I have been photographing these gorgeous boys since back in 2013 and it has been such a pleasure and joy to watch them grow up over the years!

When I first met them, nervous little Herbie had only just been adopted. Before being rescued, Herbie had never been properly socialized with other dogs. His fur was matted and dreadlocked, and he was extremely thin and flea-ridden. Thankfully, AWDRI stepped in and before long he was in his furever home with Natasha, his brother Koda and their feline siblings.

These days, the boys are totally inseparable. Koda is a big sook who loves belly rubs and back scratches (and isn’t shy in asking for them) and Herbie will happily sit in your lap all day long (in fact, whenever we have a photoshoot, I inevitably end up trying to photograph Koda with Herbie in my lap!)

“Kira has an interesting personality. She is reserved and a bit of a couch potato (and has the world’s best resting bitch face haha!) but she’s also a sweetheart and it’s hard to put into words exactly what she means to me. I can’t imagine life without her - she means the world.

Her favourite things are curling up under a blanket (and food!) and we love spending time outdoors together.”
~ Briony, Kira’s Mum

This ragtag bunch of gorgeous, crazy weirdos bring so much happiness to their furparents lives!

From left to right; we’ve got Maggie, who was dumped pregnant in a pound, contracted parvo and lost all her babies - nearly dying herself. But she’s a tough girl and fought her way back to health!

Next there’s Peanut, the new kid on the block! He’s a teeny little boy who was rescued at just 2 weeks old - what he lacks in size he makes up for in personality (and ears!).

Then there’s Louis, the eldest of the lot and ruler of the roost! He’s a stubborn man who loves to chat, sniff and bark at magpies!

And finally there’s Stanley. Don’t be fooled by the cool-as-a-cucumber, sly little look he’s giving us in this portrait - Stanley is a silly boy who is all legs, ears and goofy grin!

Nelson has been by his Mum’s said since she was just nine years old. This little, old man loves the sun, doing his own things and above all else - his Mum!

His photoshoot(s!) were really special to me, an experience that I will recall and treasure in the future on the days that this job gets tough. See, for all the exciteable zoomies and adorable puppies that I have the pleasure of photographing, my job also involves the heartbreaking art of capturing the bond between pets and their people as they near their goodbyes. 

It doesn’t get any easier. I’ve been doing this for 8 years and I still bawl my eyes out when I learn that an animal I’ve photographed has crossed the rainbow bridge.

I believe that to be a good animal photographer, you need to be highly empathetic. You need to be able to see and love that pet through their human’s eyes, to be able to capture their bond together and allow their personality to shine.

While this means that I quickly fall in love with (and would totally dognap) every furry soul that graces my lens, it also means that the sad sessions are HARD. But this time is not about me, so I blink back tears and desperately try to compose myself behind the lens, while I watch my clients cuddle, kiss and love their old souls. We all know that probably, within weeks or months, they’ll be gone. It’s not easy, but it’s an honour and one that I am proud to do.

On the day of Nelson’s first shoot, he was not well. He was diagnosed with renal failure when he was ten years old (he’s now 18!) and it looked like these were his final days. Photographing him snuggled tightly in his Mum’s arms, tired and small, was a beautiful but sad experience. I said my goodbyes at the end of our afternoon together, expecting that Nelson would be gone by the time we had our Session Reveal two weeks later. 

Imagine my complete shock and utter joy, when into the showroom walked a pleased-as-punch couple of furparents and one tail-wagging, bright eyed, happy, little Nelson! A change of medication had given the old man a new lease of life. Never have I seen such a transformation in a dog I’ve photographed! His Mum has been given the gift of more time with her life-long pal and we promptly organised a reshoot to capture happy Nelson (sans medical boot!)

So thank you Nelson, for teaching and reminding me that you never know what gifts and sunshine life might have waiting for you. You little champ!

“Korben is an outgoing, energetic, super-friendly boy. That being said - he’s also independent to the point of frustration! He’s extremely clever and basically refuses to stop exploring until he’s ready to return (one of the reasons we love holidaying at Countrywide Cottages, because of their enclosed paddocks!)

Leeloo is as cautious as Korben is brave, and she startles easily. She is very affectionate with us, but doesn’t feel the need to greet everyone and their dog like Korben. Leeloo is absolutely ball crazy and will play fetch or tug all day if you’re willing!”

~ Nicole, Korben and Leeloo’s Mum

“Since I adopted him, Simba has been by my side through the highs and all the lows. While I have battled with mental illness, he has got me through my darkest days.

He knew how I felt, he lived through it too. He never judged though, every time he would be by my side purring his little head off, letting me know everything would be okay. Every time I was ready to give up, he was my reason to keep going.

There was no one in this world I trusted to love and care for him as much as I did. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving him, the cat that loved me unconditionally.

His soft four and gentle purrs ground me and almost instantly my anxiety eases when he's around. Simba doesn't just bring love, happiness and white fur into my life - he saved it.”
~Simba’s Mum, Sarah

“Ranger - Loyal and protective. Head of security at home. He is a bit of a sook and loves a good cuddle. He is my soul dog.

Gus - The worker. Tough nut and will never tire. Dave's bestie.

Donny - Was born in the pound and spent the first 17 months of his life there due to ongoing court proceedings in a puppy farm case. Sometimes timid in new situations, but an absolute sweetheart.”
~ Ranger, Gus and Donny’s Mum, Kim

I first photographed Rosie back in 2016, when she was a young little girl (and only child!) Fast forward a few years and Rosie now has herself her very own hooman brother - with gorgeous red hair just like hers (you can tell they’re related haha!)

”I fell in love with Rosie instantly. She was so tiny, I could hold her in one hand. An excited little ball of fluff, she ran laps around me, licking my face - there was no way she wasn’t going to be joining our family!

Rosie has a contagious personality. Everywhere we take her there are people praising her for her cuteness and bubbly personality, petting her, taking photos of her and even picking her up and cuddling her. We count our lucky stars every day that she chose us!”