photographs can significantly influence perceptions of animal behaviour and character. This psychological dimension makes pet photography particularly powerful, both as an artistic expression and a means of emotional communication. Images can convey personality traits such as loyalty, playfulness, or gentleness that might not be immediately apparent in person.
Compositional Considerations in Pet Photography: The principles of visual composition apply to pet photography with particular considerations for animal behaviour and anatomy. The rule of thirds remains fundamental, positioning the animal's eyes at the intersection points to create balanced and engaging compositions. However, centred compositions can be equally effective when emphasising symmetry or creating a sense of calm contemplation.
Leading lines play a crucial role in directing viewer attention to the animal subject, whether through natural elements such as tree branches or architectural features like railings and pathways. Framing techniques using foliage or environmental elements can create intimate, natural compositions that contextualise the pet within its surroundings.
Colour Theory in Pet Photography: Understanding colour relationships enhances the visual impact of pet portraits. Complementary colours—those opposite on the colour wheel—create vibrant contrasts that make subjects appear more prominent. For instance, pairing warm fur tones with cool blue backgrounds can create striking visual tension whilst maintaining harmony.
Monochromatic schemes utilising various tints, tones, and shades of a single hue can produce serene, sophisticated images that emphasise texture and form over colour contrast. This approach proves remarkably effective when working with animals possessing subtle coat variations or when seeking to create timeless, elegant portraits.
Animal Psychology in Photography
Behavioural Fundamentals: Successful pet photography requires understanding basic animal psychology and communication patterns. Dogs, having evolved alongside humans for thousands of years, demonstrate sophisticated social awareness and respond to human body language and vocal cues. They actively seek eye contact with humans and interpret facial expressions and gestures as meaningful communication.
Cats, whilst equally intelligent, operate according to different psychological principles and typically require more patient, indirect approaches. Understanding these species-specific differences enables photographers to adapt their techniques accordingly, creating comfortable environments that encourage natural behaviour rather than stressed compliance.
Recognising Stress Indicators: Professional pet photographers must recognise subtle signs of animal stress or discomfort to ensure ethical practice and optimal results. Common stress indicators in dogs include lifted front paws, excessive panting unrelated to temperature, lip licking or tongue flicking, and avoiding eye contact. These behaviours signal the need to pause the session and allow the animal to become more comfortable with the environment.
The principle of allowing animals to approach rather than forcing interaction proves fundamental to creating successful sessions. Ignoring the animal initially, while engaging with the owner, often stimulates curiosity and investigative behaviour, leading to more natural expressions and poses.
Preparation and Environment Management: Proper preparation improves the chances of a successful shoot. Exercising energetic animals before photography helps reduce hyperactivity and creates more manageable subjects. A tired animal is generally more cooperative and less likely to exhibit disruptive behaviours during photography.
Controlling the photographic environment extends beyond lighting and composition to include managing both animal and human participants. Calm animals produce better images, and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere benefits both subjects and their owners, enabling photographers to work more effectively.
Technical Aspects of Smartphone Pet Photography
Understanding Smartphone Camera Capabilities: Phones offer sophisticated photographic capabilities in a small package, making them particularly well-suited for capturing images of pets. Their compact size and unobtrusive nature reduce anxiety in nervous animals compared to larger camera equipment. Multiple lens options—wide-angle, standard, and telephoto—provide creative flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
Portrait mode, available on most modern smartphones, creates a blurred background that effectively isolates subjects from distracting environments. This computational photography technique mimics the shallow depth of field traditionally achieved with traditional lenses. This can be useful, but it has a significant weakness: the AI edge detection often struggles with fur, resulting in false and unflattering smoothing of edges that should be fluffy.
Mastering Light and Exposure: Natural light remains the cornerstone of compelling pet photography, providing soft, flattering illumination that animals respond to positively. Window light offers particularly attractive qualities, creating the diffused illumination that professional photographers replicate using expensive studio equipment. The key lies in utilising indirect natural light to avoid harsh shadows whilst maintaining sufficient brightness for sharp images.
Smartphone cameras often struggle with high-contrast lighting situations, making it essential to avoid harsh midday sun, which creates unflattering shadows and overexposed highlights. Overcast conditions or open shade provide more even illumination that smartphones can handle effectively, whilst creating more comfortable conditions for animal subjects.
