MIDLANDS DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

“The cat will mew, and the dog will have his day.” Did you know that Shakespeare mentions dogs several hundred times in his plays? Dogs have long been used as metaphors in writing for determination and loyalty; a fitting metaphor, as I’m sure any dog lover would agree.

Tails of Warwickshire, written and photographed by Steph Alexander, celebrates local dogs in the heart of Shakespeare’s England. Steph published her fundraising book in 2022 AND participated in the global Tails of the World project. Pet photographers around the world united to raise over $20,000 for animals in need.

From the fresh open countrywide of Hartshill Hayes to the medieval Coombe Abbey and Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, there was certainly no shortage of stunning locations for Steph and her four-legged models to explore. They raised £450 for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Nellie Stratford-Upon-Avon

Sweet Nellie was born on Christmas Day, 2021. She loves a little drop of goat’s milk as a treat every so often, and woofs down her food as well. Nellie is little but mighty and has a wonderful sniffing nose on her. Her family live around Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is steeped in history, as the birthplace of Shakespeare.

This quintessentially British town is built along the River Avon and boasts traditional Tudor-style houses with black timber beams and steeply pitched gable roofs. There is no better place to enjoy the perks of Warwickshire; Think bunting, canal boats and street markets.

Buster Great Central Walk in Rugby

Handsome Buster the Border Terrier had his photo session at the Great Central Walk, which was once the route of one of the last Victorian Railways in the West Midlands. Completed in 1899, the walk is now a nature reserve for many different species of rare and endangered wildlife, with the impressive arches of the remaining Victorian bridges framing the walk.

Little Buster is a bundle of fun, with loooots of energy. His favourite type of weekend involves a sleepy morning in his pawrents' bed, followed by a walk and splashing in muddy puddles, then finishing off with some pork scratchings in the pub (because he get lots of treats there). Buster's Mum says he would be a professional sniffer dog, if he had a job, because you can’t hide a treat from him even when he's sleeping!

Louie Coombe Abbey in Coventry

If lovely Louis could talk, every sentence would begin and end with Dad. There is no one in the world that he adores more. At 11yo, this gorgeous old boy enjoyed regular stick chewing intervals and the occasional lie down to people and pup watch at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

Coombe Abbey was once a the largest monastery in Warwickshire in the 12th Century. It has housed royals, been part of the Gunpowder Plot and was even surrendered to King Henry VIII as part of the dissolution of the monasteries. It is now a hotel and a well-loved place for families to visit, with riverside walks, open fields and woodland within its grounds.

Buster

Handsome Buster the Border Terrier had his photo session at the Great Central Walk, which was once the route of one of the last Victorian Railways in the West Midlands. Completed in 1899, the walk is now a nature reserve for many different species of rare and endangered wildlife, with the impressive arches of the remaining Victorian bridges framing the walk.

Little Buster is a bundle of fun, with loooots of energy. His favourite type of weekend involves a sleepy morning in his pawrents' bed, followed by a walk and splashing in muddy puddles, then finishing off with some pork scratchings in the pub (because he get lots of treats there). Buster's Mum says he would be a professional sniffer dog, if he had a job, because you can’t hide a treat from him even when he's sleeping!

Jessie

Jessie the Labrador is a people pet, she prefers humans to other dogs. She will always say hello and is the goodest girl if you present her with a treat. Her favourite treat is carrots, so I absolutely did not feel guilty giving her endless rewards for sitting so patiently during our session at Hartshill Hayes Country Park.

Hartshill is a woodland area, known for its glorious carpet of stunning bluebells in the Spring, and spectacular views across the local fields and hills on a clear day. Jessie's session took place just as the bluebells were beginning to fade and the yellow blooms of dandelions turned to clocks.

Louis

If lovely Louis could talk, every sentence would begin and end with Dad. There is no one in the world that he adores more. At 11yo, this gorgeous old boy enjoyed regular stick chewing intervals and the occasional lie down to people and pup watch at Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

Coombe Abbey was once a the largest monastery in Warwickshire in the 12th Century. It has housed royals, been part of the Gunpowder Plot and was even surrendered to King Henry VIII as part of the dissolution of the monasteries. It is now a hotel and a well-loved place for families to visit, with riverside walks, open fields and woodland within its grounds.

Nellie

Sweet Nellie was born on Christmas Day, 2021. She loves a little drop of goat’s milk as a treat every so often, and woofs down her food as well. Nellie is little but mighty and has a wonderful sniffing nose on her. Her family live around Stratford-Upon-Avon, which is steeped in history, as the birthplace of Shakespeare.

This quintessentially British town is built along the River Avon and boasts traditional Tudor-style houses with black timber beams and steeply pitched gable roofs. There is no better place to enjoy the perks of Warwickshire; Think bunting, canal boats and street markets.

Chilli

Whatever the weather, wherever the place, as long as there is a ball to be chased or food to be munched, Chilli will be in her element. She's an energetic and athletic Fox Red lab, who loves nothing more than being outdoors with her pack.

The Lake District is known for its stunning lakes, forests and mountains with soul warming walks to suit both avid hikers and those that prefer country strolls. This made it the perfect place for Chilli to run, swim and explore to her heart's content. Famous writers, such as, Beatrix Potter, the children's author, and William Wandsworth, the Poet, have taken inspiration from the breathtaking views that can be seen in every direction.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Hey there! It's very nice to meet you! My name is Steph. I specialise in on-location & at-home photography of the gorgeous dogs that call The Midlands their home! Like most, I think there's nothing better in the world than coming home to a happily wagging tail, a drooling smile and a demand for a belly rub.

Sadly I have no longer have a fur family of my own at the moment so I'm currently living through all of the lovely clients that allow me to spend time shooting their absolutely beautiful pups.

Whilst photography is at everyone's fingertips these days, there is something very special about being the one to capture wonderfully heartwarming moments between people and their pets.

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Author: Caitlin J. McColl

Caitlin J. McColl is the multi-award winning artist behind Ragamuffin Pet Photography, author of five dog-filled books and founder of the Tails of the World Collective. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two boys and a scruffy family of rescued animals. She’s a bit of an introvert, a lot of a dork, and so very passionate about making a difference for pets in need.

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