So you have had your professional photoshoot for your pet business. Now what? The images shouldn’t just sit in a folder looking pretty – you have invested in them so they should be working for you.

When I work with pet brands, a big part of the process is thinking beyond the shoot itself. It’s not just about creating beautiful images, it’s about creating a bank of content that supports your business long after the shoot has finished.

And the difference between brands that really benefit from a shoot and those that don’t often comes down to one thing: how the images are used afterwards.

Take Sarah at My Anxious Dog. She has this beautiful gazebo setup that her imagery, and at a crowded event, it stands out. And then you see her photos on social media and you recognise her brand. That’s not by accident, that’s consistency.

Think of the last time you went to a dog event…

Something else worth thinking about, especially if you exhibit at events, is how your imagery works from a distance. Most gazebos and stands are actually quite neutral. Whites, greys, simple branding. Which means everything can start to blend into one another when you’re walking through a busy show – think of the last time you went to a dog event, sometimes it’s difficult to tell one brand from another. 

That’s where strong, recognisable imagery makes a huge difference.

With Sarah’s setup, it’s not just that the gazebo looks good up close. It’s that her imagery catches your eye from a distance. Alongside the text, the image gives people something to latch onto before they’ve even reached the stand and tells them what she does, quickly. People don’t stop at every stand – they’re drawn in by what stands out first, as you will know if you’ve ever been to a dog event. 

So while investing in printed materials or a slightly more considered setup might feel like an extra cost, if you’re exhibiting regularly it becomes part of the visibility of your brand.

Think about what you can give people to take away with them too. 

It’s worth thinking about what you can give people to take home with them, especially if you attend events.

After a busy day walking around a show, people often leave with a bag full of leaflets, business cards, samples and catalogues. And when they get home, they’ll go through it properly, deciding what to keep, what to revisit, and what to throw away, that’s another moment where your imagery is working for you.

If your printed materials look professional, consistent and engaging, people are far more likely to pause, look through them and remember you. It’s not just about handing something out, it’s about creating something people want to keep. And just like with your stand, this is where strong, consistent imagery can make all the difference.

Your images can be used across your website, social media, email marketing, product listings, printed materials, press features, and more. They can help you build a recognisable look and feel that people start to associate with your brand but to do that well, you need to think about usage from the start.

Ruth at Doghouse Bradford on Avon, has used her images to create a catalogue, business cards and more for trade shows that feels high end, consistent, completely aligned with her brand but most of all, they stand out. The images don’t just sit on Instagram, they’re working across multiple touchpoints in her business.

This is why I often help clients build a shot list before the shoot. Not just based on what will look nice, but based on what they’ll actually need; website banners, product in use, seasonal content, negative space for marketing text to be added, lifestyle imagery – it all plays a role.

Because a great shoot isn’t just about the day itself, it’s about what those images allow you to do afterwards. If you’ve had a photoshoot before and feel like you didn’t fully use your images, you’re not alone. But with a bit of planning, those same images can become one of the most valuable assets in your business, and can be reused for years to come.

If you’d like a hand planning imagery that actually works for your business (not just looks nice), feel free to drop me a message at kerry@furandfables.com

 

Professional photographer working Worldwide with Pet Businesses

The dog service industry has grown hugely over the past few years – in fact every aspect of the dog industry has!

Dog a google search for dog walkers, trainers or behaviourists in most areas and you can see for yourself how competitive it’s become. And while being good at what you do is essential, it’s no longer the only thing that helps you stand out. It’s also about how you present your business.

I recently worked with a Barkshire Dog Training and, out of curiosity, had a look at others in her area. What stood out immediately was how few were using professional imagery consistently. Most relied on phone photos or a mix of different styles with the occasional professional looking photo in the mix. Nothing wrong with that, but it meant that when you came across a trainer with high-quality imagery, it felt noticeably different – more established, more trustworthy, more professional.

Because before someone ever meets you, they’re forming an impression based on what they see online. Your website, your social media, your imagery,  it all contributes to how people perceive your business.

Your images should reflect who you are and what you offer.

When you invest in professional photography, it’s not just about looking “nice”. It’s about aligning how your business looks with the level of service you provide. You are a professional. Your visuals should reflect that.

