Fine Art Dog Photography in the City of London
A Vizla’s Sunrise Portrait Session
Where architectural dog portraits meet canine elegance in the heart of London
There’s something magical about the City of London at sunrise on a Sunday morning. The usual rush gives way to an almost ethereal quiet, creating the perfect space for capturing a dog in all their majestic (and occasionally ridiculous) glory. And this was precisely the setting for my recent session with Mouse, a beautiful 9-year-old Hungarian Vizla who has made quite the journey from America to the UK.
London Dog Portrait Session: Meeting Mouse
During our pre-session chat, Mouse’s mum told me all about her playful, bouncy, and expressive nature. Like many dogs, Mouse takes her time warming up to new humans. She’s not handing out her affection to just anyone, and that is perfectly fine. In fact, she did warm out pretty quickly after the food came out!
We talked about what makes Mouse, well, Mouse. Her mum immediately mentioned those characteristic Vizla wrinkles, and the sweet freckles and grey hairs that have appeared around her nose as she’s grown older. These weren’t just features to photograph – they’re what makes Mouse uniquely herself, her own kind of living art, so they went straight on our “must capture” list.
Sunrise Dog Photography in London
Why Early Morning Light Creates Magic
Yes, the lack of crowds is brilliant, but not for photography. So, when the sun shines over London (rare phenomenon, I know) it’s really about that gorgeous, golden light that spills over London’s buildings and gently illuminates a dog’s features in a way that midday sun just can’t touch.
And then there’s the vibe. The City, normally buzzing with bankers and briefcases, becomes this surreal private playground during those early weekend hours. It’s like having exclusive access to your own film set, and I love watching dog parents discover this hidden side of London alongside their dog. The only downside is that you’ll find it impossible to find a coffee. And you’ll definitely need one.
Architectural Dog Portraits
The Bank of England as the Perfect Backdrop
For Mouse’s session, we used The Royal Exchange and the Bank of England as our backdrop – two spots I absolutely adore for dog photography. These magnificent buildings offer loads of different photography opportunities, all with that clean, elegant look, without making our model trek halfway across London.
This is actually super important for a good session. With plenty of different shots available within a small area, we finished Mouse’s entire portfolio in just 45 minutes! This means she didn’t get fed up or bored – and, as we all know, even the most well-behaved dogs have their limits before pigeons become far more interesting than treats.
It’s also important to share that she was kept on the lead for the whole duration of her shoot. Safety first, always. After all, photo editing softwares exist for a reason.
Minimalist Dog Portrait Techniques
Patience, Teamwork, and Treats
Mouse might not be a professional model, but she certainly could have fooled me. Her mum just got her in a way that made everything flow – she always knew exactly how to position Mouse for the pose I had in mind. Between her mum’s guidance, some help from a friend, plenty of patience, and a fair few treats, Mouse posed beautifully without even realising she was “working” (can’t say the same about her mum, though).
We played around with intimate close-ups to capture those soulful eyes and adorable wrinkles, as well as wider shots showcasing her elegant silhouette against London’s historic buildings. Towards the end, we grabbed some sweet moments between Mouse and her mum, making sure to get that special nose shot we’d put on our must-have list.
City of London Dog Photography
Knowing When to Call It a Day
Any dog photographer knows there comes a moment when your subject has simply had enough. For Mouse, this happened when she started losing interest in posing, feeling quite satisfied (and honestly, full) from all the treats she’d earned. That’s always my cue that it’s time to wrap things up and send everyone off to enjoy the rest of their London weekend.
After all, dog photography should be fun for everyone involved, especially the dog! There’s something wonderfully honest about ending a session not because a timer went off, but because a dog basically says, “Right, I’ve given you my best angles, and now I’d like to go sniff something interesting, thanks very much”. Too right.
Hungarian Vizla Photography
Turning A Dog's Personality into Art
Every dog brings something uniquely theirs to a photography session. For Mouse, it was those expressive wrinkles, her dignified grey hairs, and that perfect mix of regal poise and playfulness that makes her so beautiful.
I love inviting dog parents to think what makes their dog a unique masterpiece. Maybe it’s that ridiculous ear flop when they tilt their head. Or how they somehow look deeply philosophical when they’re actually just thinking about dinner. Perhaps it’s the way they can look so elegant even while secretly plotting to chase after pigeons.
Every dog is art – both magnificent and ridiculous at the same time. Capturing that contradiction is what makes these City dog portraits so special.
kind words
What Mouse's Mum thought of her dog photography session
“Could not recommend Elena at Pawtiqe any more! She was so kind and brilliant with my dog, and incredibly flexible. The entire service from booking to end feels so luxurious and personalised – I would recommend this to anyone! I will definitely be coming back for another shoot in the future!”
Bespoke Dog Photography in London
Curious about seeing your dog transformed into living art against London’s architectural beauty? From our first conversation where we talk about what makes your dog uniquely them, to planning the perfect sunrise session, to the moment you see your finished portraits – every step celebrates your dog in all their simple uniqueness.
After all, all you have to do is admit your dog is a work of art.
