Dog Photography in Cumbria: A Stunning Start to 2025: Brampton & Carlisle Portrait Sessions
The start of 2025 has been a transformative journey for my photography business in Cumbria. After settling in Brampton, I've been capturing the unique personalities of dogs across the region. I kicked off my Angels of the North project in Carlisle, giving local dog owners a first taste of my services, and I'm thrilled to say the response has been incredible. Every single client from Carlisle has been raving about their portraits, which has been an amazing way to start the year.
From professional recognition at The Societies of Photographers awards to intimate portrait sessions that celebrate the beauty of your dogs, these first two months have blown me away. Whether you're looking for dog photography in the countryside around Brampton, the Lake District, urban images in Carlisle or Newcastle, or sessions anywhere in Cumbria, I'm passionate about creating portraits that truly capture your dog's spirit.
As we move into March (also, how?!), I'm excited to share the full story of these first two months: the sessions, the challenges, the moments of pure joy, and the incredible dogs I've had the privilege of photographing. So grab yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and join me for a journey through January and February 2025.
Dog Photography in Cumbria, York, Newcastle, and Carlisle: Angels of the North Project
The first two months of 2025 have been a whirlwind of professional dog photography sessions across Northern England, spanning four incredible locations: York, Carlisle, Newcastle, and Brampton. My mission? To capture the unique personalities of dogs in diverse urban and rural settings, creating memorable portraits that tell each dog's individual story.
Professional Dog Photography in York: A Model Call Success
January began with an intensive two-day dog photography model call in York, showcasing the city's historic charm as a backdrop for canine portraits. I photographed six remarkable dogs, each bringing their distinctive personality to life:
Wire-haired Dachshund Photography: Wallis was a beautiful, quiet and calm little character who held his own against the dramatic city backdrop.
Lurcher Portrait Session: Wilma demonstrated the elegant grace of lurchers against York's beautifully rugged landmarks in Museum Gardens.
Italian Greyhound Photography: Luca and Delilah's playful energy brought dynamic shots to life.
Standard Poodle Portraits: Bea epitomised the regal nature of her breed and fitted in with her surroundings seamlessly.
Old English Sheepdog Photography: Doogle showcased the lovable character of this iconic breed.
Read all about my journey to York the first time round in Part 1 and Part 2.
Angels of the North: Dog Photography in Carlisle and Newcastle
While I began recruiting dog models in January, February marked the launch of the shooting part of my Angels of the North project, bringing professional dog photography to two vibrant Northern English cities. In Carlisle, I explored both well-known landmarks and hidden historical locations, capturing a diverse range of dog breeds and personalities. My next stop Newcastle provided an equally compelling backdrop with its striking architecture and dynamic urban landscapes.
Carlisle Dog Photography: Client Testimonials and Local Love
The response from my Carlisle clients has been extraordinary. Every single client has left glowing 5-star or 100% reviews or recommendations on Google and Facebook, highlighting the emotional depth and professional quality of my dog portrait sessions. These testimonials underscore my commitment to creating more than just photographs: my service is second-to-none and the quality of my images speak for themselves.
Where’s Next?
The Angels of the North project has been my compass, guiding me through the diverse urban landscapes of North West England. Liverpool burst into life during the first weekend of March, its vibrant cityscape providing an unexpected canvas for dog photography. Each street corner, each historic backdrop became a stage for capturing canine personalities: from the playful to the profound. I cannot wait to share some of these portraits, they definitely have the wow factor: I would expect nothing less from my hometown. Just days later, York beckons for the project. There's something magical about photographing dogs against the city's ancient stones and winding streets and I cannot wait to go back there and photograph a whole new pack of dogs.
Applications are currently open for my April destinations: Lancaster and Durham. Once we roll into May, half of the cities on my list of 12 will have been completed already! I cannot quite believe it.
