Portraits With Pets

Dog Photo Portraits – From Fairy to Forest Monster: Meet Dotty

A Rocky Start with a Happy Twist

Dog photo portraits are at their best when they reveal the true spirit of a dog – and Dotty has plenty of that. This shepherd mix, affectionately known as Doodles, The Melt, or Wiggle, was rescued in Cyprus as a newborn pup. She was found alongside her mother, who was barely more than a pup herself. Thankfully, both were taken into foster care together.

Dotty’s mum was adopted not long after, but Dotty’s journey took a tougher turn. She was moved into a paid boarding kennel through a dog charity, and sadly, the change left her feeling low.

“She just seemed so down,” recalls Helena, Dotty’s human mum. “She’d lost her spark.”

That’s when Helena and her family stepped in as fosterers. What started as a temporary helping hand quickly turned into a permanent home.

“We became the failed fosterers!” Helena laughs. “And we couldn’t be happier – even if she does enjoy chewing the straps off my husband’s work dungarees or nibbling on his trainers.”

Finding Her Confidence on the Move

Dotty is still finding her paws in the canicross world. On solo runs, she’s delicate and fairy-like, but when paired with one of her packmates, she comes alive. Running with the Forest Monsters pack has given her a new lease of life and growing confidence.

“She’s still figuring it all out,” says Helena. “But you can see how much more at ease she is when she’s part of the group.”

This growing spirit really came through during her dog photo portraits session. It’s a beautiful reminder of how a dog’s environment shapes their expression, especially when captured by experienced pet photographers.

Pet Photography – Capturing Dotty’s Gentle Soul

As a pet photographer, it’s always special to work with dogs like Dotty – quiet souls with layers of character. She has a softness to her face, a gentleness in her posture, and a regal kind of elegance that seemed to grow as the session progressed.

Her expressive eyes and gentle stance gave some of the photos a timeless, painterly feel. One of Helena’s relatives said it best:
“It looks like she’s in a 19th-century oil painting.”

That’s the magic of pet photography – not just snapping a cute picture, but revealing the personality behind the pose. These are the moments that make portraits with pets truly memorable.

Book Your Dog Photo Portrait Session

Every dog has a story to tell – whether they’re shy and soulful like Dotty or full of boundless energy. If you’d love to preserve their character in a lasting, visual way, get in touch to book your own dog photo portraits session today.