Memorialising your pet through photography

Going for a walk in the garden together. Photo by Becky Rui

There are portrait photographers and nature photographers. There are those who document events and gatherings like weddings (and funerals) and those who specialise in family photography. And then there is Becky Rui, who took the courageous decision to accept a request from a woman in anticipatory grief, wanting to document a day in the final weeks with her best friend. 

Knowing there was no time for do-overs, she understood my needs and enthusiastically (yet with a gentle demeanour towards the main star of the show) agreed to photograph our family on one of the last weekends we had with our best friend.

I never wanted it to be a saccharine collection of photos like the usual pet photography you see out there, perfectly manicured and edited to the whiskers. The photos needed to show the depth of love between the three of us, especially during the winter of Lewis’s life. 

Because let’s face it, we’re all too happy to document those first years of our pets’ lives, when they go on adventures and get up to no good hunting for toys and treats. But when our companions get to the later stages of life, they don’t do that much funny stuff anymore, and look a bit scruffy too. So, we forget to document those moments when we’re just relaxing together on the sofa, perfectly content to be in each other’s presence.

Becky never did such a project before; she specialises in personal brands. Her natural, soulful approach really spoke to me. So, I asked her to take the leap - which she did! Here are just a few examples of her eye for beauty and storytelling.

Where to start when choosing pet photography

If you are considering memorialising the bond between your companion and yourself, ask yourself these questions:

🧡 What is the story that I would like the photos to tell?

🧡 What are my mixed-species family’s routines & rituals that are worth gold to me?

🧡 Where does my ageing (read: sore, tired) friend feel most comfortable?

These photos are for you to keep and look at when they are no longer physically with you. That doesn’t mean the photos need to show them in poses and places where they don’t feel at ease. It’s the seemingly mundane events you will want to remember.

For Lewis, that was the enthusiasm when spotting his hairbrush, cuddling up together in bed (also my happy place), head butting Jamie in the face (bunting or “noddling” as we affectionately call it) and going for a walk together.

Brushing time! Photo by Becky Rui

Sies.

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About me

My name is Sieske Valk (pronounced as Sees-kuh Falk). I started my career as a veterinary nurse in the Netherlands. After a short stint working as a social science researcher, I set up an animal care company in London, called Sies Petcare. This grew into Autumn Animals, the UK’s first holistic palliative and hospice care organisation. Trained as an end-of-life doula for companion animals, I supported numerous families through the autumn of their furry friend’s life, and after. I live with Lewis the cat (19) and husband Jamie, in beautiful Devon.

I now support veterinary businesses that want to improve their palliative and hospice services and support their team through challenging cases. If you’d like to have a chat about this, go to www.calendly.com/autumnanimals or visit autumnanimals.com for more information.