A Dog Photography Adventure in York Pt. 1
York is a city rich in history, where winding cobbled streets, grand landmarks, and quiet hidden corners create the perfect backdrop for dog portraits.
On the first day of my two-day dog photography portrait sessions in January, I had the chance to photograph four incredible dog models, each with their own personality, quirks, and charm, against this breathtaking urban setting. Here are some accounts of the first three of my sessions, the preparation behind them and what I produced with the images afterwards!
If you’ve ever wondered whether your own dog would suit an urban photoshoot, read on. You might be surprised at just how beautifully cityscapes can showcase your dog’s unique character and complement their look.
And guess what all of these dogs have in common? All of them were photographed safely on lead! Watch the quick animation above to see what a little retouching magic spell can achieve. Abracadabra, am I right?
Virtual Scouting: Google Maps & Street View
Before arriving in York, I did what I always do when planning a shoot in a new location: I turned to Google Maps and Street View (after getting some lovely recommendations from locals - thank you, Facebook!). This gave me a broad overview of potential backdrops, allowed me to check for interesting textures and leading lines, and helped me plan routes between locations to maximise shooting time.
I looked at key areas, including:
The Shambles – One of York’s most famous streets, but usually too crowded for a peaceful shoot. However, early mornings can work.
York Minster & Surrounding Streets – I wanted to find angles that showcased the grandeur of the Minster while also providing quieter corners for more intimate portraits.
Museum Gardens & The Ruins – A versatile location with everything from open green spaces to historic stonework and archways.
Google Maps is brilliant for initial planning, but it only tells part of the story. Light, foot traffic, and unexpected obstacles can all change how a location works in real life.
On-Foot Scouting: Walking the Locations the Day Before
The day before the shoots, I walked to each of my chosen locations to get a real feel for how they’d work. This step is essential as sometimes a spot looks perfect online but doesn’t translate well in person. I’d like to avoid turning up blind to locations where possible, as you never know what might be closed, or which road works may be happening that Google Maps wouldn’t have picked up. Here are some spots you might recognise later on in the post:
Key Things I Looked For:
Light Conditions: Even in January, light shifts throughout the day. I took note of how buildings cast shadows and which areas had the most flattering, soft light.
Foot Traffic & Distractions: I paid attention to how busy each location was at different times of the morning, essential for working with dogs who need a calm environment.
Textures & Colours: I looked for backdrops that would complement each dog’s coat, like the warm brickwork around York Minster for Wallis and the weathered ruins in Museum Gardens for Wilma.
Potential Challenges: Things like narrow spaces, busy roads, or unexpected construction can make or break a location. By scouting in advance, I could plan workarounds and ensure a smooth session.
The Timeless Charm of York’s Streets – Wallis the Dachshund
The day began at 8 AM, with sunrise not far behind at around 8:10am. In the dim early morning light, at times I had to push my ISO to over 10,000 to ensure I could capture Wallis clearly while maintaining detail. I also used whatever available light I could find: streetlights, shiny surfaces and shop window reflections to add warmth and depth to his portraits.
Wallis, a wire-haired dachshund, was a dream to work with. I fell in love with him the moment I laid eyes on him, completely besotted with his bearded face and relaxed personality. Calm and composed, he looked right at home among the historic stone of the Minster and the surrounding cobbled streets. His rich, textured coat blended beautifully with the warm tones of the architecture, proving that even the smallest dogs can make a big impact in a grand setting.
York’s historic streets aren’t just for tourists, they make a stunning stage for a dog’s personality to shine. Whether it’s a bold little adventurer like Wallis or a larger-than-life character, urban backdrops add depth, contrast, and storytelling to a portrait.
Embracing a Dog’s Natural Instincts – Wilma the Lurcher in Museum Gardens
Next up was Wilma, a striking lurcher, who I photographed in Museum Gardens. The ruins and outbuilding, softened by winter light, made the perfect setting. But there was one challenge for us to overcome: squirrels. Dozens of them.
With her high prey drive, Wilma was laser-focused, tracking their every move. Rather than trying to redirect her attention, I embraced it. To capture her intensity while ensuring crisp, sharp images, I kept my shutter speed fast enough to freeze her sudden glances and poised, alert stance. Even when she was momentarily still, I had to be ready for any quick movement, making fast focusing and timing crucial.