Another really important part of this shoot was making sure the imagery clearly showed how Sarah trains, not just that she’s a dog trainer. Before someone even reads a word on her website, they can already see her approach. The use of Tug-E-Nuff toys, the interaction between her and the dogs, the calm, engaged body language – it all reflects her force free, predatory substitution training style. That means she’s not just attracting more people, she’s attracting the right people. The ones who are already aligned with her methods, often within seconds of landing on her page.

When you work with animals, there’s another layer to it. Capturing natural, relaxed imagery isn’t just about technical skill, it’s also about understanding behaviour. Knowing when to adapt, when to pause, and how to create an environment where a dog feels safe and comfortable, because people can tell the difference. An image where a dog looks relaxed and engaged creates a completely different feeling to one where they look unsure or stressed. And that feeling feeds directly into trust.

In a crowded market, small details make a big difference and often, how your business looks online is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stand out.

If you’re in the pet industry, does your imagery reflect the level of service you provide? And if not, it might be time to change that.

If you’d like a hand planning imagery that actually works for your business (not just looks nice), feel free to drop me a message at kerry@furandfables.com

 

Professional photographer working Worldwide with Pet Businesses

From the Fells to The Netherlands: My First European Pet Brand Shoot

A while ago, I set out some some long and short term business goals, one of them to do a European commercial shoot for a pet brand.

I had no clue as to how it would happen, but I am a firm believer in the power of writing down your wishes. Fast forward a to October 2025 and that dream became reality with a commercial shoot in The Netherlands for The Canine Menu.

This wasn’t just another photoshoot for me, it was a milestone. A mix of excitement, logistics, mild panic, and a lot of learning along the way!

Setting the Scene: Planning a Pet Brand Shoot Abroad

When The Canine Menu reached out about creating lifestyle imagery for their new campaign in the Netherlands, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to take Fur & Fables international.

But….I’d never driven abroad before… and I was bringing my two whippets, Bertie and Shadow. I’d taken dogs on the Eurotunnel years ago but that was before the B word changed everything and made travel with pets a bit more complicated.

So, I dove into organisation mode (a skill I honed working for CEO’s in my pre-photography life). Here’s what the planning looked like:

• Researching ferry routes and pet-friendly cabins: The Canine Menu had just launched on P&O so the Hull–Rotterdam overnight crossing looked like a good option as they had pet friendly cabins.
• Prepping the paperwork: Getting the dogs’ Animal Health Certificates, rabies jabs, and worming schedule in order.
• Sorting gear and props: Everything needed to fit neatly into the car alongside two dogs, camera equipment, and enough coffee to fuel a small village.
• Finding a vet in the Netherlands: This needed to be booked in advance for the worming treatment before our return (a requirement for re-entry to the UK).
• Sourcing travel-safe dog food: Since raw meat products are restricted when crossing borders, I packed air-dried fish food from The Innocent Hound and insect treats from Pawcura both brands I know and trust.

Thanks to ChatGPT I had a great timeline and checklist so by the time I packed the car, everything was in order (or so I thought…).

The Ferry Fiasco

I boarded in Hull without a hitch,  the dogs were scanned at passport control in the UK, paperwork checked – they asked me to put on hazard lights when driving onto the ferry so I could be directed to the pet parking section.

I was looking forward to wandering a dog-friendly deck, relaxing with a nice dinner boys lounging beside me…

But nope.

Dogs were only allowed in the cabin or a small metal “exercise area” with a bench and a splash of green paint.

Lesson: check which ferry routes actually have dog-friendly decks!

Thankfully, I’d given the boys some PAWD drink and used Pet Remedy spray on their bedding, so they were perfectly content and once they settled, I dashed to Costa (where I was very happy to see they served pizza and prosecco – result!), watched a film, and turned in for the night.

The cabin had two single beds, which worked out perfectly as the boys claimed one, and I took the other. Bertie needed a bit of encouragement to toilet somewhere that wasn’t grass, but otherwise, they were brilliant travellers.

Vet Visits & Rotterdam Rush Hour

Because worming must be done by an EU vet 24–120 hours before returning to the UK, and I was coming back within that time, I decided to sort it on arrival.

I found a great clinic near the ferry, but what I didn’t check was that it was in central Rotterdam.

Cue: navigating rush-hour traffic, on-road parking, two whippets, and one photographer with no sense of direction doing a good impression of staying calm. 

