A world class dog portrait photographer has opened a new business just by Twickenham Green and I took Alfie along to check things out at the weekend.
When you enter the store you meet Charlie – a white French Bulldog. He’s the “Little”. Olivia, the great Dane, wasn’t in attendance on this occasion. Just as well as Alfie was struggling to cope just with Charlie who then kindly went off for a walk with co-owner Phil Sears.
The front of the store is all calm and doggy happiness. There’s a fluffy rug on the floor where your canine can lay down and watch Dog TV (dog programming from America) on their level. There’s a large bar area containing a variety of doggy bits and pieces and lining the wall behind are numerous jars of dog confection – it’s the pick’n’mix “Treat Bar”. Alfie, who can be rather fussy, was addicted to the crunchy duck and plum ones in a moment. These treats – including single meats and baked versions - are sourced from UK companies.
There are some interesting products – most of which are from the USA. I was happy to spot the British Pooch & Mutt ethical treats which are now a firm favourite in our house.
There were some training DVDs and harnesses by Victoria Stillwell as well as some of her tee shirts for humans. Although I rather fell in love with co-owner J Nicole Smith’s tee shirt design which state “Dog. Codependent”. I need one of those.
The snuggle bed caught my eye – it can be used as a flat blanket, as a round cup/donut as a cushiony pod or – what would no doubt be Alfie’s favourite (as a burrowing Chihuahua) as a cave. A small one costs £45.99 and the larger version £65.99. But Alfie was now distracted experimenting with a ball treat dispenser.
Having looked at the cards and fridge magnets, I took a look at Nicole’s book which is called “Puppyhood”. This features life sized photos of six week old puppies of various breeds – some on their own but mostly in litters. The photos are dazzling and I gratefully accepted the offered calendar featuring selected shots. Puppy porn.
So we strolled into the rear part of the shop where the studio is located. The viridian on the walls adds a gentle (and outdoorsy) warmth to the stark white. Alfie is delighted that he is allowed to sit on the large viewing sofa here. We declined the offered lattes. And we watch together – quite entranced – a series of photos (set to music) of a recent studio client. They are of a handsome blue roan speckle coated spaniel and they are astonishing – capturing fine detail and conveying the personality of this little chap as well as if he were in the room with us. There are a couple of shots of him with his parents and they are photos that define a dog-happy family that would grace any home. Fine art even.
The photo shoots are not cheap. A weekday studio shoot with a framed table top print costs £199 and an on-location photo shoot with a framed print costs £249 in the week or £299 on weekends. Mind you, while I was there Nichole showed me a mini-album she had produced for the owner of a Husky dog who had sadly died of cancer shortly afterwards. It must be an enormous comfort to the owners to see their beautiful dog in so many amazing photos out and about in Battersea Park – looking really happy and completely at one with his owner.
www.mylittleandlarge.com