Countryside Dog Photography Near Brampton
A special session with Paddy the eleven-year-old lurcher near Brampton revealed the magic of historic Cumbrian landscapes in dog photography. One unforgettable moment captured Paddy within an ancient stone window, his elegant silhouette backlit by golden afternoon light. The image is such a unique one which perfectly highlights his sighthound form framed against weathered stonework, creating a portrait that speaks to both his distinctive silhouette and the timeless beauty of Northern Cumbria's architecture.
Another favourite image of mine shows Paddy ascending worn stone stairs, his backward glance brimming with curiosity. His fawn-coloured coat harmonises perfectly with the surrounding stone, highlighting how well he fitted into the environment. These unplanned moments truly capture what makes bespoke dog photography sessions so special, revealing the authentic character of aby dog against the rich historical or natural backdrops of Cumbrian settings.
Whether in full stride or pausing with that soulful gaze, Paddy embodied the distinctive grace of lurchers. These portraits were more than just photographs; they were a celebration of a dog's life, spirit, and the stunning landscapes of our region.
Award-Winning Photography: A Milestone Year (already) in Wildlife and Dog Photography
Sometimes, a single image can change everything. For me, that image has proven to be Kiss of Death: a photograph that has become a turning point in my photographic journey, opening doors I never imagined accessible to me.
It all began on a crisp January evening in London at the Societies of Photographers awards ceremony. As my name was called for Overall Photographer of the Year 2024, the room seemed to blur around me and I was in visible disbelief and shock. The Natural World Photographer of the Year title proceeded, a moment that felt both surreal and deeply validating. Kiss of Death has become more just an image; it is a story, a captured moment of raw emotion that continues to resonate with judges and viewers alike.
But the recognition didn't stop there. The Tog Awards became another milestone, awarding Kiss of Death a Gold Award and bringing two more incredible achievements: 3rd Place for Action Photographer of the Year with Out with the Old, and 3rd Place for Portrait Photographer of the Year with The Lookout. Each award meant a great deal to me as a wildlife photographer, as all 3 were captured out in Kenya in 2024 in three different places: the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park and Lake Nakuru National Park.
My images have continued to make waves internationally too. Kiss of Death was named Best of Nation (UK) at the World Photographic Cup, positioning me among the top 10 finalists representing the United Kingdom. The upcoming award ceremony in Quito, Ecuador, in March holds the promise of even more excitement. Meanwhile, the news of Kiss of Death becoming a January finalist in the Greatest Wildlife Photographer of the Year Kenya competition has added another layer of international recognition.
Closer to home, my passion for dog photography continued to shine. A Silver Award from the British Institute of Professional Photography for The Gatekeeper, a portrait of Bea, the standard poodle from my York session, reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It's not about the awards, as much as I will always be grateful for the recognition, it’s about continuing to tell stories with my camera.
Chasing Light: A Photographer's Spring Journey Across Northern England
The whispers of spring are starting to transform the landscape, and with them is coming a wave of creative energy that's impossible for me to ignore. As the days grow longer and colour returns to the landscape, I’m getting even more excited about what the months of March and April have in store for me.
My private client sessions are quickly filling the calendar, weaving between urban centers and the rolling countryside of Cumbria. But perhaps my most anticipated project lies in the fell farms, where I'll begin documenting working border collies in the months of March and April. These sessions aim to be a celebration of an age-old partnership between working dogs, the rugged Cumbrian landscape and their handlers.
Easter and the early summer are giving me lots of ideas for some special events I'm dreaming of floral-themed sessions that capture the renewal and vibrant energy of the season. Imagine dogs surrounded by delicate blossoms, golden light filtering through new leaves, creating lasting canine portraits that are a combination of beautiful nature and dogs being their best selves.
As the days stretch longer and warmer, I’m becoming re-energised by the light. Golden hours easily transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Each session becomes an exploration of light, landscape, and the incredible dogs which step in front of my lens.
Join me, won’t you?