It all worked out fine; the visit cost €130 for the pills and updated Animal Health Certificate but it was good reminder that “near” doesn’t always mean “convenient.”

Tip: Plan your EU vet visit route in advance. City centres are beautiful, but not ideal when you’re juggling paperwork, parking, pets and a faulty internal compass!

Driving Abroad

Once I got going, driving on the right was surprisingly easy,  I stayed behind the lorries in the slow lane and took my time.

Roundabouts were straightforward, and the only real eek moments for me was learning to cross two lanes to turn left.

By the time I reached the gorgeous venue, the anxiety had gone and I felt pretty good about the experience.

Feeding the Boys: What are the Restrictions

Because meat and raw food are restricted when entering the EU, I stuck to air-dried and insect-based options for the dogs on the ferry. I called P&O ahead of time to double check and they were great, confirming that these were okay to bring.

It was also because I wasn’t sure how confident I would be about driving so wanted to make sure I had a backup, but when I was there I was able to stock on meat up in good old Lidl.

Some followers told me they’d brought raw food abroad in chillers before, but I didn’t fancy explaining a suitcase of frozen mince to customs officers!

Tips for travelling abroad with dogs on the ferry

A few things I’d pass on to anyone planning a similar trip:

Dogs:

1. Start paperwork early – Animal Health Certificates must be signed within 10 days of travel. There’s a lot of paperwork so I’d recommend contacting your vets at least 2 months before you travel just in case any issues come up. You can get your AHC online which works out cheaper but it still requires a vet visit to scan the chips and get the rabies jab
2. Check what jabs the actually need vs what the vets tell you – I was horrified at the huge list of jabs and pills the vets listed out, but when I queried them, they were ‘suggested’ but not actually ‘have to have’.
3. Book pet-friendly cabins early – not all ferry routes have them, and they sell out quickly.
4. Plan your abroad vet visit in advance – pick somewhere accessible (maybe not a city centre if you haven’t driven abroad before!).
5. Double-check import restrictions – especially around pet food and supplements.
6. Bring familiar comforts for your dogs – I know it sounds simple, but having their bedding, toys etc can make all the difference.
7. Keep your dog calm – even if your dogs are normally confident in new situations like my boys are, if they haven’t travelled before it’s worth starting to use some natural calming products ahead of time just in case
8. Find out the check in details – On the way there, the boys were scanned in the car at passport control so I thought it would be the same on the way back but I had to head to the main office to get their documents and chips checked. Thankfully I’d arrived early.

Car & Travel:

1. Check what you need to have on & in your car – travelling to Rotterdam I made sure I had a triangle & fluorescent jacket in case of break down, head torch, stick on adapters for my lights, a UK sticker.

2. The ‘just in case’ things – check your insurances (car, pet etc) to see if you have cover abroad. I added on a breakdown cover for the days I was there at a small cost, but peace of mind.

3. Print out copies of all your documents – if you need access for any reason, it’s easier to have them all in an envelope rather than trying to search through your phone or email.

4. Clean your car – I saw this last minute but I’m glad I did. For Rotterdam at least they ask that your car be pretty clean, they don’t want contaminated mud or bird poop coming into the country and it’s possible you would get refused if they think it’s a risk.

Beyond the Logistics: What This Shoot Meant

The shoot itself went brilliantly, we created lifestyle imagery that celebrated dogs and places which welcome dogs with open arms.

But what made this trip truly memorable was what it represented: proof that the dream I’d written down years ago was completely achievable.

I left The Netherlands with more than photos, I left with renewed confidence, and a vision to continue offering pet brand photography across the UK and Europe.

If you’re a pet or lifestyle brand looking for photography that captures your story, wherever you are, I’d love to chat.

Let’s make your brand look like a big player, one photoshoot at a time.
Email me at kerry@furandfables.com or visit www.furandfables.com

UK Commercial Pet Photographer working Worldwide with Pet Brands

I recently had a shoot with a client who had a lot of great business experience but had never worked with a professional photographer before.

After the shoot, they made a comment that made me realise something I’d overlooked, something I assumed that I probably shouldn’t have.

Most of my clients and I work closely together before the shoot, so they understand my style and how I can help them. But this particular client came to me a bit more ‘cold,’ and I hadn’t explained the key differences between a product shoot and a commercial shoot.

So, what is the difference between a commercial photoshoot and a product one?

