The rise of pet photography
Not long ago, pet photography was seen as a novelty. A fun extra. A luxury add-on. Today, it has become one of the most emotionally powerful and fastest-growing areas of modern photography, and for good reason.
Our relationship with animals has changed. Pets are no longer “just pets.” They are family, companions, emotional anchors, and for many people, part of their identity. In a world that feels increasingly fast and digital, our connection to animals remains grounding, real, and deeply human.
Photography has followed that shift.
Denver, Weimaraner
From Niche to Mainstream
Pet photography used to live on the fringes of the industry. Now it sits alongside weddings, family portraits, and lifestyle branding.
Why?
Because people want to remember their pets the same way they remember everything else that matters. We already document:
• Birthdays
• Relationships
• Milestones
• Travel
• Family
Pets are part of all of that. They grow with us, move house with us, sit beside us on the sofa, and see us through some of the biggest emotional chapters of our lives.
A photograph becomes proof that those moments existed.
More Than a Picture
One of the most powerful things about pet photography is this: It outlives the moment.
Dogs and cats don’t stay with us forever, in fact their lives are short, but photographs do last. Years from now, a single image can bring back a voice, a look, a personality, a feeling.
That’s why so many clients tell me they didn’t realise how important the shoot was until later. The photos become part of their family history.
Not just content, but memory.
Why Pet Photography Feels So Real
There’s something beautifully honest about animals in front of a camera. They don’t pose for approval. They don’t hide their emotions. They just… exist.
That authenticity is what makes pet portraits so powerful:
• A dog’s excitement
• A cat’s quiet confidence
• A moment of trust between pet and owner
These images aren’t about perfection, they’re about connection. And that connection is what people are craving more of.
The Social & Cultural Shift
Pet photography has grown alongside social media and personal branding.
People now share:
• Their homes
• Their families
• Their routines
• Their emotional lives
Pets are woven into all of it. They humanise content. They create relatability. They build trust. Pets are major parts of our everyday lives, they build routine. From breakfast in the morning to walks and on to bed time, dogs especially seem to go like clockwork. I know this, because if one of my dogs doesn’t get walked or fed on time, you’ll know about it!
It’s no surprise that brands, creators, and even influencers are now building entire identities around their animals because people connect to them instantly.
Why It Matters to Me as a Photographer
For me, pet photography isn’t about trends. It’s about storytelling, as with any of my photographic work.
Every animal has a personality. Every owner has a bond with their pet that no one else can replicate.
Capturing that, the way they look at each other, the way they move together, the way a dog leans into someone they love, that’s what turns a photo into something meaningful.
It’s not just about what your pet looks like. It’s about who they are to you.
A Final Thought
The rise of pet photography isn’t a passing phase, it’s a reflection of how much animals mean to us.
These photos become keepsakes. They become memories. They become reminders of a love that never asked for anything in return.
And that’s something worth capturing.
Ish with Bailey
Pet brands we like & work with:
PetExx - Food supplements for cats and dogs combining science with a love of animals to help pet parents everywhere. Not a paid partnership, but our favourite brand for all supplements & pro/pre biotics. Merseyside based company that really cares about pets.
NutriPaw - NutriPaw was founded through their passion to make the world a better place for all dogs and their parents. We earn a small amount of commission when you purchase via our link.
Harringtons - Natural food for all pets. That’s Harringtons. Skye has an allergy to wheat & chicken, this has been the best food we’ve found for her, and we have tried loads!
