Poppy the Collie and Rufus the Retriever – Dog Photography in Teeside

There’s something so rewarding about photographing a dog you already know and love—especially when they’ve got a brand new sibling in tow. Returning client Poppy the Collie was back for another photography adventure, this time with her adorable younger brother Rufus, a bouncy, tail-wagging Golden Retriever pup.

Whether they were trotting side by side or doing their own thing, the bond was clear. They’re still finding their rhythm as a duo, but the mutual trust and gentle affection came through in every frame.

We met in Coatham Woods, a versatile patch of nature in Teesside with a mixture of wide open paths, pockets of younger and older tree growth, and grassy clearings that made for perfect posing spots. As always, the session was dog-led, joy-filled, and full of small moments that told a big story about love, growth, and family. Poppy can be anxious, so it was wonderful to see her confidence come through in this experience.

Amelia and Morgan are the kind of dog parents that make my job feel like a collaboration, not just a service. Amelia actually used to work at the dog daycare our oldest boy Marty went to when we lived in Derbyshire—so reconnecting with her here in the North felt like one of those full-circle moments you don’t get very often.

Morgan, meanwhile, gets the award for “Most Willing to Get Muddy for the Shot.” Whether kneeling in soggy grass or navigating the trickier woodland alleys, he was fully on board to help make the images work—exactly the kind of energy that keeps a session moving.

I love working with returning clients—there’s already trust, already rhythm, and it lets us build on the story we’ve already started. Seeing how Poppy has grown into her role as big sister, and watching Rufus learn and explore, was such a privilege.

And when the humans are as down-to-earth, patient, and game for a laugh as Amelia and Morgan, it turns into more than just a photography experience—it becomes a shared experience.