Blog

It is always special reconnecting with clients from the past, especially when they have new horses to be photographed, and even more so when they've been through tough times and nearly gave up horses.

These two - a palomino yearling called Legacy and a truly stunning Irish cob called Dory - were a joy to photograph. You never quite know what to expect with yearlings, but this one was as cool as a cucumber. And Dory, well, what a superstar!

The mischievous Mylo modelled for me for the second time for a commercial shoot last week. And what a character he's grown into. Now eight months, he started the shoot of with a serious case of the zoomies. I just wish I had half his energy! A massive thank you to Sam for her brilliant handling skills.

Meet Eddie. This gorgeous little cavapoo was just the perfect model. His owners knew exactly how to bring out his character, which is always the challenge when you photograph a dog that's not your own.

It's so interesting to see what owners choose, as different members of the family often have different favourite portraits. I'm looking from another angle, from a photographer's perspective, and my favourite images sometimes is completely different again...

I've been busy with commercial work recently for a company that manufactures dog grooming products and chews. Thanks to my many lovely dog-owning friends, I've been able to create lifestyle images featuring lots of different breeds of dogs in a variety of locations.

Naturally, I always like to thank my assistants and their models by creating a portrait of some kind to show my appreciation for their time and effort. As we had completed our second shoot and already had a dog portrait in the bag, the owner asked for something of the two of them. The image below was the result of a late afternoon shoot in April, when the light had become soft and mellow.

These two are just such a great team; they are both full of energy. Capturing their special relationship was an honour, and it has been such a joy to work with them both.

Do feel free to get in touch if you live local (Surrey/West Sussex border between Horsham, Dorking and Cranleigh) would like to be considered for modelling. I'm always on the lookout!

Part of what I love about my work is that I meet all sorts of different, fascinating people. I spent a lovely day with McTimoney chiropractor and Bodywise Bioenergetics practitioner Tricia Hobbs at her beautiful home in the New Forest for a commercial lifestyle shoot.

We had discussed what to wear, hair and make-up for the shoot in detail beforehand and the aim was to create relaxed, fun but professional-looking portraits for the various aspects of her work.

The locations varied from the studio, kitchen and hallway to office and garden, with outfit changes throughout.

It's challenging work as you're constantly working out the best settings, angles, light, but it's also extremely rewarding. Can't wait to see the images put to use!

I am beyond excited to have one of my images as the front cover of Horse & Hound magazine this week. It's of a gorgeous little Welsh section B stallion called Moelview Prince Consort whom I was asked to photograph for the weekly Horse Hero series.

Having worked for this Bible of the equestrian world on and off most of my working life, it's so special. Yes, I've had other magazine covers as well as many features that I've written and illustrated with my own photography, but nothing quite beats achieving my first H&H cover.

I like to photograph dogs in their own surroundings, ideally at home or otherwise on a walk that is familiar to them. I find it is much easier to capture the moment when they show their true character, that bit of personality that makes them special that way.

People sometimes worry their home or garden isn't good enough or suitable for photography, but this image proves otherwise. The backdrop is actually a green barbecue cover. His relaxed, know-it-all, superior expression just sums up this Jack Russell/Westie cross.

I couldn't resist taking a few portraits of this beautiful border collie after we had finished creating the commercial-commissioned shots. Photographing dogs in their own surroundings always makes for a relaxed shoot and this young dog was such a joy to work with, posing perfectly with a wall in the background and also in her garden. Such an intelligent breed.

So many people shy away from working with animals, but it is something I thoroughly enjoy. Yes, you need patience and it helps not to be rushed for time as animals pick up on any tension immediately. But when it all comes together, it is such a sense of achievement.

Here are my favourite images from the PetLove Nuzzle Puzzle dog toy shoot...

I have always believed in fate. When, during the 2021 epidemic restrictions, some gypsy wagons turned up on our village green one wet and miserable autumn weekend, I was intrigued to find out more about the people and their ponies.

The result was that I ended up writing a feature about David Sanger for Horse & Hound magazine and entering one of the portraits I took during their brief stay into the 2021 Sony World Photography Awards ceremony.

It was so special meeting David, his travelling companion Anette and their animals - five ponies and two dogs. And I'm grateful for them allowing me to have a glimpse into their way of life.

Click here to read the Horse & Hound magazine feature.

Photographing animals always requires a certain amount of patience, never more so when you have four dogs to photograph. It's a good thing I love a challenge!

It was luxury to photograph a horse whose ears didn't need to be pricked and one that didn't get bored or spooked for a change!

Wouldn't mind having one of these in my garden, I have to say.

These rather special sculptures are available from The Coach House Surrey.

I had the fortune of being asked to photograph a rather impressive equestrian centre a little while ago, which is the new home of Olympic dressage rider and trainer Spencer Wilton and husband, dressage rider Darren Hicks.

They are now based at The Cotswold Club Equestrian, just outside Naunton in Gloucestershire. There is filtered water in the tackroom as well as underfloor heating and granite worktops. The gorgeous club room features four massive vintage Louis Vuitton trunks, which are topped with glass to make a coffee table. The attention to detail and stunning interior design are the height of luxury, for horse and human!

Click here to see my favourite images from the shoot.

To view how how the images have been used on Spencer's website, click here and for Darren's website, click here.

Finally, a sense of normal life and work is resuming as we are coming out of lockdown. It's been an incredibly busy week. Here's a little taster from one of the shoots - taken at a stable yard with a difference.

All will be revealed in due course, but it was one hell of venue. It's not often you work at a yard with underfloor heating in the tackrooms or where there are coffee tables made from vintage Louis Vuitton trunks!

How adorable is this young lady?!?! She's a miniature dachshund puppy. I've never seen such a fearless, tiny pup. She was playing with the lambs, and ended up chasing them away, much to her disappointment. Such a character. I do love my job!

I do so enjoy creating lifestyle images as it allows you to be creative and is never boring when animals are involved.

I recently completed a shoot for a regular client, Nylabone, featuring a couple of new launches. As I have two dogs, the client decided it would be nice to use one of mine. I have two dogs, but one is a rather aged lurcher. The other is a little cocker spaniel, a retired working dog, whom I took on a couple of years ago.

He took to his second career extremely well, bless him. His name is Birty and he is undoubtedly my dog of a lifetime; he just oozes character and makes me laugh with his many expressions and comic behaviour (cockers have the wiggliest bottoms propelled by their enthusiastic tails).

Enough of that; here's my little man...

Do visit the commercial gallery to see the full set of images from this shoot.

Proud to have won the digital projected portrait of the year at my local camera club last night with an image I took on a wet and thoroughly miserable day in London last week.

Many thanks to the lovely model, who works in the ticket office for the Thames cruises. Apparently it was the second time he had been asked to be photographed that week, but that's not entirely surprising when you are as characterful as he is!

Like people, there are some horses that just know how to show themselves off to best effect in front of the camera. That's certainly true for this Connemara pony — what an absolute star.

This is Jacob, also known as the blond bombshell. I just adore his expression in this image. So pleased the client has chosen it. He's made me smile on a dreary, grey January day.

As far as I'm concerned, today the weather was just perfect; we were on Leith Hill for a commercial shoot involving the stunning Maple. Yes, it could have been just slightly brighter, but I adore the soft winter light and would always choose cloud over sun any day.

Leith Hill never fails to deliver, providing the most beautiful backdrop and a huge thank you to all models and assistants; you know who you are.

Maple did, of course, have to pose for a portrait, a thank you to her owners.

To view the commercial images, click here.