These shots of the irrepressible Laylah the Jack Russell Terrier and her considerably more composed housemate Saffy came from a session in the inner north a while back — but they’re too good to stay in the archive. I stumbled across them whilst organising some older work and they made me laugh all over again, so here they are.
I love the contrast between these two. Laylah doesn’t sit still. If she’s not yapping at something she’s throwing herself into the local creek — just because she can. Saffy, on the other hand, is a very calm and elegant cat who pads around the house with quiet authority and definitely doesn’t throw herself into any creeks.
Photographing dogs and cats together in the same session is always an exercise in managing very different energies, and these two were a perfect example of that. You spend twenty minutes chasing a Jack Russell around a park and then take two minutes with a cat who simply sits wherever the light is best and looks magnificent. The contrast in the final edit always tells a great story.
Saffy on the other hand is a very calm and elegant cat who pads around the house and definitely doesn’t throw herself in any creeks!
About Jack Russell Terriers
If you’ve never owned a Jack Russell, Laylah will give you a fairly accurate preview of what you’re signing up for. Developed in England in the early 19th century by Reverend John Russell as a working fox terrier, the breed has changed remarkably little in the intervening two hundred years — which is a polite way of saying they still have the energy, tenacity, and singular bloody-mindedness of a dog bred to chase foxes out of their dens.
They are small in stature and enormous in personality. Jack Russells are fearless, lightning-quick, highly intelligent, and almost pathologically curious. They will investigate everything, challenge anything, and outrun most dogs twice their size. They are also deeply loyal and enormously affectionate with their people — the same dog who terrorised the park will curl up in your lap that evening like a perfect angel.
From a photography perspective, Jack Russells are one of the more challenging breeds to work with — and one of the most rewarding when you get it right. The key is to embrace the chaos. Trying to pose a Jack Russell for a static portrait is a lesson in frustration. But follow them with a camera in burst mode, get low, and let them be entirely themselves — and you’ll end up with images that are full of personality and life. Laylah was a perfect example of this.
Shooting in Coburg and Brunswick
The inner north is one of my favourite parts of Melbourne to shoot in, and Coburg and Brunswick in particular offer a great mix of environments within a short radius of each other.
Coburg Lake Reserve is an underrated location — the lake provides a natural backdrop, there’s open grass for dogs to stretch out, and the tree-lined paths give you good shade and varied light at most times of day. It’s also off-leash in sections, which makes a real difference when you’re working with an energetic dog who needs to burn off some steam before they’ll slow down enough to photograph.
Merri Creek Trail runs through both suburbs and offers some beautiful natural settings — the creek itself, overhanging vegetation, open grassland. It’s particularly good in the golden hour when the light through the trees is extraordinary. Laylah’s enthusiasm for the local creek was entirely consistent with what I’ve seen from other dogs on this trail — it’s irresistible to them.
Brunswick’s streetscapes also offer something different for dogs who suit an urban backdrop — interesting walls, good colour, the kind of texture that gives a photo a sense of place. Not every dog suits this style, but for certain breeds and personalities it’s a great option that feels genuinely Melbourne.
If you’re based in Coburg, Brunswick, Fitzroy North, Northcote or anywhere in the inner north and you’re thinking about a pet photography session, I know the area well and have a handful of go-to locations depending on your dog’s personality and energy level. Get in touch and we can work out the right spot for you.
Pet photography sessions with Pupparazzi start from $150 and cover Melbourne and surrounds. View packages and pricing here.
