Photography of Rebecca's dog Roxy an American staffy
In 2025 I said good bye to my pet dog Chilli after more than fifteen years together. One of the things I regret the most was not getting more photos taken of us together doing the things we enjoyed.
So I decided to create a new dog photography service to help other dog owners not make the same mistake that I did.
Yes everyone has lots of photos of their dog, but nearly every person I speak to doesn’t really have photos with their dog.
I got to meet Rebecca and Roxy her American Staffy via one of the local Facebook Groups after reaching out to the community for volunteers to have some test photos taken together with their dog.
The photo I took of the two of them with a steely gaze is one of my favourites from the session.
When Rebecca first contacted me her first message was
“Hey, I’ve gotta put my baby girl down in the next couple of days so maybe we can do some photos before I have to do that”
My heart sank, for a moment I didn’t actually know how to respond, what possible words could make her feel any better about the situation. As a pet parent I knew how she would be feeling, most likely putting on a brave face for her kids and of course her dog Roxy.
Although the opportunity to take photos of her senior dog Roxy would hopefully help during such an agonising time. After a few messages back and forth I also learnt it was Rebecca’s birthday so the emotional turmoil I can imagine would have been immense.
What has owning a dog like Roxy meant to Rebecca's life?
Rebecca first got Roxy in her teenage years after begging her dad for a dog for years, her dad made her write a resume for Roxy, listing all information about Roxy, Breed, Colour, Weight, and what she knew about the dog and then had to promise to look after her forever as her dad wasn’t going to do any of the work!
Rebecca got her neighbour to drive her out to Penrith to go and Pick Roxy up one weekend when her parents weren’t around and they came home to the surprise of the dog being there and they have been together for just over 16 years, Rebecca’s parents fell in love with Roxy, especially her Mum.
They have enjoyed a great life together, Roxy has been through it all with Rebecca through good and bad. In her own words she attributes being able to enjoy the life she has today due to the unconditional love she has received through her bond with Roxy, without Roxy she doesn’t know where she would have ended up.
In the last 12 months Rebecca felt that Roxy’s time on earth was drawing near, that soon she would take the walk over the rainbow bridge. Roxy’s mobility has become a challenge with spinal problems making it difficult to walk, but she has fought on, making it through Christmas and living to see Rebecca’s birthday.
While no pet parent wants to make the decision to let their loved one go, deep down Rebecca knew it was time. I think all pet owners sense it, the look in their eyes, the behavioural changes. As a human it becomes hard to let them go, especially when they have been a huge part of your life.
Black and white photos of Roxy the American Staffy
So this pet dog end of life photography photo shoot was very last minute, the initial idea was to try to do a session a few days after Rebecca’s birthday, maybe some photos with the kids in a park.
Although, as the morning rolled around Roxy didn’t feel like eating or drinking and her breathing became quite laboured.
We organised to take photos at a small grassy area outside her home in Ryde and make best use of the time available while Roxy was still feeling up to it. Even though Rebecca had to carry Roxy outside I was able to take a range of different photos to try capture the bond they had.
Roxy’s movements were limited but she patiently let us take photos as Rebecca held her and we actually managed to get her comfortable enough to take a few steps and walk around slowly.
What did Rebecca think of the photos I took of her dog Roxy?
“Thank you these are so precious…love the photos…
You were wonderful and these memories mean the world…and the session was lovely I called my friend Brittany after and was like message him if you haven’t he is easy going and made it feel completely normal moment and laid back…
it was just an easy session in such hard circumstances”
In memory of Chilli
This photography service was created in 2025 in memory of Chilli. Chilli was a rescue dog who spent just over fifteen years with me becoming my companion, best friend and someone I will miss dearly.
He enjoyed a great life and was a constant in my life through thick and thin, lived in many different places and even spent some time on the road experiencing van life. A Maltese Shih Tzu who looked like a teddy bear when his fur was long and a Dalmation when he was clipped short.
He is the reason that I now provide pet photography for dogs in Sydney either at your home, a local park or your chosen location. For senior pets I also offer end of life pet photography sessions as I will always regret not getting more photos taken with him and I together.
