The Story
There has never been a time when dogs weren’t part of my life.
Growing up, they were always there - muddy paws, wagging tails, and that quiet loyalty that only dogs seem to give so naturally. They were family long before I ever thought about photography.
When I first picked up a camera, it started as a creative outlet. It didn’t take long before I realised something: the moments I loved capturing most were always the ones with animals.
The expressions that appear for just a split second. The way a dog looks at their person. The little quirks that make them completely unique.
That’s when photography stopped being just a hobby and became something much more meaningful.
Today, Ohana Pet Photography allows me to combine the two things I’ve always loved most - animals and storytelling.
Every dog I photograph has their own personality, their own energy, and their own special bond with their humans. My job isn’t just to take photos; it’s to capture that connection.
The goofy smiles. The soulful eyes. The quiet moments where your dog simply leans into you.
Those are the memories that matter.
And those are the memories I feel incredibly lucky to preserve.
Hi, I'm Laura - the person behind the camera at Ohana Pet Photography.
Animals have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up surrounded by dogs taught me early on just how special the bond between people and their pets really is. They’re there through everything - the ordinary days, the big life moments, and all the little memories in between.
Photography started as a creative passion, but it quickly became something much more meaningful when I realised I could combine it with the thing I love most: animals.
Today I’m incredibly lucky to work as a multi-award winning pet photographer, capturing the personalities and stories of dogs and their humans.
But awards aside, the most important part of what I do is creating images that feel like your pet.
The cheeky expressions.
The muddy paws.
The quiet moments where they look at you like you’re their whole world.
My sessions are designed to be relaxed and enjoyable for both pets and their owners. There’s no pressure for perfect behaviour - just patience, understanding, and a lot of treats and encouragement.
I want every client to walk away with photographs that make them smile years from now, remembering exactly who their pet was.
Because our pets may only be part of our lives…
…but to them, we are their entire world.
Lexy
Every photographer has a reason they first picked up a camera.
For me, a big part of that reason was Lexy, my black Labrador.
Like so many dogs, she quickly became far more than just a pet. She was part of everyday life - the muddy walks, the quiet evenings, the moments that feel small at the time but become so meaningful later.
Photographing her helped me realise something important: the moments we share with our dogs pass far too quickly.
And that’s exactly why these photographs matter.
They let us revisit those memories long after the moment has gone.
Things That Make Me Happy
Dogs
This one probably goes without saying.
Dogs have always been at the centre of my life. Their personalities, their loyalty, and the way they make every ordinary day better is something I’ll never take for granted.
They’re the reason Ohana Pet Photography exists.
Photography
Photography is the most powerful way I know to preserve memories.
Years from now, when life has changed and time has moved on, photographs allow us to return to those moments and remember exactly how they felt.
I love knowing that the images I create today may still be treasured decades from now.
Nature
Some of my happiest moments are the simplest ones.
Give me a dog, my camera, and a quiet woodland path and I’m completely content.
There’s something incredibly peaceful about being surrounded by trees, hearing the birds, and watching the light move through the leaves.
It’s one of the reasons I love photographing dogs outdoors so much.
Fire
Another thing I’ve always loved is fire.
The warmth, the sound of the flames, and the calm feeling it brings when you’re sitting beside it.
Some of my favourite memories are from Guide camps — gathering around the fire, toasting marshmallows, making s’mores, and sharing stories with friends.
Those moments always felt magical.
Guides
Guiding has actually been part of my life for a very long time.
I’ve been volunteering as a Guide leader since I was 15, and it’s something that means a huge amount to me.
Being able to help young people grow in confidence, learn new skills and create lasting memories is incredibly rewarding.
And of course, it’s also where many of those brilliant campfire memories come from.
Food
Two things I will always say yes to: French brie, pasta, and my mum’s roast dinners.
My mum is actually part of the Ohana experience too. She often helps at events and sometimes joins me on private sessions, and many of my clients already know her and absolutely adore her.
She’s part of the team.
The Sun
Not the blazing hot kind - because dog safety will always come first and I’ll never photograph a dog when it’s too hot.
But those gentle moments when the sun hits your face and everything suddenly feels warm and calm.
The birds are singing, the light is soft, and the world feels peaceful for a moment.
My In-Laws’ Garden
One of my favourite places to work is the wooden cabin in my in-laws’ garden.
Sometimes I’ll be editing photos while the rain taps gently on the roof, and other days the sun is shining and their chickens wander over to the door to say hello.
Pablo the cockerel is usually nearby too, happily cooing away.
It’s one of those quiet little places that makes running this business feel really special.
The Beach
The beach is only two minutes away from where I live, which means I’m lucky enough to see some incredible sunrises and sunsets.
Standing there with the sea stretching out in front of you has a way of making everything feel calm again.
The Stars
A sky full of stars always makes me pause.
No matter what time of year it is, seeing them reminds me how big and beautiful the world is — and how lucky we are to experience the little moments that make life special.
Singing
I've been singing since I was a little girl, from school choirs when I was little, to school concerts during high school, and now I'm in a band, and I get to perform rock & metal covers of my favourite songs alongside some of my favourite people and we all have so much fun doing what we love.