The story of how I became a dog & family photographer in Auckland
When we packed our lives into suitcases and left South Africa in 2016, it wasn’t just a physical move—it was an emotional one too. My husband and I brought our young kids (1 and almost 3) to Auckland to build a safer, happier life. But one thing we couldn’t bring with us was Lily and Poppy, our beloved Labrador and Golden Retriever, who stayed behind with my mother-in-law on a small holding.
Family portrait with the birth of our first in 2013.
Family photo 2015 with our second little boy. The dogs are so proud and great at sitting for their picture!
It was gut-wrenching leaving them, and for a long time, I didn’t think I’d pick up my camera to photograph dogs again. It felt too painful to think of photographing dogs if I didn’t have my own girls with me.
Then one day, I came across Sophie Gamand’s flower crown portraits of rescue dogs. Her vibrant, soulful images lit something in me—a spark I thought was long gone. Inspired, I asked a new friend if I could experiment with her Schnauzer, Rocket.
I’d change a couple of things about this portrait, but it was the start of my NZ pet journey so this’ll stay special to me.
We placed him against a soft backdrop, added a faux flower wreath I made, and magic happened. Rocket’s sweet personality came alive in those photos—his quirks, his gentleness, his unmistakable doggy charm. I realized then that I needed to photograph dogs, not just for others, but for me.
Fast forward nearly nine years, and my camera has captured the stories of countless furry friends and their humans. Lily and Poppy have since crossed the rainbow bridge, but our NZ-born pup, Max, is now a cherished part of our family. We love him like he’s three dogs in one—Lily, Poppy, and Max combined.
Max, my baby dog Bichon cross Tibetan Spaniel pose for his flower portrait. This one is a large A2 print in my home. Max doesn’t often smile for photos so this one is extra special to me.
My mission? To make sure your furry family members are in your photos, too. These aren’t just snapshots—they’re memories frozen in time, printed and displayed in your home to bring joy every day. I make the process simple: no overwhelm, no endless files to sort through. Together, we’ll choose your absolute favorites and create artwork that feels just right for your family.
I made some new Christmas theme family photos for myself in 2024.
My son took this special one of my hubby, Max and I sharing a cuddle in the Auckland photo studio.
So here’s to celebrating your pack—paws, tails, and all.
Check out my dog and family photography if you’re looking to book a photoshoot in Auckland.