Manual exposure control, available by tapping the screen and adjusting the exposure slider, enables photographers to optimise lighting for specific subjects. This technique proves particularly valuable when photographing dark-coloured animals that automatic metering systems might otherwise underexpose.
Focus and Composition Techniques: Achieving sharp focus on animal eyes remains paramount in pet photography, as the eyes serve as the primary point of connection between the subject and the viewer. Smartphone users can set focus by tapping the screen directly on the animal's face, ensuring critical sharpness where it matters most.
Getting down to the animal's eye level creates more engaging perspectives and eliminates unflattering downward angles that diminish the subject's presence. This approach requires physical flexibility from photographers but produces far more compelling results.
Burst mode functionality proves invaluable when photographing active animals, capturing multiple frames in quick succession to increase the likelihood of obtaining sharp images with optimal expressions. This technique compensates for the unpredictable nature of animal subjects whilst ensuring technical success.
Advanced Smartphone Techniques: The telephoto capabilities on modern smartphones enable photographers to maintain distance from shy or nervous animals while still achieving intimate portraits. This approach reduces stress on sensitive subjects whilst avoiding the distortion that can occur with extremely close photography.
Portrait mode requires careful attention to edge detection, particularly around fur and whiskers, where the computational algorithms may struggle. Photographers should scrutinise images and be prepared to capture additional frames if the background separation appears unnatural or unappealing.
Editing applications such as Snapseed, VSCO, Lightroom Mobile, and TouchRetouch can significantly enhance smartphone images through colour correction, selective adjustments, and minor retouching. These tools enable smartphone photographers to achieve high-quality results while maintaining efficient workflows.
Species-Specific Considerations
Photographing Dogs: Dogs generally offer the most cooperative photographic subjects due to their social nature and desire to please. Their responsiveness to verbal commands and treat rewards makes them suitable for both posed portraits and action photography. Natural settings often work particularly well for dogs, as outdoor environments provide space for movement while offering attractive backgrounds.
Breed-specific characteristics influence photographic approaches, with working breeds often requiring more exercise before sessions, whilst toy breeds may need encouragement to display confidence. Understanding these breed tendencies enables photographers to tailor their techniques accordingly. Different breeds require tailored techniques:
Brachycephalic Breeds: Dogs with flat faces may require specific angles to avoid unflattering perspectives. Ensure adequate ventilation during sessions.
Long-Haired Breeds: Pay attention to coat condition and grooming timing. Consider wind effects on fur appearance.
Active Breeds: Plan for high-energy sessions with appropriate safety measures. Use longer lenses to maintain safe distances during action shots.
Photographing Cats: Feline photography requires different strategies, as cats typically respond poorly to direction and prefer to approach photography on their own terms. Telephoto smartphone lenses enable photographers to maintain respectful distances whilst still capturing intimate portraits. Patience becomes particularly important when working with cats, as forcing interaction typically results in stress and poor images.
Cats often photograph best when engaged in natural behaviours rather than attempting formal poses. Capturing them during grooming, playing, or resting often produces more authentic and appealing results than structured portrait sessions.
Famous Photographers and Iconic Images
William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877)
Photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot made significant contributions to early animal imagery through his invention of the negative-positive photo process in 1833. Talbot's work included creating a calotype of a detailed cat drawing, which became one of the earliest examples of feline representation in photography.
His process was later used to capture what is believed to be one of the first live animal portraits when celebrity author Mary Mitford brought her dog to photographer Nicolaas Henneman's studio in 1847. The dog's ability to sit perfectly still during the lengthy exposure time was considered remarkable for the era.
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford holds what are believed to be some of the earliest pet portraits captured on camera, including Talbot's cat print from the 1830s and the 1847 photograph of Mitford's dog. These images explored how different photographic processes could permanently capture pictures of beloved pets, establishing foundational techniques that would influence generations of animal photographers to come.
Harry Pointer (1822-1889)
Brighton photographer Harry Pointer became likely the first to transform pet photography into a full-blown profession. There is no evidence that he was a wizard. During the 1870s, Pointer created his famous "Brighton Cats" series, which featured humorous and staged photographs of cats in human-like scenarios. His creative approach included positioning cats riding tricycles, roller-skating, or pretending to take pictures, bringing humour and personality to his work.
