‘Angels of the North’ Dog Photography in Carlisle: Kicking Off in Cumbria
The Angels of the North project is officially underway, and what better place to start than Carlisle? As a Cumbria-based dog photographer, I wanted to kick off my months-long creative journey in a city that represents the region’s history and character. Known for Carlisle Castle, its railway heritage, and atmospheric old town streets, it offered the perfect mix of stunning backdrops for artistic dog portraits.
This is the first stop in a six-month photography project celebrating dogs across northern England, with each location showcasing a unique side of the North. Five images from each city will accompany one-month in my 2026 Photography by Frankie calendar, and portion of the profits will be donated to an important charity working with dogs in the north of England. I’m still on the hunt for a charity to make these donations to, so please contact me with your suggestions.
Cumbria Dog Photography in Carlisle: A Weekend of Contrasting Weather
As a Cumbria dog photographer, I wanted to start Angels of the North in a place that truly represents the region I live and work in. Carlisle has everything a photographer could want: rich history, stunning architecture, and a variety of urban backdrops that bring out the character of each dog I photograph. From the grand walls of Carlisle Castle to the intricate details of the Cathedral and the old streets surrounding them, I personally think the city is a dream location for creating beautiful dog portraits.
But what really made this weekend special was the people and their dogs. I met such a range of wonderful owners, each with their own story. Some had deep bonds with their rescue dogs, others loved training and working with theirs, and many simply adored adventuring together with their pack. Being able to immortalise these dogs in my own signature style was a complete privilege.
Her are phone pictures of some backgrounds and locations I ended up using for the sessions. Can you spy any of them in my final images?
The first weekend of February 2025 brought two completely different shooting conditions. Saturday was bright and sunny, while Sunday was overcast and damp. I loved how the dogs photographed on each day matched these weather conditions perfectly, I couldn’t have planned it any better. The golden light on Saturday enhanced the golden dogs I was photographing that day, while Sunday’s cloud cover and damp streets gave a softer, moodier atmosphere, both perfect for storytelling through photography.
The Dogs of Carlisle and Their Portrait Locations
Saturday: Golden Light and Historic Streets
Amber the miniature poodle was a perfect match for the sandstone hues of Carlisle Cathedral. Her amber-coloured, fluffy coat looked stunning in the historic setting and was subtly enhanced by the morning sun. Her owner picked a lovely image of her playfully walking towards the camera in one of the historic streets surrounding the cathedral.
Bella the golden retriever, a beautiful rescue dog, had a beautiful attachment to her human. Her portrait, framed by one of the archways in front of the cathedral, captures her gentle and loving nature as she gazed up at her favourite person standing off-camera. We spent our 30-minute session walking around the streets nearby and capturing Bella in the rising morning light.
Sunday: Moody Tones and Iconic Locations
Rocco the Rottweiler is an incredibly sweet and mellow dog. Responding to commands in both German and English, he is exceptionally well-trained and a delight to photograph. He was photographed at Carlisle Train Station, a nod to the city’s railway history, and had an amazing array of poses: including iconic flat-downs which I thought were absolutely adorable. His owner picked a classic headshot that captures his personality perfectly.
Apollo the Staffie is super friendly, waggy, and full of character. He’s also one of the most adorable dogs I’ve ever met - just look at his beautiful face! His humans’ favourite portrait from the session was taken outside St Cuthbert’s Church, where the historic stonework and damp floors worked in unison with his blue coat to create a beautiful final image. We wandered around the streets of the historic quarter to capture Apollo in a variety of beautiful Carlisle locations, he’s just so photogenic.
Theo, Harper, and Willow, a trio of the most adorable working cocker spaniel, a stunning border collie and kelpie cross, and a gorgeous gun-dog Labrador, were photographed just as a bit of rain started to fall towards the end of the morning. I did wonder was it a little bit ambitious to take on 3 dogs in a quick 30-minute session, but I just could not say no and, let’s be honest, when have I ever backed down from a challenge? The images speak for themselves, and this super trio turned it out in style for the final session in this amazing city. Their humans of course picked a fabulous group shot outside the Castle as their favourite from the day.
Featuring Carlisle’s Dogs in the 2026 Photography by Frankie Calendar
All the dogs photographed in Carlisle will be featured in the 2026 Photography by Frankie charity calendar. The images owners chose as their thank-you gift might not necessarily be the same ones that make it into the final calendar, but every dog photographed will be part of the month celebrating Carlisle’s Angels of the North.
What’s Next for Angels of the North?
Carlisle has set the tone for this project and will be a tough act to follow; however, I can’t wait for my next destination this coming weekend: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. March will see me hit up my hometown Liverpool, as well as return to York where I did some sessions back in January.
Where will I go next? Stay tuned for more updates as I travel across northern England, photographing dogs in stunning urban locations.
