A Photography Session with Lurchers Pearl and Odie at Hogmoor Inclosure, Bordon, Hampshire
Earlier this year, I photographed two beautiful lurchers, Pearl and Odie, at Hogmoor Inclosure in Bordon, Hampshire.
Pearl had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and her owners got in touch to book a session while she was still feeling well. They wanted to capture her just as she was, happy, relaxed and surrounded by her family. We chose a location with plenty of variety but not too much walking, so Pearl could enjoy the session at her own pace.
Hogmoor offered the perfect balance. The sandy paths, quiet woodland and open spaces gave us a lovely mix of backdrops, all within a short distance from the car park. It’s a spot I often recommend for sessions with older dogs or those who need a gentler pace.
We created a mix of images that included portraits of each dog, photographs of them together and some quiet family moments too. Pearl had a calm and gentle presence, while Odie was full of character. You could see how close they were and how loved they are by their people.
After the session, the family chose a wall gallery to display their favourite images at home. It’s a thoughtful way to remember Pearl and to celebrate both dogs as a big part of their lives. You can see a photo of their finished artwork below.
Here’s what they said about the experience:
“We commissioned Clara to photograph our two lurchers, Pearl and Odie, in November 2024. Pearl was terminally ill, so we wanted some images to remember her by. It was a real pleasure to work with Clara, who was very sensitive to our situation and super-professional from start to finish. The initial consultation was very thorough, with Clara really taking the trouble to understand our requirements and what to expect of the dogs. Her choice of venue was perfect and, on the day of the shoot, we were really impressed with how she coaxed star performances from both dogs (we were sceptical that it would be possible to keep them still long enough to capture any shots at all!).
During the online 'reveal' of the images, Clara very helpfully talked us through the various options for printing, finishing and framing. We took delivery of the finished products this morning and couldn't be happier with the results.
The images certainly tug at the heartstrings now Pearl is no longer with us, but they'll be a daily reminder of how lucky we were to have her.
If you're looking for a professional photographer for your dogs, I can't recommend Clara highly enough.”
If your dog is getting older, living with illness or you’re simply ready to document this stage in their life, I offer relaxed outdoor photo sessions across Hampshire and surrounding areas. Every session is shaped around your dog’s needs so they feel comfortable and at ease throughout.