By 1872, Pointer had created over one hundred different captioned images of cats, and by 1884, he had published approximately two hundred pictures in his Brighton Cats series. Pointer's innovation lay in his realisation that he could add silly written phrases to his prints, essentially creating the original "LOLcats" more than a century before internet memes. His work demonstrated the potential for photographing pets in more expressive and imaginative ways, moving beyond simple documentation to creative interpretation.
Frank Haes and Zoo Photography
Photographer Frank Haes made essential contributions to animal photography through his work with stereographs in the 1860s. This process involved overlaying two nearly identical images taken with a double-lens camera, creating 3D masterpieces when viewed through a stereoscope. Haes used this technique to document animals at the London Zoo, including the first photographs of a living elephant, the now-extinct quagga, and the thylacine.
In the summer of 1864, Haes was commissioned by the Zoological Society of London to take a series of 55 photographs of animals at the London Zoo. His zoo photographs were sold commercially as stereo views, designed for home viewing through handheld stereoscopes, making them a popular form of entertainment in the Victorian era. The stereographic process proved particularly effective for animal subjects, as it captured depth and dimension that enhanced the viewing experience.
Walter Chandoha (1920-2019)
Walter Chandoha earned recognition as perhaps the most significant cat photographer in history, with Hyperallergic calling him "the one cat photographer to rule them all". His career began in 1949 when he encountered a stray kitten shivering in the snow while walking home from New York University classes. Bundling the kitten into his coat, he brought it home and named it Loco, beginning a seven-decade career that would elevate feline portraiture to an art form.
Chandoha's archive grew to more than 225,000 photographs, including approximately 90,000 pictures of cats. His images combined genuine affection for his subjects with flawless technique, featuring trademark glamorous lighting that made each cat's fur appear in sharp relief. This distinctive visual vocabulary of animal portraiture influenced generations of photographers and even inspired Andy Warhol, who took cues from Chandoha's charming portraits for his illustrated cat book.
His photographs appeared on more than 300 magazine covers and in thousands of advertisements, gracing everything from greeting cards to jigsaw puzzles and cat food packaging. Chandoha authored at least 34 books during his career, including instructional volumes for photographers and collections of his finest work. His preferred method involved photographing cats at their eye level, often incorporating his six children into images to portray interactions between young people and cats.
Long before the internet and social media cat culture, Chandoha was captivating the public with his fuzzy subjects. His work defined the genre in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, establishing visual standards that continue to influence contemporary pet photography. The photographer passed away in January 2019 at age 98, having completed one final career retrospective titled "Cats. Photographs 1942–2018".
Elliott Erwitt (1928-2023)
Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt developed an international reputation for his dog photography, which emerged organically from his broader photographic practice. While reviewing his inventory for a retrospective exhibition, Erwitt was surprised by the preponderance of dogs appearing on his contact sheets, realising his sympathy for the creatures was deeper than he had initially imagined.
Erwitt's approach to dog photography reflected his philosophy that "it's not the subject, it's how you treat the subject". His images typically featured dogs as primary subjects rather than incidental elements, with careful attention to composition and the relationship between canines and their environment. His famous bulldog photograph, captured on a New York City stoop, exemplifies his ability to capture moments that reflect the relationship between dogs and their owners.
From 1974 to 2008, Erwitt published five books focused on dogs, establishing himself as a significant figure in canine photography. His work demonstrated an innate sense of composition, skill, and humour, often revealing allegorical connections between dogs and the human condition. Erwitt's photographs frequently featured dogs in exotic settings or well-composed urban environments, with some images transcending their evident charm to offer deeper commentary on human nature.
His 70-year career with dogs began with his first dog picture in 1946, though he noted that dogs had appeared in his work consistently throughout his practice. Erwitt appreciated dogs as photographic subjects because "they don't object to being photographed and they also don't ask for prints". His approach emphasised patience and observation, waiting for moments that revealed the essential character of his subjects.
William Wegman (1943-)
William Wegman transformed pet photography through his large-format Polaroid photographs of Weimaraners, beginning with his first dog, Man Ray, in the 1970s. Wegman's 24×20-inch Polaroid prints became world famous, featuring his dogs in carefully staged scenarios that often referenced art history and human portraiture. His approach involved treating his canine subjects as collaborative partners, with each dog bringing their own temperament and agency to the photographic process.