Well, here’s what I think, but I’d love to hear your thoughts too!

A product shoot focuses entirely on showcasing the product itself. The backgrounds are simple and clean, the colours need to be accurate, and the details are shot from multiple angles so potential buyers can see exactly what they’re getting with no surprises. The ‘white background’ setup can work really well here. This is not something I offer as it’s a very specific skill set and needs to be done well – I know a few photographers who do a brilliant job of it who I have referred clients to so I don’t feel the need to branch out.

A commercial shoot, on the other hand, is where the storytelling and lifestyle element come into play. While the product is still featured with different angles and close-ups, it’s shown in more real-life scenarios. The product doesn’t have to be the main focus but instead contributes to an emotional or aspirational story. It’s about creating an image that allows people to imagine themselves using the product in their own lives.

It’s funny how something so simple as explaining the difference between a product and commercial shoot can make such a difference in client expectations. It’s a good reminder that clear communication is key, especially when working with new clients who haven’t had a professional photoshoot experience before.

Which style of photoshoot should you choose for your pet brand?

Ideally, both! Each has its own unique purpose, and they complement each other well. However, if you need to choose just one, I recommend looking at what’s most important for your brand right now. Whether you’re focused on showcasing the details of your product or telling a deeper story about your brand, that should help you with your decision.

If you have any questions about how a commercial shoot for your pet brand can help you, feel free to drop me an email to Kerry@furandfables.com – I’d love to hear from you!

 

UK Commercial Pet Photographer working Worldwide with Pet Brands

I think the first thing to mention, the rule which I stand by, is to go into this kind of event expecting nothing in return. Even before I decided to focus all my attention on commercial pet photography, I was already building relationships within the pet industry. I genuinely loved hearing about the people behind the brands and how they started.

As an example, I got to know The Innocent Pet Company many years ago because their treats were a revelation to me – high end, luxury, high meat content – a quality product which I wanted to gift to my pet portrait clients. I championed the company when I could, and when I decided to go down the pet brand photography path, they were the first people I approached. We’ve now had several shoots together, and more in the pipeline!

Networking has got a bit of a bad rep over the last few years. When I googled ‘what do people think about networking’ the top result was a page by St Olafs collage entitled ‘Why are people often uncomfortable with the word Networking’ The first paragraph reads: “Many people are uncomfortable with the word “networking.”  When they think of networking, they imagine a pushy, aggressive person who connects with people to achieve selfish goals and gives nothing back.  In other words, when many people think of networking, they think of “using” people.”

I was probably one of those people who shuddered at the thought of networking but I’ve realised recently that I have a super power, and that power is called Relationship Building.

I hadn’t really thought about it as a super power, but after speaking to a few people who were impressed that I had clients I’ve been working with for 8+ years, I started looking at what I was doing and why it was working, and after booking a call with FOMO creator May King Tsang on how I can use this to my advantage, we came up with a strategy (another word which usually makes me shudder) on how, as someone who feels a bit awkward about approaching people, I was going to create a buzz around Crufts.

Unleash the Power of Networking: A Mindful Approach to Making Meaningful Connections with Busy Stallholders at Crufts

Pre Networking

About 2 weeks before Crufts, I started searching the hashtag on socials, including LinkedIn and enthusiastically engaging with brands and people whose values seemed to align with my own. I could have just engaged with as many as possible which would have been less time consuming, but there was a point to doing a bit of high end research at the start, which will be revealed later!

I didn’t just ‘like’, and I tried not to leave one word comments because I wanted to start conversations. Again, a bit more time consuming, but if you want to build longer term relationships, people need to remember you, and just putting ‘great!’ as a comment isn’t something they will remember you by.

Make it about them, not you

On the call with May King, I started thinking about how I could actually give some value to the people I wanted to speak to, and so came about a free Crufts content offer.

I know how busy it can get on stalls at this kind of event, and I know that content can go out of the window so I published an offer that I would come and take photos and videos, for free, of the stall, the dogs coming to the stall and interactions with customers – I quickly got my target filled and had to close the offer! This meant that people not only knew who I was, but were expecting me! As an introvert, this was a dream come true.

So think about how you can help those people you want to meet. Remember they are people and not a pay cheque. Can you take a box of sweets or biscuits to keep up their energy? Is there something you, as an expert can, do to help during, pre or post Crufts?