If you’re wondering what she’s looking at in the vast majority of the images where she’s not making eye-contact with the camera then you’d be absolutely right to guess it was more than likely a squirrel or five.
Her wiry, windblown coat mirrored the rugged beauty of the stonework, creating a beautifully natural, untamed look. And of course, she remained safely on lead the entire time, with careful positioning and editing, she appeared as free as her spirit.
If you have a dog who’s always on high alert, don’t worry there are ways to work around distractions and still create stunning, natural portraits. Leads can always be edited out, and with the right timing and approach, even the most excitable dogs can have their moment to shine.
This was Wilma’s first ever professional photoshoot, and I have to say she completely smashed it, don’t you think?
Some lovely words from Wilma’s human:
”Frankie is a friendly, warm professional who was a pleasure to meet. Our Lurcher Wilma loved her and was more than happy to pose. The session was fun for all of us! Communication throughout has been brilliant. The images are beautiful and we will treasure them forever.”
Italian Elegance in the Cold – Luca & Delilah’s Portraits
Finally, I met Luca and Delilah, a pair of Italian greyhounds whose delicate beauty contrasted with the rugged textures of York’s ruins. At just eight months old, Delilah still had an air of puppy playfulness but posed like a professional, while four-year-old Luca carried himself with graceful confidence.
The biggest challenge? The cold. Italian greyhounds aren’t built for chilly British mornings, so their comfort was my priority. Their lovely owners bundled them back into their warm coats between shots, only slipping them off briefly to capture their elegance against the historic brickwork.
Knowing I had limited time before they’d start to feel the chill, I worked quickly to ensure I could capture each moment before we wrapped them back up in their coats. The soft, overcast sky provided beautifully diffused light, which helped enhance the gentle tones of their blue and sandy-coloured coats against the weathered bricks. I could not have planned the location for their shoot better, they matched the colours of the Museum Gardens stonework perfectly.
This session was a complete reminder that even on a winter’s day, with a little planning and consideration, a photoshoot can still be comfortable and enjoyable for dogs of all kinds.
Could an Urban Shoot Be Right for Your Dog?
Every dog has a story, and an urban setting can be an incredible way to tell it. Whether it’s the striking contrast of a tiny dog against grand architecture, the rich textures of brick and stone complementing a dog’s coat, or the way light moves through historic streets, city shoots offer so much variety and character.
If you’ve ever thought your dog wouldn’t “pose” or that a city location wouldn’t suit them, you might be surprised. With the right approach, almost any dog (calm or excitable, big or small) can look absolutely stunning in an urban setting.
If you'd love to see your dog photographed against a historic or urban backdrop, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something just as magical as these York portraits: tailored to your dog’s unique personality.
What did I create with the images afterwards?
Having the vast majority of my dog portrait portfolio being shot in my former home, Hong Kong, this whole trip was about building my UK urban pet portraiture portfolio. I had hoped to capture some portraits that I could get printed on artwork samples so that I can show you what beautiful things are possible with the images I create of your dog.
First of all would be the Heritage Framed Canvas featuring the beautiful Wallis from the first session of the day. This is a beautiful modern tray frame which houses a timeless canvas print. Covered in a protective satin laminate, this artwork piece stands the test of time, resulting in a stunning matte finish with a subtle sheen leaving the image indistinguishable from a painting.
Next up, I knew I had to do something show-stopping with the image of Wilma in front of the blue doors, so I opted for one of the most beautiful pieces I offer: The Artisan Frame. This showcases images in a stunning and elegant presentation style with the optical illusion of them floating within the frame. With a heftier wooden frame, this really is a lifelong piece of artwork. I thought the grey wooden moulding would suit Wilma’s coat and markings perfectly… and I might have just been right! What do you think?
There’s an image from Luca & Delilah’s session that I have grand designs for too, so watch this space.
A photoshoot doesn’t end when the last picture is taken, that is just the beginning. After each session, I carefully curate and refine the images, transforming them into bespoke artwork that truly captures each dog’s uniqueness. Whether it’s a beautifully framed print or a print box that tells the story of their adventure, the final pieces are designed to be cherished and last for for a lifetime.
Next week, in Part 2, I’ll be sharing two more incredible dogs from my York model call who are no strangers to dog shows and had the posing skills to prove it! Stay tuned for more stunning locations, unique personalities, and the magic of dog photography in the heart of York City Centre.
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