Wegman's work transcended simple animal photography by incorporating formal artistic elements, including line, composition, colour, and form. His images often featured dogs alongside other animals or in human-like poses, such as "Bat Bird" and "Pet," while maintaining a focus on the building blocks of visual art. The photographer described his relationship with his models as collaborative, acknowledging that each Weimaraner possessed distinct personality traits that influenced the final images.
His photographs frequently referenced art historical movements and themes, with multiple sections of dog bodies becoming abstract landscapes or minimalist sculptures. Notable works include "Rounded," reminiscent of Edward Weston's form studies, and "Puppet," in which a dog and a human model merge into a new being. While often humorous, Wegman's images contain underlying poignancy, with his subjects' eyes often displaying a melancholy quality that suggests deeper emotional content.
Wegman continues to work with Weimaraners, currently photographing with his dog Flo while maintaining studios in New York and Maine. His influence on contemporary pet photography extends beyond technique to demonstrate how animal subjects can address serious artistic and conceptual questions.
Seth Casteel (1970s-)
Seth Casteel revolutionised pet photography through his underwater dog portraits, beginning when he photographed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Buster diving repeatedly into a backyard pool in 2010. Intrigued by what the dog might look like underwater, Casteel developed a unique speciality that captures dogs playing with balls and toys beneath the water's surface.
Casteel's underwater work reveals dogs' expressions in ways previously unseen, showing their goofy underwater faces as they chase toys. His approach requires freediving rather than scuba equipment to maintain the mobility necessary for capturing the images. The unpredictable nature of working underwater with dogs creates spontaneous moments that illustrate the animals' wild instincts and emotional range.
His book "Underwater Dogs" became internationally successful, featuring hilarious photos of dogs playing in water that made for lighthearted images appealing to dog lovers worldwide. Casteel's work has expanded beyond pools to include both saltwater and freshwater environments, although most of his portfolio focuses on controlled pool settings. His technique captures water droplets suspended in air and dogs' features scrunched in concentration, creating dynamic images that freeze split-second moments. He has also produced work on cats, featured in his book “Pounce”.
The photographer's background in animal care provides understanding of canine behaviour that enhances his ability to work safely and effectively with dogs underwater. His innovative approach has inspired other photographers to explore unconventional environments for pet photography while maintaining focus on animal welfare and safety.
Carli Davidson (1980s-)
Portland-based photographer Carli Davidson gained international recognition for her "Shake" series, which captures dogs mid-shake using high-speed photography. The project originated from observing her 8-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux, Norbert, who was described as an "epic shaker". Davidson's fascination with cleaning Norbert's drool from her walls led to experimentation with high-speed lighting to capture the shaking motion.
Davidson's approach involves photographing over 120 dogs for her series, though not every dog cooperates with shaking on command. Her technique requires patience and understanding of animal behaviour, with successful "shakes" resulting from "non-science, a lot of trying things and waiting". The resulting images show dogs with scrunched features and water droplets suspended in air, creating humorous and endearing portraits.
Her background includes seven years working as an animal care technician and conservation educator at the Oregon Zoo, providing a deep understanding of animal behaviour that enhances her photography. Davidson applies this knowledge to create low-stress environments for her animal subjects, factoring in 30-45 minutes per animal session for treats, affection, and relationship building.
The "Shake" series expanded into multiple books, including "SHAKE," "SHAKE Puppies," and "SHAKE Cats," establishing Davidson as a New York Times bestselling author. Her work demonstrates that successful animal photography requires a genuine understanding of animal psychology and behaviour rather than simply technical photographic skill. Davidson's current project, "Invincible", focuses on disabled pets and their owners, continuing her exploration of human-animal relationships.
Elke Vogelsang (1972-)
German photographer Elke Vogelsang specialises in editorial and commercial pet portraiture, becoming famous for capturing unusual expressions and emotions in her subjects. Born in Hildesheim, Germany, Vogelsang developed her photographic skills after acquiring her first dog, Noodles, feeling compelled to improve her abilities to document the dog's beauty and character properly.
Vogelsang's distinctive style focuses on shallow depth of field and muted colour tones, seeking to capture emotion and character within her images. Her approach emphasises the unpretentious and forgiving nature of dogs as subjects, noting that they provide constant sources of joy and laughter while remaining genuine photographic partners. Her portfolio demonstrates mastery of capturing dogs in various emotional states, from playful to contemplative.