Be recognisable in advance

I got lucky with this one. I attended the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday event a week earlier, and before the event someone posted a brilliant glowing lanyard with their logo and QR code from Surefyre Designs. I missed seeing them at the event, but as soon as I got back I ordered one. I’m a bit of a nerd and got far too excited about when it arrived and started posting it on Social – because it was something a bit different it became a real talking point.

The lovely Helena from Poochie Park posted that she had freshly dyed purple hair, and guess what, I spotted her in the vast expanse of Crufts!

Obviously you don’t need to be that extreme, branded clothing can work too, but remember there will be a lot of people with branded items, so can you make it stand out a little? What ever you do, show it on social media before and, talk about it, so you are almost priming people to recognise you.

On the Day

Go early

I got to Crufts as early as I could, it would have been earlier if it wasn’t for traffic! It’s less likely to be busy at the start, I also went on the Thursday to network as that’s a slower day.

Make it about them, not you

I know I have said this before, but it needs saying again. People pay a lot of money for stalls, and the last thing they want is someone selling to them when the reason they came is to engage with new and existing customers and spread the word about their amazing product or service.

Know their business.

If you really want to build a connection, know their business and be genuinely interested – you can’t fake this stuff. Every brand I went to at Crufts, there was something I admired about their product. As an example, I’ve known about The Golden Paste Company for a while and I am blown away by the quality of their ingredients and how they talk about how they source the Tumeric on their website, or the that SnifSnax were being sustainable years before it became more mainstream.

Don’t give out your business card

I know this might seem counter intuitive, but unless someone asked, or showed a genuine interest, I didn’t give out a card. I want to work with people and brands who want to work with me and are at the right place at the right time, and so when I did give out my flyer, I knew it was because they wanted it.

Don’t take up too much time

However you decide to approach and network with brands at Crufts, don’t assume just because the stall is quiet that they don’t have other things to do. Be mindful of the time you are taking up.

Be aware of customers

I was very conscious of customers coming to the stand, and if I was chatting to the people on the stall – I’d excuse myself and say I’d come back later, the customers are much more important than me! Or if they are talking to customers already, I’d chat to other customers who were waiting, talking about the brand (because you have done the pre-networking research!), what we love about them – it helps create an experience for the customers while they are waiting, and also helps keep them on the stand for the stall holders!

Buy from them

If you are able, buy from the brand while you are there. It shows that you really do love what they do, and are willing to spend money on it. It also shows that it’s not about you, it’s about them.

Can you make introductions?

I made several introductions between brands while I was at Crufts, people who I thought might be able to help each other out, have a collaboration or somehow work together.

Create a buzz by meeting with other pet industry proffesionals.

I was lucky enough to be part of a SBS winners WhatsApp group set up by Rachel Spencer who has the brilliant Pets Get Visible membership – so those of us who were going to Crufts decided to meet up, and we invited a few other pet businesses brands too. It was nice and informal, but if you are in the pet industry, you know how rare it is to get to meet other pet professionals face to face and it’s a real treat!

Get people talking about it before hand, the more the merrier, and remember to tag and share a group photo so that you spread the love.

What would I do differently next time?

I’d start the pre networking earlier, gentle touch points before starting the conversations about 3 weeks before.

When it comes to the my actual offering, I’m going to approach more brands who I really want to work to see if they would like to use the offer before opening up it up to others. I will be more specific with the photography shots I take as I know what is more useful to the brands. I’d also print of a map of the halls because I think I spent just as much time wandering round lost as I did talking to people!

Final thoughts

My main reason for networking in this way is that I have never really felt comfortable about just going up to someone and introducing myself to people I’d like to work with to talk about how I can help them. Believe me, I’ve attempted many different ‘tried and tested’ techniques, which I’m sure work for some people, but just made me feel cringy and awkward.

I really believe that although this face to face contact can be so impactful if done in the right way.

Further reading

Never Eat Alone – this book made me so happy as it reinforces a lot of the type of Networking aka Relationship Building I already do.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People – not an easy or light read, but one you will bookmark with 100’s of tabs and go back to constantly.

How to win friends and influence people – it sounds a bit like a book which might use underhand ways, but it’s another brilliant book about how to build genuine connections and how to bring about win win situations.

I’d love to know if you found this helpful and if you have any networking tips of your own!

Kerry x