Her photography career developed during a personal crisis when her husband suffered a brain haemorrhage on Christmas Day 2009. While he recovered in hospital, Vogelsang began taking daily photographs as a visual diary, often featuring her dogs as comforting subjects. This two-year project helped her process stress while discovering photography as a creative outlet.
Vogelsang has photographed over 100 dog breeds, maintaining a database of more than 1,400 images. Her work has appeared in major publications including National Geographic, The Daily Telegraph, and The Huffington Post, while gracing covers of more than a dozen periodicals. Her commercial clients include Pedigree, Fujifilm, and Medion, demonstrating the commercial viability of her artistic approach. In 2015, she published the coffee-table book "Nice Nosing You," showcasing her distinctive style.
Tim Flach (1958-)
British photographer Tim Flach has established himself as one of the world's foremost animal photographers, though his work encompasses broader themes beyond traditional pet photography. His approach involves removing animals from their natural environments and photographing them against minimal studio settings, creating portrait-like appearances typically associated with human subjects. This technique examines the relationships between humans and animals, addressing issues of ethics, politics, culture, and science.
Flach's major bodies of work include "Equus" (2008), focusing on horses; "Dogs Gods" (2010), examining canines; "More Than Human" (2012), exploring various species; "Endangered" (2017), documenting threatened species; and "Birds" (2021). His "Dogs Gods" series specifically addresses the role of dogs in human culture and our anthropocentric relationships with canine companions.
His studio work employs techniques more commonly used in human portraiture, utilising controlled lighting and careful composition to create formal animal portraits. Flach works with a large support team to ensure animal welfare while achieving precise artistic results. His photographs often map traditionally human styles of portraiture onto animal subjects, creating images that compel viewers to reconsider their relationships with other species.
Flach's influence extends beyond commercial success to academic research, contributing to studies that show anthropomorphic animal portraits promote empathy. His work has been exhibited at prominent galleries and museums worldwide, with images held in permanent collections including the V&A Museum and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Based in London, Flach continues to develop projects that utilise animal photography to convey urgent ecological messages.
Sophie Gamand (1977-)
French-born photographer Sophie Gamand has established herself as a leading advocate for shelter dogs through her compassionate portraiture. Moving to New York City in 2010, Gamand realised the scale of animal suffering in shelters and decided to use her camera as a tool for change. Her work focuses on creating beautiful portraits of shelter animals to improve their adoption prospects while raising funds for animal rescue organisations.
Gamand's most famous series, "Pit Bull Flower Power," features pit bulls wearing floral crowns, challenging the negative stereotypes associated with the breed. Her approach involves observing the entanglement between dogs and humans through an ecofeminist lens, examining what these relationships reveal about both species. Her photography serves multiple purposes: improving adoption rates, raising funds for shelters, and shifting public perception of misunderstood breeds.
Her artistic practice extends beyond photography to encompass hand-stitched embroidery, new media, sculpture, and installations. Gamand describes herself as an interspecies, multidisciplinary artist whose work lives at the intersection of art, science, and spirituality. She views dogs as mirrors and spiritual bridges, witnesses and guides who teach humans how to live in a damaged world.
Gamand's influence extends through her books "Wet Dog" and "Pit Bull Flower Power," while her work has been featured in National Geographic, Oprah Magazine, and Slate. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally, and she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for animal nonprofits. Her mission involves giving voice to voiceless animals while capturing their endless spirit in single photographs.
Anne Geier
Austrian photographer Anne Geier created the "Adventure Dogs" series, which documents the changing role of dogs as companions for adventure rather than working animals. Her project reflects the evolution of dogs from utility animals to family members and adventure buddies, exploring what outdoor experiences would be without canine companions.
Geier's approach involves taking her dogs, Finn and Yuri, to various outdoor locations throughout Europe, including Italy's Dolomites. Her images feature dogs in natural mountain and lake settings, sometimes using props like boats or backpacks to create narrative elements. The photographer emphasises the joy and pride dogs display when mastering new challenges, capturing their emotional responses to adventure activities.
Her work extends beyond simple adventure documentation to explore the deep connection between dogs and their human companions. Geier's favourite image shows the special bond between her two dogs, Finn and Yuri, demonstrating how her relationships with her subjects enhance the emotional content of her photography. Her locations include spectacular natural settings such as the Lake of Sorapis at 2,311 metres above sea level, providing dramatic backdrops that emphasise the majesty of both landscape and animal subjects.
The Adventure Dogs series celebrates the contemporary relationship between humans and dogs in outdoor recreation, showing how dogs have become integral partners in hiking, camping, and other adventure activities. Geier's work demonstrates the photographer's deep understanding of both dog behaviour and outdoor environments.
Kaylee Greer (Dog Breath Photography)
Kaylee Greer has achieved international recognition as one of the world's most sought-after "dogtographers," known for her vibrant colours and emphasis on canine comedy and character. Her unique photographic style draws inspiration directly from the joy, whimsy, and happiness that characterise dogs. Greer's work regularly appears in books, magazines, products, packaging, calendar lines, greeting cards, and advertising campaigns throughout the commercial pet industry.
Her approach involves using flash photography to accentuate dogs' colours and increase brightness, complemented by distinctive saturation editing in the backgrounds. In 2018, National Geographic Wild featured Greer in a three-part television series called "Pupparazzi," which chronicles her adventures photographing shelter dogs across the United States. This exposure helped establish her reputation as a creative leader in the field of animal photography.
Greer founded the Dog Breath Foundation, a non-profit organisation that uses photography to give a voice to homeless and abandoned dogs. Her mission extends beyond commercial success to creating real impact for shelter animals through improved photography that increases adoption rates. She has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for animal nonprofits while pursuing her artistic vision. In 2020, Greer published "Dogtography: A Knock-Your-Socks-Off Guide to Capturing the Best Dog Photos on Earth," which quickly became the premier text for dog photography.
Amanda Jones
Amanda Jones operates as a creative director specialising exclusively in dog photography for private and commercial clients across the United States. Her style emphasises simplicity and elegance, highlighting each subject's expressive features regardless of size, from 200-pound Bull Mastiffs to 2-pound Chihuahuas. Based in North Adams, Massachusetts, Jones runs her studio with her husband and business partner, Chris.
For twenty years, Jones has assembled teams in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles to create packaging, print advertising, and branding campaigns for major pet brands including Pedigree, GoodLife Recipe, Eukanuba, Hills Science Diet, Safeway, Wegman's, and PetPlan Pet Insurance. Jones has published six books of photography, including "Dog Years" and "Unleashed" with Chronicle Books. Three years ago, she launched The Dog Studio, a secondary company creating stationery and speciality gift items featuring her imagery.
Her connection to her subjects includes three dogs of her own: Benny (a Dachshund), Ladybug, and Dobby (both Chiweenies), who accompany her to work daily. This personal involvement with dogs enhances her understanding of canine behaviour and contributes to the authenticity of her professional work.
Traer Scott
Award-winning photographer Traer Scott has established herself as both a fine art and commercial photographer with fourteen published books, including "Shelter Dogs," "Finding Home," and "Radiant: Farm Animals Up Close and Personal". Her work is exhibited internationally and regularly featured in major publications including National Geographic, Life, Vogue, and the New York Times Lens Blog.
Scott's series "Natural History" has been the subject of three museum exhibitions: University of Maine Museum of Art (2015), Griffin Museum of Photography (2018), and American Museum of the Americas (2019). Her work has also appeared in leading outdoor exhibitions, "The Fence" and "Photoville," demonstrating the crossover appeal of animal photography in fine art contexts.
As a two-time recipient of Rhode Island State Council for the Arts grants and winner of the Helen Woodward Humane Award for animal welfare activism, Scott combines artistic achievement with advocacy. Her approach strikes a balance between commercial viability and social consciousness, utilising photography to promote animal welfare causes.
Scott's extensive exhibition history and critical recognition demonstrate how pet and animal photography can achieve fine art status while maintaining commercial relevance. Her work demonstrates the potential for animal photographers to make meaningful contributions to both artistic and social conversations.
Rachel Hale
New Zealand photographer Rachel Hale has built an international brand synonymous with "the world's most lovable animals". Beginning approximately 25 years ago, Hale combined her passion for photography with her love of animals to create a stunning portfolio that captures the unique dispositions and emotions of individual animals. Her work quickly gained international attention, establishing her as a global leader in animal imagery.
The Rachel Hale brand operates a worldwide licensing program encompassing home textiles, travel gear, school supplies, apparel, giftware, home decor, and stationery. Her images are thoughtfully created to be engaging, entertaining, and heartwarming, with portfolios featuring a wide range of breeds, styles, and design elements. Every image promises to engage, delight, and inspire animal lovers around the world.
Hale's approach emphasises capturing the essence and personality of animals through her lens. Her team continuously delivers on the promise that every Rachel Hale image and product will delight, engage, and inspire. The brand's success demonstrates how distinctive animal photography can evolve into a thriving commercial enterprise while maintaining artistic integrity.
Her international acclaim as an animal photographer has made her brand enduring, with continued global recognition and commercial success spanning over two decades. Hale's work shows how pet photography can transcend simple documentation to become a recognisable artistic and commercial brand.
Legacy and Contemporary Impact
The evolution of pet photography, from Victorian curiosity to a contemporary art form, reflects broader changes in human-animal relationships and advancements in photographic technology. Early pioneers, such as Harry Pointer and Walter Chandoha, established fundamental approaches that continue to influence modern practitioners. Their emphasis on capturing personality and emotion, rather than simply documenting, laid the groundwork for contemporary artists who push boundaries while maintaining a focus on animal welfare and authentic representation.
Modern practitioners such as Tim Flach, Sophie Gamand, and Carli Davidson demonstrate how pet photography can address serious artistic, social, and conservation themes while maintaining commercial viability. Their work shows how understanding animal behaviour, combined with technical expertise and genuine affection for subjects, creates images that transcend simple documentation to become meaningful artistic statements.
The field continues evolving through practitioners who balance artistic vision with animal advocacy, commercial success with social consciousness, and technical innovation with respect for their subjects. These photographers have elevated pet photography from a niche speciality into a recognised art form that contributes meaningfully to contemporary visual culture while celebrating the enduring bond between humans and their animal companions.
Give It a Try!
Pet photography combines technical skill, artistic vision, and genuine understanding of animal behaviour to create images that celebrate the profound bond between humans and their companions. From its origins in Victorian daguerreotypes to today's smartphones, the medium continues evolving while maintaining its core mission to preserve memories of beloved animal friends.
Understand your subjects, master your tools, and approach each session with both technical competence and genuine affection for the animals you photograph. The resulting images become treasured family documents that capture not merely physical likeness but the essence of relationships that enrich our lives immeasurably.
Resources
Here’s a great ‘top tips’ video, from Emily Abrahams of Inspawration Photography: “If you want to level up your pet photos, start taking more artistic, meaningful and impactful photos, these five tips are my Go-to advice for anyone with a phone OR a camera! We all want to have thousands of photos of our pets.... but if you want more than a camera roll full of them sleeping in various places across your lounge (no shame, my camera roll looks like that too), then this is the video for you.”
This is a lovely video from Preston dog photographer Cat, of CatsDog Photography: “Take a look behind the scenes and find out what a live dog photography photo session looks like. In this video, I explain my thought process as the shots develop and we explore Haigh Hall with a 4-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, Stitch. Spoiler alert: he is irresistibly cute!”
Here’s a video from Andrew Lanxon with some great ideas for cat photography you can try at home: “In this week's video tutorial I show how easy it is to use flash lighting to take fun, creative portraits of your pet at home. I show how I use a paper backdrop, how I pose my cat and get him into the positions I want, along with how I use my lighting and my camera's aperture and shutter speed settings to take great-looking images. I've genuinely really enjoyed taking these images and they're easily some of my favorite photos of my cat that I've ever taken. They're so easy to do but the results are amazing. If you're struggling to stay creative in the winter months but you've got a pet wandering around, it's time to put them to work!”
Finally, the one and only Alan Schaller, who is chasing street cats around Muscat with his Leica: “I've been photographing cats for years and I love them as subjects despite them being very tricky to work with! On this adventure in Oman, you will learn some of the techniques and concepts that I use to get the shots of our feline friends. Enjoy! A huge thank you to Omar Al-Zidjali (Instagram - @omaralzidjali) for showing me around!”
This week’s assignments…
For this week’s daily photos, your brief is to capture inspiring images of your cats and dogs. Or other people’s cats and dogs. Experiment with your settings and poses, try capturing action shots with burst mode on your phone, or explore using telephoto and portrait modes to blur the background. Look for props you can use to frame your pet or get their attention.
So let’s see some excellent canine and feline photographs that stand out from the crowd!
